MONROE, La. -- Despite matching South Alabama with 17 hits, the ULM baseball team fell to the visiting Jaguars, 12-4, in the series opener Friday night at Warhawk Field.
South Alabama scored a single run in the top of the first as Bud Collura delivered a sacrifice fly to center allowing Cole Billingsley to score.
ULM threatened in the bottom of the first as the Warhawks loaded the bases with two outs, but the Warhawks were unable to score in the frame.
Highlighted by a four-run fourth inning, the Jaguars scored seven runs over the next three innings to push the lead to 8-0.
After South Alabama increased the lead to 11-0 in the fifth, the Warhawks broke through with a pair of runs as Justin Stawychny drove in two with a RBI single up the middle. South Alabama scored one run in the top of the ninth and ULM scored a pair to set the final tally at 12-4 in favor of the Jaguars. Brian Barefoot and Robbie Podorsky each scored in the ninth inning for ULM.
Alex Hermeling was tagged with the loss after allowing three earned runs (five total) on six hits and two walks with one strikeout in three innings on the hill. Kodie Tidwell led the Warhawks at the plate as he was a perfect 4-for-4 and scored one run.
The two teams will battle again tomorrow night with first pitch slated for 6 p.m.
For updates throughout the season on the baseball squad, be sure to follow the team on Twitter @ULM_BSB and Facebook (www.facebook.com/ULMBaseball).
