Tidwell hits homerun for spring break win

ULM plated three runs Wednesday against Grambling State and they all came from the bat of Kodie Tidwell. No run was more important than his first home run of the season in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Grambling State jumped out to a quick two run lead in the first inning behind two hits and an error. The Tigers capitalized on a successful double-steal that put two runners in scoring position.

The game was scoreless through the next five innings. Both teams took jabs leaving runners on base but were unable to bring them in until Tidwell took a swing in the seventh.

Facing his former high school teammate, Grambling State right-handed pitcher T.J. Murphy, Tidwell singled up the middle. Josh Faciane and Dalton Todd raced home. The game was tied at two with two innings left to play.

“It was a special day for him (Tidwell)” said Peddie. “He stayed within himself and he had a good plan at the plate all day.”

Jared Dye started the game on the mound for the Warhawks. He was one of nine pitchers used during the contest.

“I thought our pitchers did an outstanding job,” said interim head coach Bruce Peddie. “They all came in and threw strikes and did a good job.”

An opportunity for a special moment for Tidwell and a win for his team hung in place in the last inning. With one out in the ninth he blasted a solo shot to right ending the game.

“I was thinking what better way to end it than with one swing of the bat,” said Tidwell. “He left a slider up and I was able to put a good swing on it.”

With the win ULM moved to 17-26 on the year, and Grambling State dropped to  12-27.

The Warhawks hit the road this weekend for a crucial Sun Belt Conference Series with South Alabama. The Jaguars took game one Friday 7-4.

ULM sits in eigth place in conference, on the brink of a conference tournament bid.