MARTIN, Tenn.– In a back and forth offensive battle, the University of Tennessee at Martin baseball team came up just shy of victory to Southern Illinois, 14-11. The Skyhawks outhit the Salukis 15-14 and blasted three home runs on the evening.
Andrew Fernandez, Blaze Bell and Hunter McLean all went yard for UT Martin while Fernandez recorded his third straight multi-hit game (2-4). Skyhawk newcomer Jalen Fithian notched three base knocks with two RBI’s and Mac Danford (double), Jackson Cooke (double) and McLean (triple) snagged extra base hits.
UT Martin sent seven hurlers to the mound with Davis Gaston, Dylan Lapic, Baylor Jones, Tucker Reed, Campbell Cleveland, Choyce Diffey and Eli Martin. Lapic (one inning pitched), Jones (two innings pitched), Diffey (1.2 IP) and Martin (one inning pitched) threw scoreless frames for a Skyhawk team that fanned eight total batters.
UT Martin went down 3-0 early but stormed back in the home half of the second for six runs, four of which came off the bats of Fernandez (second home run of the season) and McLean (first). Jalen Fithian punched one through the left side to bring in Cole Smith and begin his busy day at the plate.
Following a three run Saluki third inning, Jones was called on from the pen and threw up two scoreless innings with one punchout and only allowed one hit. Once again, the longball would come into play for the orange and blue when Blaze Bell drilled a 1-0 count to right which was shortly followed by yet another Fithian single to score Smith.
Southern Illinois would respond well with eight runs over the next two innings and seal up their fourth straight win.
The Skyhawks will be back at home on Friday, February 23rd at 5 p.m. to start a three game series with Ivy League member Brown.
