MONROE, La. – Another offensive onslaught highlighted by a walk-off home run at the bottom of the seventh catalyzed a 16-5 run-rule win by ULM baseball (12-9, 3-0 Sun Belt) over Texas State (12-7, 0-3 Sun Belt) Sunday afternoon.
 
The Warhawks used 18 hits to score 16 runs over seven innings and scored in five of the total innings played.
 
"Kudos to the hitters today," head coach Ford Pemberton said. "We presented a plan, and they were all in on it."
 
JC Dermody started strong in the first inning, collecting a strikeout and keeping the Bobcats scoreless. Davis Mauzy and Micah Dean both walked to start the bottom of the first inning before a wild pitch moved them both to second and third base.
 
Bryce Blaser hit an infield single to score Mauzy from third and gave the Warhawks the early 1-0 lead. Jake Haggard lined a double down the left field line to make the lead two runs before a Dayne Wray single to shallow center field added a run to the margin. A throwing error allowed Marcus Aranda to get on base and scored Haggard from third base, which was followed by a Kade Dupont groundout, scoring Wray to make it 5-0 ULM.
 
Zach White stayed hot by hitting a single to score Aranda from third. A Garrett Wiethorn double and a Mauzy single added two more runs for the Warhawks as the home team possessed a commanding 8-0 lead to end the beginning inning.
 
After a scoreless second inning, the Bobcats got onto the board with a single, making it an 8-1 ballgame. ULM immediately got the run back with a Blaser double, scoring Mauzy from second to result in an eight-run lead. The margin remained the same after four as both teams went scoreless.
 
TXST cut into the deficit at the top of the fifth inning, using a double and a single down the right and left field line to score two runs. The Warhawks responded in the bottom frame with three runs. Mauzy and Dean produced base hits to get the two runs back before Dean scored on a wild pitch from third base, making it a 12-3 game after five.
 
"Every time they scored, we answered back," Pemberton said. "That was big today, and I'm really proud of this group."
 
Ethan Ferris hit a home run to center field to produce the fourth run of the game for the Bobcats to start the sixth inning. Once again, the Warhawks responded right back with a White double into left field to score Aranda, resulting in a 13-4 score.
 
A double at the top frame of the seventh plated a run for TXST to make the deficit eight runs once more. Haggard produced an RBI single to answer for ULM in the very next frame. With the run rule in play, Aranda ended the game with a walk-off two-run homer, sealing the win and series sweep.
 
"In that last at bat, he was being a veteran," Pemberton said. "That's Marcus man. He's bought into what we're asking him to do."
 
For the program, it's the first Sun Belt Conference sweep since the 2024 season, when the Warhawks swept Arkansas State to end the season. It's also the first time the team has started 3-0 in conference play since the 2007 season, when they started 4-0.
 
JC Dermody recorded the win, marking his fourth of the season. His final stat line read seven innings pitched with six strikeouts on 104 pitches thrown.
 
"I saw him doing what he needed to do," Pemberton said. "He was able to force contact with the lead, and that's what a pitcher is supposed to do."
 
 On the hitting side, Aranda led the team with three RBI while Mauzy, Blaser, Haggard, and White also totaled multi-RBI on the day. Four Warhawks also collected three-hit performances with Mauzy, Haggard, Aranda and White. Dean and Blaser joined them in the multi-hit list with two each.
 
"We have to show up and get ready for Wednesday," Pemberton said. "Just go about your business and do what you do every single day."
 
ULM is back at home Wednesday evening with a midweek matchup scheduled at 6 p.m. vs. New Orleans at Lou St. Amant Field.