ULM finds elusive one-run win
Bruce Peddie has been adamant all season long that it only takes one to turn ULM’s fortunes in one-run games.
One timely at-bat, one play in the field or one strike down in the zone.
ULM was there again Friday night, clinging to a one-run lead against Arkansas State in game 1 of a critical series with conference tournament implications.
Some of the same characteristics were there — like missed opportunities in the form of stranded runners. This time though, ULM cashed in on that elusive one.
Behind a two-run, three-hit performance at the plate in the seventh and eight strong innings from Alex Hermeling, The Warhawks (19-18, 6-10) closed out a 3-2 win over Arkansas State at Warhawk Field.
ULM is now 4-6 on the year in one-run games.
Peddie was glad to see momentum from ULM’s 5-1 win over Northwestern State Wednesday night carry over against the Red Wolves (14-21, 4-14). It was the Warhawks’ first opening-game victory in a Sun Belt series this season.
“Our guys know how important this series is and they’re not going to roll over,” Peddie said. “I’m just thrilled they know how to win on a Friday night now and not dig themselves in a hole. We’ve certainly done that enough this year.”
With the game tied 1-1, Kodie Tidwell reached base on a double and made it to third base on an A-State error in the field. Danny Springer came up two batters later and connected on another double that scored Tidwell and Keelin Rasch.
Rasch made it home for ULM’s third run of the inning after Jacob Stockton came through for his third hit of the game. Stockton went 3-for-4 at the plate — all singles.
“We had way too many strikeouts tonight but I don’t know if they struck us out, we struck ourselves out in some spots,” Peddie said. “Stockton is seeing the ball very well and we needed one of those hits to help us finally instead of getting them against us.”
Stockton gave ULM a 1-0 lead with an RBI single in the fourth inning. Arkansas State tied the game in the top of the seventh.
Starter Alex Hermeling (3-5) picked up the win allowing two runs on five hits with four strikeouts, and by going eight innings kept the Warhawks from having to go too deep into the bullpen. Josh Leone picked up his second save of the year in the ninth.
“The big part is ‘Herm’ has to go out there and do it for us,” Peddie said. “He only went two innings for us last week but we saw a change and he went out there and pounded the zone early and kept them off balance. When Leone is down in the zone like he was tonight he’s tough.”
Arkansas State’s Jon Gildewell fell to 2-2 on the year.
Game 2 between ULM and Arkansas State is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Saturday, but possible inclement weather could force schedule changes. Visit thenewsstar.com for updates.
“We weren’t supposed to play today either so maybe something we’ll change,” Peddie said. “We’re not going to get in a situation where we have to blow those arms so we’ll make that call first thing tomorrow.”
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