DALLAS -- The ULM baseball team was unable to get ahold of No. 26 Dallas Baptist on Saturday, falling 6-1 and 7-3 in a series-opening doubleheader.
It marked back-to-back weekends that the squad had to move a home series to the Lone Star State due to weather conditions in Monroe. The Warhawks faced off with Texas State from March 12-13.
No. 26 Dallas Baptist 6, ULM 1
ULM threatened in the top half of the first inning as Anthony Herrera singled and later moved to third when Jacob Stockton reached on an error. The Warhawks were unable to push any runs across as a strikeout ended the frame.
The two clubs traded zeros until the bottom of the third when Dallas Baptist broke through with a single run. With two outs, the Patriots got a single from Justin Wall and then after back-to-back errors, Austin Listi drove in the game's first run.
Two innings later, Dallas Baptist extended its lead to 3-0. The Patriots scored one on a sacrifice fly with the other coming on a bases loaded hit-by-pitch. Between the sixth and seventh innings Dallas Baptist scored three runs to increase its lead to 6-0.
The Warhawks scored their lone run of the contest in the top of the ninth inning. Herrera drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on a single through the right side by Spencer Hemphill. With two outs, Herrera was able to race home when Nathan Pugh reached on an error by first baseman Tim Millard.
ULM starter Chris Hunt (1-2) was tagged with the loss after allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks with three punchouts in 4.2 innings of work.
Patriot starter Darick Hall (3-1) earned the win after allowing zero runs on three hits and one walk in eight innings of work.
No. 26 Dallas Baptist 7, ULM 3
The Warhawks drew first blood in the top of the second. Jacob Stockton doubled to the left center gap and went to third on Danny Springer's single. Nathan Pugh took a hit-by-pitch to load the bases with nobody out. Two batters later, Brian Barefoot grounded out to the mound and drove in Stockton as well.
The Patriots came back with a run in the bottom half of the frame and then had a leadoff double and single in the third. A squeeze bunt by Connor Hall and sacrifice fly by Justin Wall upped their advantage to 4-1.
Jameson Hannah's two-run double began the Patriots' three-run seventh inning that ultimately gave them a 7-1 lead.
Colin Poche pitched seven innings for DBU and gave up three hits. Brayden Bouchey took the loss for the Warhawks after giving up three earned runs and four hits in 5 1/3 innings.
ULM plated two runs in the top of the eighth to get within 7-3. Brian Barefoot singled on the first pitch of the stanza and Josh Faciane produced a full-count walk. Anthony Herrera then singled to shortstop before an error on the play put two Warhawks in scoring position for Spencer Hemphill, whose groundout scored the second run of the inning.
Diamond Notes...
-ULM had its second doubleheader of the year, both on the road in consecutive weekends, after having seven last year (8-6 record).
-Anthony Herrera hit safely in each contest. He had played the field just once since March 1 against Valparaiso (nine games) coming into Saturday.
-Jacob Stockton entered the day second in the Sun Belt for walks and drew one in the nightcap as well.
-Nate Pugh had his fifth hit-by-pitch of the season. He also had one on Wednesday at McNeese State.
-Spencer Hemphill's 2-for-4 outing in the first game led the team.
-Brayden Bouchey and Chris Hunt made their 13th and 16th starts, respectively, of their ULM careers.
Up Next…
The Warhawks and Patriots will match up again Sunday at 1 p.m.
For updates on the baseball squad, be sure to follow the team on Twitter @ULM_BSB, Facebook (www.facebook.com/ULMBaseball) and Instagram (@ULM_BSB).
