MONROE, La. – A two-run top of the fifth inning put the Ragin' Cajuns on top for good as they clinched a series win over ULM with a 5-2 win at Warhawk Field Friday night.
Connor Cooke (3-2) threw five innings in the start for the Ragin' Cajuns (16-11 overall, 4-1 Sun Belt Conference), giving up one run on three hits with three walks and a season-high nine strikeouts. Brandon Talley earned his fourth save by recording the final five outs, allowing one hit with one strikeout.
ULM had five hits in the game which featured
Travis Washburn's inside-the-park home run in the fourth inning.
Andrew Beesley picked up the other RBI with a bases-loaded walk in the sixth inning.
Connor Kimple and Tyler Robertson paced the Ragin' Cajuns with two hits each while Josh Cofield came off the bench to drive in two runs.
The Warhawks took the first lead of the game on Washburn's inside-the-park home run to right centerfield. Washburn hit a drive to the gap and motored around the bases after Cajun right fielder Carson Roccaforte dove for the ball and couldn't catch it. The ball rolled away from him to the wall while Washburn sped around the bases for the 1-0 lead.
The Ragin' Cajuns answered with two runs in the top of the fifth inning as Anthony Catalano drove in Brett Borgogno with an RBI single and Brennan Breaux's RBI groundout plated Jonathan Brandon for the 2-1 lead.
The Cajuns extended the lead to 3-1 in the sixth inning Cofield doubled down the right field line to score Drake Osborn. ULM answered back when the Warhawks loaded the bases in the bottom half of the inning. However, Beesley's RBI walk forced home the only run ULM would score in the frame as the Cajuns continued to lead 3-2.
The Ragin' Cajuns added insurance with runs in the seventh and eighth innings. Bobby Lada picked up an RBI when he reached on an error as Breaux scored for the 4-2 lead. Cofield grounded out to the right side of the infield in the eighth inning, allowing Osborn to score for the 5-2 lead.
The two teams wrap up the series at 2 p.m. Saturday at Warhawk Field. Links to live video, audio and stats are available on the baseball schedule page at ULMWarhawks.com.
