The UTM Skyhawks traveled to Richmond, Kentucky for a three-game series against OVC rival Eastern Kentucky that spanned from March 22-24.
Sadly for the Skyhawks, it just wasn’t their weekend. Over those three games, UTM was outscored 15-43 and their OVC record dropped to 2-7. The Skyhawks now sit in
The first game definitely wasn’t the finest hour for the Skyhawks, as they were shut down by a score of 6-21.
UTM struck first on the back of an RBI scored by sophomore catcher Blake Davis in the first inning. Sophomore outfielder Sean Dixson, who would lead the team in runs at the end of the game (2), scored.
A single by Eastern Kentucky catcher A.J. Lewis led to two RBI’s and Colonels’ lead.
Following a quiet second inning, the Colonels managed to score 5 times in the bottom of the third, putting the Skyhawks into a 1-7 hole. This lead proved to be insurmountable for UTM, as the Skyhawks were never able to keep pace following the first big inning by their opponent.
The Skyhawks put two points on the board in the fifth inning and once in the sixth inning, creating a more manageable deficit of 4-8 going into the bottom of the sixth.
However, the Colonels recorded nine runs in this inning and put UTM down 4-17.
The Skyhawks went on to put up two more points in the game, but ultimately fell short in a rocky start to the series.
Junior pitcher Sam Folks (3-1) was credited with the loss, allowing eight hits and eight runs through five innings pitched.
The next game of the series, though with a closer margin, still resulted in a resounding loss for the Skyhawks. Eastern Kentucky took game two 14-4.
UTM once again struck first in the first inning off of an RBI by Davis, but the Colonels answered back in the second inning with two home runs. A homer by Eastern Kentucky shortstop Daniel Harris IV was followed up by a three-RBI homer by second baseman Ryan Kerr.
A fielding error by Eastern Kentucky in the third would allow senior outfielder Jordan Stoner to record an unearned run and shorten the Colonels’ lead to 4-2.
The Colonels would go on to score three more points in the fourth or fifth inning before tallying five runs in the sixth, putting the Skyhawks into a 4-12 hole.
UTM was unable to score after the sixth and the Colonels took game two with a 14-4 win. Senior pitcher Austen Bullington (1-4) was given the loss.
The Skyhawks would play their best defense of the series in game three, only allowing eight runs. Junior pitcher Winston Cannon, who was given the loss, allowed three runs over 3.2 innings pitched with four strikeouts.
UTM and Eastern Kentucky went punch-for-punch in the first inning, with both teams recording two points. Daniels took advantage of a wild pitch and ran home. Stoner advanced to third off of this same wild pitch and eventually run it home.
Eastern Kentucky outfielder Will Johnson singled up the middle in the second inning, scoring 2 RBI’s and giving the Colonels a 4-2 lead.
Senior Creighton Eldridge cranked a homer in the fourth. Dixson would also contribute to the score sheet with a double that led to two RBI’s, briefly giving UTM a 5-4 lead.
That lead would come to a quick end after Eastern Kentucky infielder scored an RBI off of a single, allowing Harris IV to run home.
The Colonels would reclaim the lead with single points in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings, winning game three 8-5. Darren Williams (1-0), who allowed no runs over his three innings pitched, was credited with his first win of the season.
UTM now sits behind Tennessee Tech for last place in the OVC. The Skyhawks will return to Martin on March 27 to face off against Union.
Statistics used are from UTM Sports Information.
