UT MARTIN'S RALLY FALLS SHORT AS IT DROPS ITS SECOND GAME AGAINST THE BEARS

Saturday, February 29

Macon, Ga.

1 p.m.

UT Martin

4-6

Mercer

10-0

UT Martin

Mercer

UT MARTIN'S RALLY FALLS SHORT AS IT DROPS ITS SECOND GAME AGAINST THE BEARS

2/29/2020 4:23:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score PDF

MACON, Ga. - The University of Tennessee at Martin's baseball club fell short again against Mercer after a late inning rally was stalled by the Bears in the 8-4 defeat.

Thus far in the season, UT Martin has struggled in the early innings. However, the Skyhawks flipped that trait in the first inning as they scored first against their nationally recognized opponents, Mercer University. Heading into the matchup against the Bears, the Skyhawks have been outscored in the first inning 10-3. That wasn't the case as UT Martin struck first for two runs in the first inning. Freshman Wil LaFollette has already become a common name for the Skyhawks as he is enjoying his first-year campaign. He continued to add to that in this game as he blasted a shot to left-center to score both him and senior Sean Dixson.

That lead lasted shorter than the Skyhawks had hoped as the Bears struck in the bottom of the second inning. While the first inning has plagued the Skyhawks, it is the second inning that is the toughest. UT Martin so far has been outscored 13-2 in the second inning before this matchup. After the inning had ended, left-handed senior Sam Folks had given up three runs to give the Bears the slight 3-2 edge.

Folks gave up just one more run in his outing as he established a successful outing by giving up four runs in his five innings of work. With this added run that happened in the fourth inning, Mercer lead 4-2 after Folks exited.

The Skyhawks gained a little momentum in the sixth inning as they produced back to back hits, but managed to get nothing out of the streaky hitting. Though the deficit grew in numbers after Nick Wohlbold gave up his first runs of the season, the Skyhawks didn't lose faith. Heading into the ninth, they trailed the Bears 8-2 but gained two runs to cut the deficit on the defeat. Junior Ethan Whitley doubled home a run, and then junior Houston Wright brought him home on a single to centerfield. Before it was all said and done, the final score favored Mercer, as the Skyhawks fell to the Bears for the second straight day, 8-4.

UT Martin heads to the final day of the three-game matchup hoping to avoid the sweep tomorrow at noon.

Game Notes- Wil LaFollette led all hitters with three hits and two RBIs. His home run is his second on the season... Ethan Whitley also showcased his ability to hit the ball as he produced his first multi-hit game in the 2020 season.