CARBONDALE, Ill. – Chad Bell went 2-for-4 and drove in three runs, including the game-winning two-run double in the top of the ninth, to give ULM a come-from-behind victory over Southern Illinois, 5-4, Friday afternoon (March 2), spoiling the Salukis' home opener.
 
ULM (7-2) scratched across a run in the top of the first inning off SIU right-hander Michael Baird. With one out, Johnny DeLaCruz singled to center field, and with two away, DeLaCruz scored on Bell's RBI double to center.
 
SIU (3-6) scored three runs, including two unearned, in the bottom of the third off ULM left-hander Trey Jeans. With one out, Addison Fugitt singled up the middle, advanced to second on a passed ball and moved to third base on an infield single by Connor Kopach. Nikola Vasic followed with an RBI single to center field, scoring Fugitt; Kopach also scored as the ball was misplayed by the center fielder and Vasic advanced all the way to third. An RBI groundout to third by Alex Lyon scored Vasic and gave the Salukis a 3-1 lead.
 
The Warhawks scored an unearned run in the top of the fifth to pull to within one run at 3-2. With two away, Spencer Hemphill reached on a throwing error by the SIU shortstop and advanced to second after Bell walked. Peyton Lacoste chased Hemphill home with an RBI single to center.
 
Turner Francis led off the top of the sixth with a single to right field and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Joey Jordan. With two outs, Braedon Barrett reached on a two-base throwing error by the SIU third baseman, scoring Francis from second to tie the game at 3-3.
 
The Salukis regained the lead at 4-3 in the bottom of the seventh. With one out, Fugitt walked and with two away stole second. Cole Gray became ULM's third pitcher of the game and walked Vasic with Fugitt advancing to third on a wild pitch. Fugitt scored the go-ahead run on Gray's failed pick-off attempt and Vasic wound up on third base. Gray bounced back to strike out Lyon swinging.
 
After Trey McDaniel pitched two scoreless innings in relief, Ryan Netemeyer took the mound for SIU in the top of the ninth and promptly struck out the first two batters. DeLaCruz drew a two-out walk and advanced to second on Hemphill's infield hit to third. Bell became ULM's latest late-inning hero with a two-run double down the left-field line.
 
Keegan Curtis retired the Salukis in order in the bottom of the ninth to record his first save of the season. With one out, Curtis closed out the game by striking out Austin Ulick and Fugitt looking.
 
Gray (1-0) earned his first win of the season, pitching 1.1 scoreless innings of relief with three strikeouts and a walk.
 
"Our guys fought hard and competed with passion today," ULM head coach Michael Federico said. "We found a way to overcome some early mistakes and put ourselves in a position to win the game. With our backs against the wall, Johnny DeLaCruz had a great at-bat and drew a two-out walk in the ninth, then Spencer Hemphill extended the inning with an infield hit to put the winning run on base. Chad Bell delivered the clutch hit with the two-run double.
 
"Cole Gray had a great damage-control inning in the seventh, and Keegan Curtis came on in the ninth to get the save. It was a good team win."
 
Jeans went 5.1 innings for the Warhawks and allowed three runs – only one earned – on seven hits with four strikeouts and a walk.
 
Netemeyer (0-1) took the loss, allowing two runs on two hits in the ninth with two strikeouts and a walk.
 
Baird pitched six innings for SIU and permitted three runs, one earned, on seven hits with four strikeouts and a walk.
 
Game 2 of the weekend series is scheduled for Saturday, March 3 at 2 p.m. in Itchy Jones Stadium. Left-hander Kyle Backofen (1-1, 6.75 ERA) gets the start for ULM while SIU counters with southpaw Jamison Steege (1-0, 1.29 ERA).