UTM’s baseball team couldn’t turn the tides as a few big innings led to their defeat to the University of Alabama 10-5.
As the Skyhawks took their recent hot streak of winning three of their last four to Tuscaloosa, the task seemed the most difficult of this young season. The Crimson Tide opened their season 7-0, after winning over 30 games the previous season. Going up against one of the main culprits that make the SEC one of the most prolific conferences is a daunting task in itself. However, the Skyhawks accepted the assignment and meet the Crimson Tide and put forth a challenge, unlike anything they had seen this year.
UTM started the matchup a little rocky as they threw out freshman Austin Kasick. Kasick made his first start of the season after the Skyhawks used their mid-week starter, Seth Perry, in relief against Siena. The freshman reliever turned starter did a formidable job in the first as he allowed just one run after putting the first two batters on base.
The Skyhawks were able to play catchup as they scored in the top of the second on junior Blake Dabis’ single that allowed junior Casey Harford to round home.
Not to be outdone, the No. 26 team in batting average and No. 43 team in runs showcased why they are undefeated thus far in the season. Kasick got into a sticky situation in the bottom of the second as Alabama loaded the bases and struck multiple times in a row to give them the 5-1 lead. Kasick ended his day after that as he went two innings, giving up five runs on three hits and three walks.
UTM continued to stick around with their competition in the third inning. Freshman Christian Hall displayed the power that he was recruited for as he belted one to right center. The Skyhawks fought even more as Harford doubled to left field to score another one. It all finished up with junior Andruw McKenzie grounding out to score the third run in the inning to make it 5-4.
Freshman Jack Knight showcased his arsenal after Kasick’s day ended. Knight pitched 1.1 innings and gave up only one earned run in his time. However, three runs crossed the plate in the third and fourth inning because of errors making the score 8-4.
In the second straight game, the Skyhawks turned to a starter to help relieve the game as senior Sam Folks obliqued. Folks pitched masterfully against the hot-hitting Crimson Tide going an inning and allowing no hits.
As UTM went to their bullpen a couple more times, Alabama finished off their scoring in the sixth with a two-run single to give them double digits.It was the Skyhawks that would finish the scoring as Sean Dixson surpassed his career-high with his fourth home run of the season to left center in the seventh inning. Both teams cooled down from the plate and finished the game with a score of 10-5 in Alabama’s favor.
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