HUNTSVILLE, Ala.- For the third time in the early stages of the 2025 baseball season, the University of Tennessee at Martin baseball team held its opponent scoreless after coasting to an 11-0 run-rule victory over Alabama A&M this afternoon at Bulldog Field.
Zach Wager (1-1) headlined a Skyhawk pitching staff that didn’t allow an extra-base hit. The junior left-hander went four innings with four strikeouts before giving way to a dominant bullpen trio of Mason Shropshire (one perfect inning), Brandon King (one scoreless frame) and Jeb Bartle (one shutout inning).
At the plate, TJ Grines paced the Skyhawks (5-6) by going 3-for-4 with a home run, double, two RBIs and a run scored – the second time this season he’s been one leg away from hitting for the cycle. Grines wasn’t the only one spraying the ball around the yard as Tommy Koch (two runs scored, RBI) and Cameron Greene (double, two RBI’s) each collected multi-hit outings. Jalen Fithian (RBI), Garner Anderson (hit), Brody Capps (triple, hit, run scored), Jonah Katsaboulas (three runs scored), Arderrius Townsend (two runs scored, triple, RBI, stolen base) and Blaze Bell (double, two RBIs, two runs scored, stolen base) also contributed to UT Martin’s big day at the plate.
The Bulldogs got back-to-back hits to start the first but Wager settled in and kept Alabama A&M off the scoreboard.
The Skyhawks capitalized in the second thanks to a Koch single that brought in Townsend to give UT Martin a 1-0 edge. Wager stranded two more runners in the second and then worked a hitless bottom of the third where he secured his third punchout.
The Skyhawks plated four runs in the top of fourth as Capps led off the inning with a triple that turned into a bases loaded situation for UT Martin. Bell drove in two off a fielder’s choice and error while Greene brought in Townsend on another fielder’s choice. The Skyhawks then pulled off a double steal as Bell successfully swiped home to give UT Martin a 5-0 lead.
Another no-hit frame was delivered by Wager after he induced a popout, flyout and whiffed another batter in his final inning of work. Grines blasted his second long ball of the year in the top of the fifth to kick off another multi-run inning. Townsend tripled to right center with two away, bringing in Katsaboulas in for a 7-0 advantage.
Shropshire entered in the bottom part of the fifth and worked swiftly, retiring Alabama A&M in order from two flyouts and a strikeout.
Grines struck again in the sixth, this time with a two-out single to make it an 8-0 ballgame. King came in for Shropshire and worked around two baserunners for a hitless home half.
The Skyhawks put the finishing touches on their second run-rule win of the year with Katsaboulas scoring on a passed ball, a Greene RBI double and Fithian sacrifice fly to widen their advantage 11-0 following the top of the seventh.
Bartle got the call from the bullpen, closing the door on the Bulldogs by forcing a double play and a flyout.
After 11 games at road or neutral sites to start the 2025 campaign, UT Martin will host Samford for three games this weekend as the home opener is scheduled for Friday, March 7 at 3 p.m.
