UT Martin halts Golden Eagle comeback win, hands Tech 7-5 loss
The Tennessee Tech baseball team couldn’t quite finish off its comeback bid against UT Martin Saturday afternoon, falling to the Skyhawks at Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex, 7-5.
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 1 |
|
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 1 |
By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech baseball team couldn't quite finish off its comeback bid against UT Martin Saturday afternoon, falling to the Skyhawks at Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex, 7-5.
UT Martin jumped out to a 1-0 lead early in the second inning, using a solo home run from Zack Malone to get on the board first. The Skyhawks added four more in the third inning, taking advantage of a controversial call to start the frame.
Leading off the inning, Jake Deason ripped a ball down the left field line that hit the third base umpire just past the infield dirt. The official raised both arms indicating a foul ball and for play to be called dead. After a quick meeting to discuss the call, the home plate umpire ruled a fair ball and awarded Deason second base.
The Skyhawks took advantage of the decision, gathering three more hits in the inning to tally four runs and take a 5-0 lead.
Tech answered in the bottom of the fourth, using a mammoth of a two-run shot off the bat of Brandon Thomasson to cut the UT Martin advantage to 5-2.
The Golden Eagles grabbed another run in the fifth using a sacrifice fly from Thomasson to make it a 5-3 game. And then the team tied things up in the sixth inning. With a men on first and third and no outs, catcher Jordan Parris laid down a perfect sac bunt that scored a run and advanced Anthony El Chibani to second. Tyler Brazelton drove in the tying run two batters later, ripping a single to left field to even things at 5-5.
Both sides cruised through the seventh inning before UT Martin put themselves in position for the victory. In the top of the eighth, the Skyhawks used a single and stolen base to put a runner in scoring position with one out. Another base hit placed runners on the corners and a wild pitch scored the eventual game-winning run. The team grabbed an insurance run off an error as well, taking a 7-5 lead into the bottom of the eighth.
The Golden Eagles threatened in the bottom of the ninth, getting two men on with two outs, but a ground ball to the UT Martin shortstop ended comeback bid and gave the Skyhawks a 7-5 victory.
Reliever Carter Smith earned his first win of the season, covering four innings while allowing four hits and two earned runs. Tech senior Stanton Taylor was dealt the hard-luck loss, tossing an inning of relief and allowing just one earned run. Thomasson led all batters with three RBI on the day, going 1-for-4 at the plate.
The rubber match of the series will take place on Sunday with a 12:30 p.m. CT start expected as Chris Chism will take the hill for the Golden Eagles.
