MONROE, La. – Back-to-back home runs by Missouri's Ross Lovich and Josh Day in the top of the fifth inning gave the Tigers a three-run lead and they held off ULM down the stretch for a 4-2 win Sunday afternoon at Warhawk Field to cap a two-game weekend series.
 
With the temperature at first pitch at 39 degrees, the pitchers controlled the action early. ULM (1-4) used junior right-hander Reid Goleman as an opener, allowing just one hit with a strikeout over two shutout innings. Missouri (6-1) starting right-hander Austin Troesser (2-0) did not allow a run until the fifth inning, allowing just three hits with one walk and four strikeouts, earning the win.
 
Mizzou used a Warhawk mistake to take the lead. With runners on first and second and two outs, Tre Morris hit an infield single to shortstop, just beating the throw from ULM sophomore Carson Jones at first base. Warhawk sophomore Michelle Artzberger then threw across the diamond, trying to catch Tiger lead runner Trevor Austin off the base at third. Instead, Artzberger's throw sailed wide, allowing Austin to score for the 1-0 lead.
 
The Tigers extended the lead in the fifth inning on back-to-back solo home runs by Lovich and Day off ULM right-hander Tylor Jans.
 
The Warhawks struck back in the bottom of the fifth. Sophomore Chase DeJean was hit by a pitch to open the inning and moved to second on a walk by sophomore Gus Freeman. Junior Trace Henry drove in DeJean with a two-out, RBI single to center to cut the gap to 3-1.
 
Pitching took back over in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings as ULM sophomore Nicholas Judice and Missouri's Carter Rustad each fired three scoreless innings. Rustad allowed just one hit with four strikeouts while Judice gave up two hits with two strikeouts.
 
The Tigers added to the lead in the ninth on Austin's sacrifice fly to score Lovich. ULM tried to rally in the bottom of the inning. With two outs, Lovich lost senior Ryan Cupit's fly ball in the sun as it dropped in behind him in left field for a double. Junior Austin Beech followed with an RBI single to right to bring ULM within 4-2. However, sophomore pinch hitter Landon Cato flew out to right to end the game.
 
In addition to Troesser picking up the win, Austin Cheeley earned the save in both games of the series by giving up a run in the ninth. Jans (0-2) suffered the loss for ULM, allowing three runs, two earned, on three hits with two walks and one strikeout in three innings of work.
 
Six different Warhawks picked up a hit in the loss. Day, Morris and Lovich had two hits each for Mizzou.
 
ULM plays two mid-week games at No. 3 Ole Miss, starting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Swayze Field.