MARTIN, Tenn.– The University of Tennessee at Martin baseball team dropped a 17-8 decision at the hands of Middle Tennessee in Game 2 of the series today.
The Skyhawks (5-6) battled until the final out, scoring in every one of the final four innings. Andrew Fernandez (3-for-4), Mac Danford (2-for-4) and Blaze Bell (3-for-4) had multi-hit games and a double each while Jalen Fithian added two hits with a walk. Cameron Brady also contributed to the offensive attack with his first home run of the season.
Eric Steensma (1-1) started the game while Choyce Diffey, Dylan Lapic, Campbell Cleveland and Brock Arender did not allow an earned run in effective relief appearances today.
The UT Martin offense answered an early attack from the Blue Raiders with RBI doubles from Fernandez and Danford in the bottom of the third.
Diffey entered the game in the sixth and got the first two outs before Lapic ended the inning with a flyout to left center. Bell led off the sixth with a double and two batters later jogged home when Brady belted a two-run shot over the wall in left center field.
Eli Martin threw a scoreless inning in the top of the seventh and UT Martin responded with a run in the bottom half. Fernandez was hit by a pitch to lead off the frame and advanced to second after a walk to Brady. Danford brought Fernandez in with an RBI single to help the Skyhawks stay within striking distance with two innings remaining.
Rice and Fernandez each recorded RBI singles in the eighth. Fithian plated Alec Beaman in the ninth inning with an RBI single but the Skyhawks were unable to complete the comeback.
The rubber game will be tomorrow at 1 p.m.
