JONESBORO, Ark. -- The ULM baseball team (12-16, 2-7 Sun Belt) dropped the series finale to Arkansas State (13-14, 4-5) by a score of 5-3 on Sunday (March 30) afternoon from Tomlinson Stadium.

Isaiah Walker started the game by reaching on an Arkansas State throwing error and advanced to second base when Bryce Blaser moved him over on a sacrifice bunt. ULM was doubled off on a hit and run that ended the top of the first. Warhawks' starting pitcher Joey Cirelli avoided damage in the first despite a leadoff single and recorded a strikeout and a foul out for the final outs of the inning. Arkansas State's Cason Campbell opened the scoring for A-State in the bottom of the second inning with an RBI single that scored Jake Henry Williams. The Red Wolves tacked on another run in the second when Ashton Quiller plated Drake Anderson on an RBI sacrifice bunt. Cirelli limited the scoring for A-State as the Red Wolves left two on base to end the inning. Jacob Billings ripped a single to right field with one out in the third. On a 2-1 pitch, catcher Tony Lindwedel blasted a home run over the left field wall that scored Billings and instantly tied the score, 2-2. A-State managed a two-out hit in the bottom of the third, but Cirelli kept the score even, 2-2.

Both teams did not place a base runner in the fourth inning of action. Cirelli struck out his third batter of the afternoon in a scoreless fifth inning, as both teams struggled to have runners reach on offense. Arkansas State broke through in the bottom of the sixth inning after Campbell hit his second RBI single of the afternoon to put the Red Wolves ahead, 3-2. An error made by the Warhawks on a bunt turned into a pair of additional runs for Arkansas State and the Red Wolves led by three after six innings.

Henry Garcia Jr. cracked his fourth home run of the season on the first pitch of the seventh inning and cut into Arkansas State's lead. Michelle Artzberger followed with a single to left before Arkansas State made a pitching change. Gavin Galy recorded three consecutive outs in a relief appearance and preserved A-State's 5-3 edge. Brandon Brewer tossed a scoreless seventh inning despite a one-out hit. ULM failed to have a batter reach in the top of the eighth. Josh Gregoire entered the game out of the bullpen and kept the deficit at two runs heading to the ninth inning. With one out in the ninth, Garcia Jr. walked to bring the tying run to the plate. A-State closer Chase Richter sealed the series win for the Red Wolves by pitching a strikeout and a ground out.

ULM was held to four hits in the finale as Garcia Jr., Artzberger, Lindwedel and Billings each had one hit for the Warhawks. Arkansas State totaled nine hits, led by Campbell with three hits and Anderson and Williams with two apiece. On the mound, Cirelli went 5.1 innings and suffered the loss after allowing three earned runs and striking out three. Brewer and Gregoire combined for 2.2 innings and did not allow an earned run out of the bullpen. Arkansas State starting pitcher Jack Hibbard earned the win after throwing six innings and striking out five while allowing three runs. Richter allowed just one base runner and claimed his second save of the season.

The Warhawks return home to start the month of April with a midweek game versus Stephen F. Austin on Tuesday (April 1) night at Lou St. Amant Field.