The UTM baseball team fought back from an early deficit as their pitching staff dominated in the 8-3 victory. UTM hit on every faction of baseball as their bats got heated, and the pitching staff finished off the Bulldogs.
As the Skyhawks entered their second series of the year, they placed their fate in the hands of freshman right-hander Eric Steensma. While Steensma had a short leash in his first-ever start, he dominated. The Western Springs, Illinois native showcased his ability as he pitched two innings, giving up only three hits and two runs (one earned). His relief in the third was just as dominant as senior Jeffrey O’Doherty threw hard for two innings allowing just one hit.
While Alabama A&M may have had the lead early, this game was never really close. Going into the third, the Bulldogs sported a 2-0 lead, but in a familiar tone, the young guys showcased their potential. Sophomore Jack Culumovic singled with no outs to score two runs and tie the game up. Freshman Wil Lafollette took the lead for the Skyhawks as he scored three batters later on an error.
UTM struck once again in the fourth as junior outfielder Houston Wright singled in sophomore Noah Thigpen to make it 4-2 in the fourth. This game served as a coming-out party for Wright as he came into the day 0 for 10 in his Division I career. By the time the final out marked the Skyhawks second victory, he was 3 for 4 with two RBIs.
While Alabama A&M was able to get back one run in the fifth, it didn’t matter as UTM scored in every inning from the sixth on. Two names were responsible for the last four runs that the Skyhawks scored, Wright and senior Sean Dixson. Wright was first as he repeated the fourth inning, but instead of a single, he doubled to score Thigpen. Dixson claimed the next two, as he scored in the seventh on a passed ball and then singled in Culumovic in the eighth. Then like clockwork Wright finished off the scoring in the ninth by coasting home on a passed ball to make the score 8-3.
Without many chances thus far in the season, coach Ryan Jenkins saw an opportunity to get their All-OVC closer some work. Junior Nick Wohlbold came into the game and shut the door almost immediately as the Skyhawks claimed the victory 8-3.
UTM will hope to build off of their success in Huntsville as they travel back to Alabama this weekend to participate in the South Alabama Invitational. The Skyhawks will face off against last years regular-season Big Ten champions, Indiana. The matchup will take place Friday at 1 p.m. as senior Winston Cannon is set to take the mound.
Game Notes: Ryan Insco continued his success in Division I as he pitched another hitless inning. Insco has only given up two hits and 0 runs in five innings of work… Houston Wright led all hitters with three hits, including: a triple, a double and a single, making him a home run shy of the cycle…Sean Dixson went 2 for 5 with one RBI and a stolen base (2).
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