MONROE, La. -- ULM led 4-2 going to the top of the eighth, but Appalachian State scored a trio of unearned runs to claim a 5-4 win and even the weekend series on Friday night at Warhawk Field.
Appalachian State (5-18, 1-7 Sun Belt) scored first as the visiting club pushed across two runs in the top half of the third inning. Tyler Stroup drove in one with a RBI groundout and Brian Bauk scored on a fielding error.
ULM (9-13, 1-4) responded with three runs in the bottom of the third to take a 3-2 lead. Anthony Herrera got things going with a one-out solo homer to left while Danny Springer (RBI double) and Josh Faciane (RBI single) each drove in a run to give the Warhawks the lead.
In the fifth, the Warhawks pushed the lead to 4-2 as Nathan Pugh led off the inning with a double to center field and came in to score on Jacob Stockton's RBI single up the middle.
Brayden Bouchey retired the first seven batters he faced to start the game and then retired the final nine batters he saw before giving way to Keller Bradford after a career-long outing of seven innings. Bouchey, who earned a no-decision, allowed just one hit and one earned run (two total) while walking two and striking out a career-best 12 batters.
Bradford (1-2) was charged with the loss as Appalachian State scored three unearned runs over the final two innings, including two runs with two outs in the top of the ninth inning to claim the 5-4 win.
Appalachian State reliever Reed Howell (2-1) earned the win after allowing just one hit during his four innings of work.
Diamond Notes…
- Anthony Herrera hit his second homer of the season, a solo shot over the wall in left in the bottom of the third inning.
- Brayden Bouchey recorded a career-best 12 strikeouts in Friday's game vs. Appalachian State. He also set a career-high with seven innings pitched.
- Jacob Stockton finished 3-for-5 at the plate with one RBI.
- Josh Faciane tallied two hits and drove in one run.
- Nathan Pugh scored a pair of runs in Friday's contest.
- The Warhawks are now 2-2 in games that take place on Friday.
Up Next…
ULM and Appalachian State will square off in the series finale tomorrow afternoon with first pitch set for 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).
