MONROE, La. -- Bobby Verbick hit a pair of homeruns and drove in four runs, but it wasn't enough as the Bearkats fell to Louisiana-Monroe 11-9 on Saturday afternoon.

Freshman Dallas Gallant got the start on the mound for the Kats and was roughed up. He lasted just an inning and a third, giving up seven run on six hits.

But the Bearkat offense was getting its opportunities early in the game as well. Keith Stein and Ryan Webber started off the game with singles and Verbick blasted a shot to center to put SHSU up 3-0. After Monroe scored three in the bottom of the frame, Stein put the Kats back up with an RBI double, scoring Mark Wyatt.

Monroe scored five in the bottom of the inning and never trailed again.

The Bearkats put together a rally in the top of the ninth, getting pair of runs on a Verbick solo shot and an RBI single by Heath Pugh. But the Kats couldn't get anything else in the frame, leaving two runners on base.

Brent Powers pitched 5 1/3 innings of relief for SHSU, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out four. Ryan Tepera finished the game getting the final four outs, while allowing two runs on four hits.

The Bearkats pounded out 14 total hits, with Stein and Verbick getting three while Nick Zaleski and Todd Sebek each getting a pair.

The series will conclude Sunday at 1 p.m.