MONROE, La. – Trailing by one with two outs and runners on the corners, Kodie Tidwell attempted to steal home, but was called out on a close play at the plate giving Stephen F. Austin an 8-7 win in the series finale Sunday afternoon at Warhawk Field.
The Warhawks move to 3-3 on the season after taking two of three from the Lumberjacks (2-6) in the series.
SFA jumped on the board first with a pair of unearned runs in the third inning.
In the bottom half of the frame, ULM would take advantage of a pair of singles up the middle to take a 3-2 lead. Tidwell got the scoring started with a two-run single. The junior shortstop then stole second base to set up a Keelin Rasch RBI single.
Back-to-back singles by Cody Stone and Tidwell in the fifth put a pair of runners on for Rasch who continued his hot streak with a two-run double to left center to make it 5-2 in favor of the Warhawks.
However, the Lumberjacks retook the lead with a pair of three-run innings in the sixth and eighth innings, respectively.
Trailing 8-5 in the bottom half of the eighth, ULM answered back with two runs of its own to make it a one run ballgame. Josh Faciane doubled down the left field line to drive in Danny Springer before eventually coming around to score on a throwing miscue by SFA.
Starter Brayden Bouchey got the no decision after allowing two hits and two runs, none earned in five innings of work. Anthony Herrera (0-1) was tagged with the loss as the sophomore gave up three runs on five hits in 1.2 innings.
Freshman Keegan Curtis relieved Herrera and followed up his first career win with 1.2 innings of shutout ball.
Grant Page (1-0) tossed three scoreless innings in relief to earn his first win of the season after SFA starter Eric Polivka exited early with five runs in four innings coming off his belt. Tyler Wiedenfeld earned his second save of the season as he pitched the final 1.1 innings.
For updates throughout the season on the baseball squad, be sure to follow the squad on Twitter @ULM_BSB.
#PeddiePostGame
“We were able to swing it well this weekend, but we still have a few guys that are still trying to figure it out. We will continue to come to work and continue to improve.”
#WarhawkNotables
-Brayden Bouchey made his Warhawk debut in a starter role… The sophomore logged five strong innings, allowing just two unearned runs during 59-pitch outing.
-Kodie Tidwell recorded his second straight multi-hit and multi-RBI game as he tallied two hits and two RBI… He scored two runs as well.
-Keelin Rasch drove in three runs in the loss to the Lumberjacks.
-ULM's 2-3-4 hitters combined for six hits in the series finale.
-Josh Faciane tallied two hits and two RBI.
-Anthony Herrera made his fifth appearance of the season with 1.2 innings of work.
#NextGame
ULM will wrap-up its season-opening seven game home stand on Tuesday night as it welcomes Southern Miss to Warhawk Field for a 6 p.m. contest.
