SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State hit three home runs in the first inning and got a grand slam from Dylan Robertson in the fifth to build enough cushion to withstand a late Louisiana Monroe rally, claiming an 11-9 victory and series win Sunday at Hammons Field.
Caden Bogenpohl notched his fourth career leadoff home run to begin things for the Bears (4-6), Taeg Gollert doubled and scored on Jake McCutcheon’s homer, and Carter Bergman added a solo shot for a quick 4-0 lead after an inning.
The Warhawks (5-5) got one back in the second, then Logan Dunn reached on an error and scored on a Gollert sac fly in the bottom half to make it 5-1. In the first career start for the freshman, Dunn went 1-for-3 with a pair of steals and scored twice.
ULM made it 5-2 in the third with a two-out triple and RBI single, then Robertson ended an 11-pitch at bat with his first career grand slam in the fifth. Dunn followed with a walk, stole his way to third and scored on a Tyler Epstein single for 10-2.
The visitors got a run back in the sixth and launched three-run homers in the two subsequent innings to close to 10-9.
Garrett Ferguson entered with no outs in the eighth after ULM’s second round-tripper and nailed down the two-inning save, yielding just a walk to the seven batters he faced.
Epstein was hit by a pitch and eventually scored on a Gollert ground out for an insurance run in the ninth.
Tyler Charlton (2-1) struck out five and yielded three runs in five innings for the winning decision.
The home stand continues Tuesday with a 3 p.m. game against Saint Louis.
