BOONE, N.C. (Interstat) — Steven Smith drove in four runs and the Appalachian State offense erupted late to overcome an early five-run deficit and defeat Louisiana-Monroe 13-5 on Friday night in a Sun Belt Conference series opener at Beaver Field at Jim and Bettie Smith Stadium.

The Mountaineers (17-14, 4-6) trailed 5-0 after three and a half innings but chipped away before a six-run eighth inning broke the game open. The Warhawks fell to 19-16 overall and 6-7 in conference play.

Louisiana-Monroe built its lead with single runs in the third and sixth innings, plus a two-run homer from Garrett Wiethorn in the fourth. Wiethorn finished 2 for 4 with two RBIs. The Warhawks managed eight hits but were held scoreless over the final three innings by the Appalachian State bullpen.

Appalachian State began its comeback in the third on a sacrifice fly by Kameron Miller. The Mountaineers then plated three runs in the fourth, keyed by an RBI double from Jake Mummau, a run scoring on a wild pitch and an RBI single from Riley Luft.

Miller tied the game 5-5 with a solo home run in the fifth. The Mountaineers took their first lead an inning later when Luft and Ethan Puig delivered consecutive RBI singles for a 7-5 advantage.

The game’s decisive turn came in the seventh and eighth innings. In the seventh, Smith laced a two-run single that also saw two runs score on a Louisiana-Monroe error in center field, stretching the lead to 9-5.

Appalachian State then sent 10 batters to the plate in the eighth, scoring four runs on just two hits but capitalizing on three walks and a hit batter. Smith capped the rally and his big night with a two-run single down the left-field line, part of his 3-for-5 performance.

The most important sequence of the game occurred in the bottom of the seventh inning. With a 7-5 lead, the Mountaineers loaded the bases with one out. Smith then hit a sharp single to center. The ball was misplayed by the Warhawks’ center fielder, allowing not only the runner from second to score, but also the runner from first to come all the way around from first base. This two-run error transformed a tight two-run game into a more comfortable four-run margin at 9-5, demoralizing the Warhawks and setting the stage for the explosive eighth inning.

Appalachian State starter Nick Dirito earned the win despite allowing five runs on eight hits over six innings. The bullpen trio of Everette Harris, Max Tramontana and Smith was dominant, combining for three perfect innings with four strikeouts. Harris struck out three in two frames.

Louisiana-Monroe reliever Justin Robinson took the loss, surrendering three runs in 2 1/3 innings of work. Warhawks reliever Sam Skarich struck out the side in the eighth after entering with the bases loaded.

The victory defied the pregame projection from Interstat, which gave Appalachian State a 62.3% chance to win but predicted a 6-5 final score.

The teams continue the three-game series Saturday.