The ULM Warhawks (10-9, SBC 1-0) took an early lead to defeat the Texas State Bobcats (12-5, SBC 0-1) 12-6 in the Sun Belt Conference opener Friday, March 13, at Lou St. Amant Field in Monroe, La.
After the Bobcats left one on base to start the ballgame, the Warhawks scored three runs in the bottom of the first to take an early lead. The Warhawks continued this momentum into the second keeping the bases empty of the Bobcats.
A 418-foot home run to center field from senior infielder Jake Haggard doubled the Warhawks lead with senior outfielder Davis Mauzy and senior outfielder Bryce Blaser also scoring.
With a run from graduate student designated hitter Marcus Aranda in the bottom of the third, the Bobcats made a pitching change from graduate student Kyle Froehlich to senior Alizaeh Gutierrez to close out the inning.
In the top of the fourth, senior infielder Chase Mora hit a single to left field allowing junior outfielder Jaquae Stewart to score the first run for the Bobcats Friday evening.
Following this sophomore infielder Brady Boles singled with sophomore infielder Dawson Park scoring and Mora advancing to scoring position. The Bobcats were able to add a run from Mora to the board before the final out of the inning.
With both teams scoreless in the fifth, the Bobcats added a run from Mora in the sixth to close in on the Warhawks 7-4 lead.
Senior Shane Connell replaced Gutierrez on the mound to begin the bottom of the sixth. The Warhawks added four to the scoreboard, with a home run from freshman infielder Dayne Wray highlighting the inning by allowing sophomore infielder Micah Dean and Blaser to also score.
With the Warhawks adding another run to the board in the bottom of the seventh, the Bobcats looked to close the gap in the final two innings.
Both Stewart and junior infielder Manny Salas were able to score on freshman catcher Clayton Namken’s double to center field in the top of the ninth. With two outs already on the board, Mora struck out swinging to end the ballgame.Bobcats drop conference opener to Warhawks 12-6
