After dropping their first three contests of the 2021 campaign, all against Samford, the Skyhawk baseball squad picked up their first win of the season with a huge victory over No. 22 Alabama on Feb. 24.
UTM picked up their third win over a ranked opponent under head coach Ryan Jenkins’ tenure in Martin, with wins over No. 30 South Alabama (2020) and No. 13 Southern Miss (2018). However, this win didn’t come without any difficulty, as the Skyhawks had to claw back from an 0-3 deficit in order to secure the win.
Both squads failed to make an impact in the first three innings. The Skyhawks went three-and-out in the first while Alabama grounded into a double play while sending a runner to third. Alabama designated hitter (DH) Sam Praytor struck out shortly after to send both squads into the second scoreless.
The first hit of the game came in the bottom of the second after UTM went three-and-out again, but Alabama outfielder William Hamiter’s single failed to produce any points. The Skyhawks exited the top of the fourth with only two hits to their name, but the Crimson Tide’s bats came alive in the bottom of the inning.
Praytor doubled to left field to kick off the bottom of the fourth. This was immediately followed by a double by Alabama third baseman Zane Denton, giving Alabama an opportunity to make a statement on offense. Hamiter’s single advanced Denton to third while sending Praytor home. Denton went on to score shortly after thanks to a single by shortstop Jim Jarvis. A wild pitch and a passed ball eventually sent Hamiter home, giving Alabama a 3-0 lead going into the fifth.
A groundout RBI by senior outfielder Sean Dixson that sent junior infielder Ethan Whitley home finally got UTM on the board, now being down only 1-3. Two strikeouts and a fly out were all the Crimson Tide could muster in the bottom of the fifth, keeping the Skyhawks within striking distance.
Junior outfielder Houston Wright’s groundout RBI that sent junior infielder Casey Harford home in the top of the six closed UTM’s deficit to 2-3. Alabama failed to get on the board for a second-consecutive inning, allowing UTM to take the lead in the seventh.
Harford took advantage of having two men on base, hitting a two-RBI double to left center that gave the Skyhawks their first lead of the game, with UTM now up 4-3. The Crimson Tide’s final bit of offense came in the bottom of the seventh, but the Skyhawks kept pouring on the points with five combined runs over the final two innings.
The Skyhawks’ five-pitcher rotation only surrendered eight hits against a Crimson Tide squad that was previously unbeaten. Freshman pitcher Mitchell Ford played the most out of the five, with three hits and two runs surrendered over three innings. Senior pitcher Sam Folks was ultimately credited with the win, with two hits and a run over one inning. Freshman pitcher Ryan Insco earned his first save of the season as well, holding Alabama without a hit over two innings.
The Skyhawks will be back in action on Feb, 26 when they travel to Jonseboro, Arkansas to take on Arkansas State in a three-game series from Feb. 26-28.
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