The baseball team completed a series sweep over Villanova University on Sunday to an overcast afternoon.
The opposing Wildcats sent sophomore left-hander Mike Sgaramella to the mound against Cougar freshman, right-hander Mitch Ullom.
Making his first career start, Ullom appeared poised and ready to get his collegiate career underway. After surrendering a two-run home run in the first inning to Villanova’s Todd Czinege, Ullom quickly found his groove.
“I think giving up the two-run homer woke him up a little bit,” head coach Todd Whitting said. “He was just out there trying to survive. He went into competitive mode after that. He settled in.”
In the bottom of the first, the Cougars knew they needed to provide support for their freshman pitcher. Senior Jacob Campbell stepped into the batter’s box and belted a two-run triple to deep left field. After sophomore Clay Casey launched his first home run of the season, the Cougars ended the first frame with a 4-2 lead.
Campbell’s swing was also a key in the third inning. He increased the Cougar lead to 6-2 after he sending a two-run shot over the left field fence, bringing his RBI total to eight in the season.
The Cougars added to their run-total in the fifth inning by way of a wild pitch from Villanova and a deep two-run double by sophomore left fielder Corey Julks.
Julks was key to the Couagrs’ win: he had four hits, two doubles, two RBIs and stole a base.
“I’m just trying to be aggressive — swing early in the counts and put a good swing on the ball,” Julks said. “It helps that our lineup is so good. It helps me get pitches I can hit and drive runs in.”
The score now 9-2 after five full innings of play, Whitting relieved his starting pitcher.
Ullom finished his day after allowing two runs over five innings and on his way to recording three strikeouts and not surrendering a walk.
Sophomore Zac Taylor added another run in the sixth inning after hitting into a fielder’s choice, bringing freshman Joe Davis home. Now 10-3, the Cougars had claim to a 3-0 record and a sweep of the three game-opening series against Villanova.
The Cougars will try to improve to 4-0 Tuesday when they take on the McNeese State University Cowboys. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
