When Shawn Weatherbee hit a ball just past the scoreboard, not only did it mark ULM’s first conference win, but it also ended the seven-game weekend losing streak.

The Warhawks (10-18; 1-7) played host to Marshall (12-12; 3-5). ULM came into the game following a midweek win over Central Arkansas but had not won a weekend game since March 12. Its first two Sun Belt Conference series have resulted in sweeps to Old Dominion and Troy. The Thundering Herd carried a three-game losing streak in the weekend series. 

Game one of the series featured plenty of offense. Marshall took a 1-0 lead in the first inning before the Warhawks responded with a two-run homer by Kade Dupont to take the lead. Marshall scored three runs in the second to make the game 4-2. 

Any response the Warhawks had, Marshall tacked on twice as much. The Thundering Herd finished with 16 hits throughout the game, and they took game one 13-6.

Saturday’s game started much the same. Riley Davis homered to give ULM a 1-0 lead, but Marshall scored two runs in the top of the second. Kade Dupont hit into a double play to score Carson Jones. Marshall’s Gio Ferraro homered for the second time in the game to give the Herd the lead. Thanks to the bullpen, the Warhawks stayed within striking distance with performances from Carson Orton and Nicholas Judice. 

“With Judice and Orton, that’s where the leadership came from,” head coach Michael Federico said. “We just kind of weathered the storm for the most part and found a way.”

On the ropes in the bottom of the eighth, Zach Floyd hit a sacrifice bunt to score Dupont. After a flyout in the bottom of the ninth, the game went into extra innings. 

ULM had a chance in the 10th with runners in scoring position with one out, but a throw to home base and a groundout ended those hopes. In the next inning, the Warhawks were faced with two outs.

With one swing of the bat, Weatherbee launched a baseball out of the ballpark and the game was over.

“It was a great team win and something that we needed,” Federico said. “It got us on the board for the conference and now gives us a chance to win a weekend.”