Matt Laird hit the game-winning home run in the 10th inning- Courtesy: ULMAthletics.com
FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
Matt Laird completed a dramatic comeback with a two-run home run in the top of the 10th inning to lead the Gold Team to a 6-4 win Monday night in game four of the ULM Maroon and Gold Blood Series at Warhawk Field. The victory clinches the series for the Gold Team.
The Gold Team trailed 4-0 and was held hitless by Derek Ward heading into the seventh inning, but Josh Chappell broke up the no-hit bid with a double down the third-base line and two batters later Tom O’Gorman ended the shutout with a two-run homer to left field.
They tied the game up in the top of the eighth inning with a pair of unearned runs. Boomer Blanchard drew a one-out walk and moved to third on a Chappell two-out single to right. Josh Gill could not handle a Ryan McMillan grounder at second allowing Blanchard and Chappell to come around and tie the game.
Josh Miller threw the final 3.1 innings for the Gold Team allowing just one hit and striking out three to pick up the win.
Ward struck out five batters and induced 11 ground outs in his first start of any kind since the senior was in high school. Corey Brown suffered the loss allowing two runs on just one hit in two innings.
Jon Prevost hit his third home run of the series for the Maroon Team giving them a 4-0 second inning lead.
Matt Collins put the Maroon Team on the board with an RBI ground out in the opening frame and Chris Sinclair increased the lead to 2-0 with a single back up the middle. Following a fielder’s choice, Prevost sent a ball down the right-field line for a two-run shot.
Gold starter Don Williams was equally as impressive allowing just the four runs on eight hits in 6.2 innings of work. The junior college transfer struck out six Maroon batters and walked just one.
The Maroon Team had the bases loaded with just one out in the bottom of the sixth, but Williams was able to get out of the jam with a strikeout and a fielder’s choice.
Since they lost the series, the Maroon Team will donate blood to a Monroe area blood bank.
Even though the Gold Team clinched the series, the teams will play game five Tuesday night at 6 p.m. at Warhawk Field.
