ULM baseball hosted I-20 rival LA Tech on Tuesday as part of Super Warhawk Week. Despite the energy of the week, rare contact with the ball hampered the Warhawks’ scoring, leading to their 6-2 loss.
The Bulldogs (27-12; 6-3 Conference USA) pressured ULM (17-19; 5-10 Sun Belt Conference) early in the first inning. A home run following a double put LA Tech up with much more game to be played. The Warhawks’ time in the batter’s box lasted only a brief moment. Three straight grounded-out balls swiftly closed out the bottom of the inning.
ULM showed improvement in the second inning and allowed only one batter to leave the plate, entirely off a wild pitch. At bat, outfielder Shawn Weatherbee showed why he earned the nickname “Diesel” by blasting a high-octane homer to open the bottom of the second. However, the Warhawks didn’t carry the momentum, and three grounded balls once again shut down the inning.
LA Tech continued scoring with a home run in the third inning. Adding insult to injury, ULM left two on base after catcher Marcus Aranda made it to third. During the fourth inning, a double play by ULM helped to keep its deficit short. At the same time, the Bulldogs’ 3-1 lead remained after the Warhawks came up short with no runs and two left on base once more.
Both teams earned quick outs during the fifth inning, but LA Tech tacked on another run in the sixth. Fortunately for ULM, a double play stopped the bleeding. After a walk and a wild pitch, the Warhawks had two on base. A sacrifice bunt by outfielder Bryce Blaser and a grounded ball by Colby Lunsford helped Michelle Artzberger cross home and cut into LA Tech’s lead.
The Warhawks shut down the Bulldog’s offense in the sixth inning and stranded three players on base to end the inning. ULM failed to capitalize, as two consecutive strikeouts and a grounded ball left much to be desired on offense.
Continued mistakes haunted ULM’s pitching staff as two fielder’s choices allowed LA Tech to add another two runs. A grounded ball to first base stopped the Bulldog’s offense before any more damage could be done. When the Warhawks returned to the bat, they never reached first. Three strikeouts locked their deficit at 6-2.
LA Tech’s offense let up during the top of the ninth as ULM picked up three succinct outs. With two on base and two outs, the Warhawks had a chance to run the scoring. A walk brought Ian Montz to second and Matthew Abshire to third. Despite the scoring position, a grounded ball dashed any hopes of a walk-off win versus rival LA Tech.