JONESBORO, Ark. – A ninth-inning, bases-loaded chopper to the right spot in the infield was enough for Arkansas State to edge ULM 5-4 in Sunday's series finale.
A Joe Schrimpf leadoff triple preceded two intentional walks in the final frame. Neil Lambert's one-out chopper over the pitcher's mound was just out of reach for ULM to force extra innings and keep the winning run from scoring.
The Warhawks scored three runs over the fifth and sixth innings to go up 3-2. The ball didn't leave the infield in the fifth, as two walks and a sacrifice bunt by Anthony Herrera set the stage. Spencer Hemphill's RBI groundout up the middle moved everyone up 90 feet, and Cade Stone soon after scored on a wild pitch to the backstop.
Danny Springer led off the sixth with a double to the left field corner and Nathan Pugh followed with a single between third base and shortstop. The Red Wolves turned to the bullpen and Nathan Reynolds scored Springer on a first-pitch squeeze bunt.
Jeremy Brown's pinch-hit two-run triple in the sixth took back the lead that ULM claimed in the top half of the frame, 4-3.
The last pitch of Reynolds' eighth-inning, four-pitch walk moved Pugh over to third. Cody Stone then tied the afternoon with a squeeze-bunt single.
The bottom of the eighth saw Arkansas State load the bases with one out via two hit-by-pitches and a walk, but Herrera induced two ground balls that ended the threat.
Herrera was charged with the loss. Keegan Curtis got the spot start and went a season-high five innings, allowing no earned runs while walking one and striking out five.
Diamond Notes…
-ULM got the leadoff man aboard each of the first eight innings.
-The Warhawks' seven walks were their most since having nine against Jackson State (April 5).
-Keegan Curtis' career-high seven innings came against the Red Wolves in April 2015. It was his second start of the week (Wednesday vs. Mississippi State in Biloxi).
-Nathan Pugh's three-hit game was the 11th of his career.
-Danny Springer went 5-for-9 on the weekend with four doubles, two hit-by-pitches and a walk.
-Anthony Herrera's three sacrifice hits the most by a Warhawk on the year. The team had a season-high three twice on the year.
Up Next…
ULM will travel to Nacogdoches, Texas for a 6:30 p.m. Tuesday contest at Stephen F. Austin.
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).
