South Alabama’s steady offensive production proved too much for ULM, as the Warhawks lost 10-8 to the Jaguards on Friday night at Warhawk Field.
After falling behind 8-2, ULM scored six runs in the final two innings, but couldn’t complete the comeback.
“You’re never satisfied with a loss,” head coach Jeff Schexnaider said. “Playing from behind all game and watching our guys compete was special.”
Justin Stawychny reached base on a leadoff walk in the eighth inning. Dalton Herrington followed with a single and a double by Taylor Abdalla scored Stawychny.
“As a leadoff, you’ve got to get on somehow. That’s the main thing, just trying to get on base,” Stawychny said.
The Warhawks plated three more runs in the inning on a walk and a two-RBI single from Brandon Alexander.
South Alabama responded by scoring two more in the top of the ninth inning. Stawychny returned to the dish in the bottom of the ninth and sent a leadoff single to right field.
In familiar fashion, Herrington followed with a single of his own. Runners were at the corners with no outs, but two quick strikeouts made things look bleak for ULM.
An RBI single by Jeff Fuller made the score 10-8, and that’s how it would stay. Judd Edwards struck out with the bases loaded to end the game.
ULM scored its first run of the game on an RBI double from Abdalla in the bottom of the sixth. The Warhawks scored another run in the fourth inning.
Pitcher Andrew Richardson (0-1) got the start on the mound for the Warhawks. He began the game with a strong first inning, striking out the first two South Alabama batters of the game.
The Jaguars took a 2-0 lead in the second inning and kept their bats hot in the third with a double and a single. A two-run homer by Dustin Dalken built the South Alabama lead to 5-1.
That would be the end of the night for Richardson, who gave up five earned runs on six hits in 2.2 innings of work. Tyler Bray, Alex Dumaine and Jared Dye finished the game for ULM, surrendering five runs (three earned) on four hits combined.
ULM tagged South Alabama pitcher Jarron Cito (4-2) with five runs on eight hits in seven innings, but he was still able to pick up the win. Cito struckout eight and walked two.
ULM returns to the diamond on Tuesday, April 30, for a nonconference showdown against Southern Miss in Hattiesburg, Miss.
