MURRAY, Ky.- The University of Tennessee at Martin baseball team took an early lead but fell 18-7 to Murray State at Johnny Reagan Field.
Brody Capps (home run, two RBI), Jonah Katsaboulas (RBI) and Arderrius Townsend (homer, two RBI, stolen base) collected multi-hit games for the Skyhawks, who are now 3-4. Jordan Hudson (stolen base), Garner Anderson (walk), Jalen Fithian (double), Cameron Greene (double, walk), TJ Grines (stolen base, run scored), JT Popick (run scored) and Blaze Bell (run scored) added on to the UT Martin offense.
On the mound, Quincy Thornton started the game and went 3.1 innings with two strikeouts while Mason Shropshire (1-1), Austin Gast, Brock Arender, Shawn Perez, Aidan Karns and Rett Edwards each spent time on the mound.
Capps opened up the scoring with a two-run shot to right field. The Racers would get one back in the home half but Townsend drilled a two-run homer over right field wall to make it 4-1 in favor of the Skyhawks. Thornton worked back-to-back clean innings, leaving three runners stranded and allowing just one hit.
Murray State (4-0) claimed the lead in the bottom of the fourth and wouldn’t relinquish it. Arender took to the bump in the fifth for his season debut and fired off a scoreless frame. The Racers added on to their lead during the sixth, but the Skyhawks wouldn’t go down without a fight.
UT Martin loaded the bases after Katsaboulas brought in a run on a single, Bell reached first on an error and Townsend was hit by a pitch in the seventh. Frank Micallef wore a hit by pitch to drive in Katsaboulas and put a three-spot on the scoreboard in the top of the seventh. However, the Skyhawk rally attempt fell short.
UT Martin heads to Murfreesboro, Tenn. this weekend for the MTSU Tournament, starting Friday, Feb. 28 at noon against Middle Tennessee.
