The UTM baseball squad dropped the third straight game against the undefeated Mercer University Sunday.
In the third straight day, the Skyhawks were unable to make enough happen from either side of the plate against the Bears. The first inning seemed the most pivotal as Mercer scored seven runs leading to UTM’s 11-4 defeat.
For the first time, this season, senior Jefferey O’Doherty got the start for the Skyhawks. Against a high power offense that is nationally recognized, O’Doherty had a rough go at things. He allowed seven runs to cross the plate (six earned) on five hits as he was unable to produce an out in the affair. He was replaced after the fact by Freshman Ryan Insco. Insco got out of the inning, but the damage was down as the Skyhawks tried to combat the early deficit.
Junior Blake Davis showcased UTM’s ability to fight momentum as he singled to bring home a run in the second. Putting the Skyhawks on the board was a success in the early goings of this high scoring game.
As Insco faced off against Mercer in the second, he pitched to his strengths. However, he gave up his first few runs on the year after allowing none to cross the plate thus far in this young season. Insco finished the day going four innings as he allowed three runs in the solid relief effort.
Down 9-1 in the fourth, the effort was focused on making anything happen. Junior Blake Daniels did just that as he hit a sacrifice fly to make it 9-2.The Skyhawks allowed one more in the fourth to push the Bears into the double-digit mark. Both teams stopped scoring until the seventh inning as both senior Sean Dixson and junior Ethan Whitley singled in runs to cut the lead to 10-4.
While the lead was significant, the Skyhawks produced quality relief as freshman Mitchell Ford, and sophomore Seth Perry both pitched scoreless innings in the fifth and sixth.
Senior Derek Hussey also showcased his abilities as he pitched the final two innings, only allowing one run. Regardless of the excellent relief effort, the starting deficit was to large to overcome as the Skyhawks fell 11-4.
UTM returns to action Tuesday as they face-off against Evansville in the home opener.
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