MONROE, La. – The ULM baseball team (5-5) is continuing a seven-game home stretch with a weekend series against Western Illinois (3-4). The Warhawks look to continue after success in two midweeks against Grambling and Alcorn State.
SERIES HISTORY VS. WESTERN ILLINOIS –
This is the first time the Warhawks have hosted the Leathernecks, the only two meetings between the two teams coming in 2014. In a neutral site of Thibodaux, ULM defeated Western Illinois both times (6-5, 6-2). With a 2-0 series record, the Warhawks look to extend the streak further this weekend.
SCOUTING THE LEATHERNECKS –
Western Illinois sits at 3-4 on the season, claiming two wins in a series victory over Akron and another in a midweek against St. Ambrose. Fifth year outfielder Liam Bushey returns as an All-OVC selection, already leading the team with seven RBI on the season. Right-handed pitcher Jackson Rodgers had a stellar weekend against Akron, striking out eight and allowing just one hit in 5.1 innings of work. The Leathernecks were selected to finish 10th in the Ohio Valley Conference after an 18-32 showing in 2025.
LAST TIME OUT –
13 hits and a strong starting pitching performance led ULM to a 12-0 run-rule win over Alcorn State on Wednesday afternoon. Starter Seaver Sheets struck out two batters, allowing one hit in five innings on the mound to pick up the win.
At the bottom of the inning, Bryce Blaser doubled to get in scoring position and stole third. Jake Haggard hit a sacrifice fly to score the first run and end the first inning with the Warhawks in front. With two runners on at the bottom of the second, Zach White singled to right field to produce an RBI. Davis Mauzy followed up with a sac-fly before Kade Dupont grabbed another RBI single to make it 4-0 at the end of two.
ULM collected three straight singles to start the bottom half of the fourth, including an RBI hit from Mauzy. With two outs, Haggard powered his second homer of the season, putting the Warhawks up 8-0. ULM again put pressure on at the bottom of the inning, using a Jackson Landry walk and a White hit to put two runners on. In the bottom of the sixth, Dupont and Danye Wray both singled while Haggard walked to start things off with the bases loaded. With one out, Landry struck a no-doubter to produce a 12-0 Warhawk seven-inning victory.
GRAND SLAM –
Jackson Landry hit a grand slam in the bottom of the seventh against Alcorn State, driving in four runs to get to a 12-0 score after seven innings. Landry's hit is his third career home run and the first grand slam of the season.
JC BRINGS THE JUICE –
JC Dermody had a stellar start at New Orleans on February 22, collecting his second win to have a 2-0 record this season. He saw action in six innings on the mound, striking out seven and allowing just one run and no walks. Dermody arrives in Monroe after a season at Wichita State. Dermody sits at sixth in the Sun Belt with 14 strikeouts, joining seven other pitchers in the league who have two wins so far this season.
BUILT FORD TOUGH –
ULM head coach Ford Pemberton picked up his first win of the season, an 11-2 victory over Central Arkansas., currently holding a 5-5 record in his first season at the helm. Pemberton arrives in Monroe after spending two seasons on the Memphis baseball staff as the team's hitting coach and recruiting coordinator. The Bossier City, La., native spent two seasons at Southeastern Louisiana, also spending time at Nicholls (2017-21) and C.E. Byrd High School (2014-16).
LOOKING AHEAD –
The ULM baseball team will remain at The Lou for the final two games in a seven-game home stretch. The Warhawks will host Southeastern Louisiana on Tuesday (March 3) at 6 p.m. and Wednesday (March 4) at 4 p.m.
