CONWAY, S.C. – The ULM baseball team dropped the series opener to No. 14 Coastal Carolina, 8-6, on Thursday (May 8) night at Springs Brooks Stadium in Conway, S.C.

The Warhawks (21-28, 7-18 Sun Belt) plated the first six runs of the game after ULM's offense posted three runs in both the top of the first and sixth innings. ULM starting pitcher Daniel Gonzalez allowed just one run in six innings to one of the nation's best offenses. The Chanticleers (39-11, 21-4 Sun Belt) took the lead in the bottom of the seventh inning with seven runs and preserved the lead with scoreless eighth and ninth innings.
 
The Warhawks provided Gonzalez with run support early after scoring three in the top of the first. After a leadoff single by Isaiah Walker, Bryce Blaser was hit by a pitch and moved Walker into scoring position. Henry Garcia Jr. chopped a grounder over the third baseman's head into left field that allowed Walker to score the game's first run. Michelle Artzberger ripped a single to left field and the Warhawks loaded the bases. On a 3-2 pitch, Kade Dupont was hit by a pitch and Blaser scored ULM's second run of the first inning. Garcia Jr. crossed home plate for the third run on a double play. Gonzalez sat the first Chanticleers down 1-2-3 on a fly out, ground out and strikeout. After a scoreless second inning by both teams, Coastal Carolina recorded its first hit off Gonzalez in the third inning with one out. Gonzalez completed his third inning without allowing a run after a fielder's choice and a fly out.
 
Dupont singled to lead off the top of the fourth before the Chanticleers threw him out on the bases with a pickoff. Jake Haggard pulled a single down the line and stole second base before CCU retired the side. Gonzalez struck out one in a three up, three down bottom of the fourth. Walker singled with one out in the fifth and Blaser reached on an error that moved Walker to third. After Blaser stole second, Walker slid in safely at home after a CCU wild pitch to put the Warhawks in the lead, 3-0. Following a strikeout, Artzberger smoked a double to left field on a 3-0 pitch that scored Blaser with two outs. On the next pitch, Dupont lined another double to left field that plated Artzberger and increased the Warhawks' lead to 6-0. Coastal got on the scoreboard with a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Gonzalez racked up two more strikeouts and the Warhawks maintained a five-run lead through five. After a scoreless top of the sixth, Gonzalez recorded his fourth spotless inning and the Warhawks held a 6-1 lead after six innings.

Blaser recorded his first hit of the night and Artzberger swung his third hit of the game in the seventh inning for ULM. The Chanticleers roared back in the bottom half of the seventh with a seven-run inning and seized control of the lead after a two-run home run, a pair of RBI singles, a bases-loaded walk and a two-RBI base hit. Marcus Aranda walked with one out in the top of the eighth in a pinch hit appearance. ULM was unable to trim Coastal's lead. Seaver Sheets held the Chants scoreless in the bottom half of the eighth and kept the deficit at two runs. Walker walked to start the ninth and brought the tying run to the plate while stealing his 25th base of the season. Coastal Carolina's closer Dominick Carbone shut the door with three strikeouts and CCU completed the comeback in the series opener.

Artzberger led the way at the plate with three hits and delivered one RBI and a run scored. Walker and Dupont both notched two hits while Blaser, Garcia Jr. and Haggard all had one hit. Gonzalez pitched his fourth quality start of the season and struck out five batters and allowed three runs. Zach Shaw tossed 0.2 innings and struck out one. Josh Gregoire was charged with the loss after throwing 0.1 innings. Sheets pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Game two of the series between the Warhawks and Chanticleers is set for Friday (May 9) with first pitch at 6 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. CT.