With the Skyhawks (15-20) narrow 3-2 victory over the Arkansas Pine-Bluff (UAP) Golden Lions (4-28) marks UTM’s fourth win in their last five matchups. A big three-run seventh inning was the dagger that Skyhawks needed to secure a victory.
The first three innings between the Skyhawks and Lions was a defensive showdown. Neither side recorded a hit until sophomore outfielder (OF) Noah Thigpen hit a single in the top of the third. An RBI triple by the Lions broke stalemate, giving UAP a 1-0 lead going into the fifth.
UTM’s inability to get on base continued into the fifth, as the Skyhawks quickly went three-and-out and put the Lions back onto the plate. The Skyhawks were able to pick off a runner and force two outs quickly to exit the fifth. Inning six was, for all-intensive purposes, a repeat of the fifth, with the Skyhawks going three-and-out again.
After holding off the Lions for another inning, the Skyhawks finally broke through in the seventh. Junior infielder (IF) Casey Harford started the inning off strong with a single to left field. Harford then advanced to second off a single by freshman OF Wil LaFollette. A fielder’s choice set the stage for a potential offensive boom for UTM, but Harford was picked off a third base. Regardless, freshman designated hitter (DH) Christian Hall’s RBI-single sent LaFollette home and tied the game 1-1. A bunt by junior catcher Blake Davis resulted in a run by junior IF Ethan Whitley, which was followed by an RBI-single by Thigpen to give the Skyhawks a 3-1 lead.
The Lions hammered a home run in the bottom of the seventh, but neither squad was able to get back on the scoreboard, resulting in the Skyhawks’ 15th win of the season.
The Skyhawks utilized a five-pitcher rotation in the contest, with senior right-handed pitcher (RHP) Winston Cannon being credited with the win after blanking the Lions in his one inning. Fellow senior RHP David Hussey was credited with the save, marking his fourth of the season.
The Lions trotted out pitcher Justin Rieschick for eight innings, striking out five and allowing three runs in the loss.
The Skyhawks will return to OVC action on Apr. 30 to take on the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in a three-game series in Martin.
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