Stephen F. Austin
Louisiana-Monroe
`Jacks Fall to Louisiana-Monroe
3/10/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 10, 2006
MONROE, La. - The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack baseball team dropped its third one-run decision of the season Friday night losing to Louisiana-Monroe, 4-3, at Indian Field. The `Jacks are now 4-14 (.222) overall and 1-3 (.250) in Southland Conference play.
The game shaped up as a pitcher's duel as both starters carried a shutout into the fifth inning. Louisiana-Monroe took the first lead of the game when SFA starter Brian Steinocher surrendered an unearned in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Indians tacked on another unearned run in sixth to take a 2-0 lead.
ULM starter Ben Stoignier held SFA at bay until the `Jacks rallied in the top of the eighth for three runs. The `Jacks loaded the bases with one out and junior Chris Smith, who led off the inning with a double, came around to score after classmate David Jeans was hit by a pitch. Kyle Freeman then singled to center to score Eric Tasler from third. Catcher Steven Hill drove in the final run of the inning on a fielder's choice, to give SFA a one-run lead, 3-2.
The Indians answered in the bottom half of the inning to score two runs and regain the lead. ULM closer A.J. Ford came on in the ninth and shut the `Jacks down, striking out two and surrendering only one walk.
Steinocher went six innings, surrendering two hits and two runs, both unearned. He struck out four batters, but also walked five.
Junior Jake Leonhardt is scheduled to take the mound for SFA as the Lumberjacks look to even the series Saturday. The second game against ULM is slated to begin at 3 p.m.
-SFA-
