MONROE, La. – Little Rock built another early lead, but errors proved costly as ULM rallied for the 5-3 win Sunday afternoon at Warhawk Field. The win evens the weekend series at a game apiece, setting up the rubber game for Monday afternoon in Monroe.
Little Rock falls to 16-14 on the year and 7-4 in Sun Belt play, remaining in second place in the West Division. ULM improves to 12-18 overall and 4-10 in league play.
The Trojans jumped out to a 2-0 lead, thanks to a two-run home run by Kobe Barnum in the top of the second. Jake Wright led off the inning with a walk, coming home after the home run from Rodriguez, his third of the season.
Little Rock threatened a number of times, including loading the bases in the first and leaving a runner in scoring position in the sixth and again in the eighth, but defensive miscues aided ULM to the win.
The Warhawks got on the board in the bottom of the second with a solo home run, narrowing the deficit to 2-1. ULM then tied things up in the third off an RBI single before a pair of fielding errors allowed another run to come home, giving ULM the 3-2 lead after three.
ULM struck again in the fifth, getting runners at second and third off a walk, hit by pitch and wild pitch and scoring off an RBI single to up the lead to 4-2. The Warhawks added another off a double steal, bringing another run home to push the advantage to 5-2.
Little Rock tried to mount a rally in the sixth off a solo home run from Kenny Rodriguez, his fifth off the season, but the Trojan bats couldn’t come up with the key hit, managing just four hits following the homer and having the rally attempt thwarted with a game-ending double play in the ninth.
The Trojans doubled up the Warhawks in hits at 10-5, thanks to multi-hit days from Rodriguez (2-for-3), Jorden Hussein (2-for-5) and Noah Dickerson (2-for-4). Rodriguez added a double with Nathan Lyons and Jake Wright contributing hits on the afternoon.
Starter Aaron Funk was tagged with the loss, giving up three runs (two earned) on four hits in 3.0 innings of work. Jacob Weatherley came out of the bullpen to pitch 1.0 innings and allow two runs on one hit with three strikeouts. Luke Wallner pitched the final 2.0 innings and didn’t allow a hit, striking out a pair.
The Trojans and Warhawks will close out the three game series Monday afternoon afternoon with both teams looking to clinch the series win. Little Rock will start Sawyer Smallwood in game three, getting underway at 1 p.m. at Warhawk Field.
