MONROE – Outside of a three-run sixth inning, the ULM baseball team came up empty in a 5-3 loss to Little Rock Monday evening.
 
Getting the start for the day, Joey Cirelli started with two strikeouts in the top of the first. After being hit by a pitch, Isaiah Walker advanced to second but couldn't come home as the Warhawks (4-3) and Trojans (4-3) remained scoreless after one.
 
Cirelli forced two three-up three-down innings to keep the game scoreless, but ULM was also held to zero with only a walk produced. After a line out in the top of the fourth, the Trojans put two runners on base before Ty Rhodes singled to score the first two runs of the ballgame. A balk scored another for Little Rock and capped off a three-run inning.
 
Another balk was called in the bottom of the inning, advancing Jake Haggard to second. Unlike the opposition, the Warhawks couldn't take advantage and were shut out going into the fifth.
 
With two down in the top of the fifth, Cooper Chaplin singled to bring another run home, making it a 4-0 contest. ULM went three-up three-down with two strikeouts in the bottom half.
 
With runners in scoring position in the bottom of the sixth, Haggard produced a two-RBI triple to break the shutout. An RBI single by Bryce Blaser scored Haggard from third and made it a one-run game after six.
 
Little Rock produced a lead-off double in the top of the seventh to get a runner in scoring position. With two outs, Ryan Geck singled through the left side to get a run back. The Warhawks once again put a runner on second in the bottom frame but three strikeouts in the inning ended the threat.
 
After a scoreless top of the eighth, Walker was put onto first with another hit-by-pitch but was caught stealing second, ending the opportunity in the eighth. A leadoff walk in the top of the ninth was undone by three straight outs to keep it a two-run ballgame.
 
In the bottom of the ninth, Henry Garcia Jr. produced a single to get on with one out. With two away, Tony Lindwedel was hit by a pitch and Jack Clark walked in five pitches to load the bases bringing up Artzberger. In the seventh pitch of the at-bat, he struck out, leaving the bases loaded and ending the chances of a comeback win.
 
The Warhawks are back in action this weekend with a series at Missouri State. Game one starts Friday, Feb. 28 at 3 p.m. CT.