THE DYNAMIC DUO: THE STORY BEHIND UT MARTIN'S SENIOR PITCHERS

A map will show that if you search for the distance between Franklin, Tenn. and Cookeville, Tenn. it comes out at roughly 96 miles. Unless someone is a frequent traveler to both places, that information seems meaningless. However, 96 miles is the exact distance that was needed for the University of Tennessee at Martin to find their No. 1 and No. 2 starting pitchers.

It is a simple correlation when someone searches up the history of Skyhawk baseball; they find senior's Winston Cannon and Sam Folks right next to each other. That seems only fitting because, without Folk's influence on Cannon before they were even Skyhawks, the dynamic duo wouldn't exist.

For both Cannon and Folks, the journey began at the age of three years old. Even going into their 20th year of baseball, they still love the game more and more every day.

"I played tee-ball at three, so baseball has pretty much been my entire life," Cannon said. "I grew up always loving baseball, and I always wanted to play Division I, that was my dream."

"I started when I was three, I actually played on my brother's tee-ball team, and he is a few years older than me, so I actually played up when I was three," Folks said. "I am going on my 20th year of baseball, and it's crazy."

Before Cannon and Folks dawned an orange and blue Skyhawks uniform, they shared the same jersey in a summer baseball league. In that league, they became friends, as Folks was committed to UT Martin, Cannon remained unsigned and unsure where he wanted to play baseball.

Folks knew from the get-go that he wanted to be a Skyhawk. His blood remained blue and orange since he was a child, as his grandpa showcased his talent at UT Martin from 1957-59. So quickly, his influence as a commit started to affect Cannon, as he signed on not too long after.

"I got recruited to come here, and got a scholarship offer and came and visited," Cannon said. "I played with Sam the summer before, he was coming here (UT Martin) and kind of talked me into it and I'm glad I made that decision."

It all started with a shared summer league team, and soon enough that 96-mile bridge was connected to make the final destination Martin, Tenn. As young freshmen, they struggled as both players played host to ERA's above six. However, it wasn't long before they started to come around and be successful in the Skyhawk uniform.

Coach Ryan Jenkins has seen these two athletes grow into their roles in the starting rotation, and it's easy to attribute their success to their hard work.

"I love those guys; they are both hard workers," Jenkins said.

Down to their final year as UT Martin athletes, the dynamic duo has set the standard for many pitchers to come. Their names are echoed throughout the Skyhawk record book. Both players made history last year as they started 14 games each, to put them in ninth place for the most starts in a season. Cannon's success also put him in the all-time career records category as he is tied for second all-time in games started and third all-time in strikeouts.

After such a historic career, both players are taking it one step at a time as they play out their final ride.

"It was awesome to step in as freshmen together, growing up with Winston; it was nice," Folks said. "I am just going to take it all in because this is our last ride together."

Over the past four years, there is no dispute that these players have made memories that will last a lifetime. However, when you ask both guys which moment meant the most to them, they will both say that it was winning the play-in game against Eastern Illinois last year in the OVC tournament.

That taste of victory was so sweet in fact that these seniors are planning on achieving something that has never been done in UT Martin baseball history.

"Winning the play-in game last season in the OVC tournament (was my favorite memory), I know that it is a small step to some people, but that was a big step for this program," Cannon said. "I'm hoping this year, I can make my new favorite memory, and that is getting that ring on my finger."

To get the gold, these seniors have devised a new strategy for success. They know that their success is built on the youngest players of the squad, to utilize that they need to lead together.

"When you bring in a lot of freshmen, and everyone doesn't know what to do, they are kind of like a lost puppy," Folks said. "It has been fun just pointing them in the right direction and helping them go down the right path."

With a vast number of newcomers taking the reigns as starters, the two pitcher's leadership is needed. Before the season began, they started thinking about this idea and put the plan in motion as workouts began.

"It goes back to when I was a freshman and coming in and having those key senior leaders that helped me grow," Cannon said. "It's been an honor to bring in so many new guys...it has been so much fun to guide them in the right direction."

Both players offer more than just their names in the record books, but a foundation to build off of. Last year the Skyhawks tied the school record for Division I victories, and both players played a significant role in that feat. These pitchers have helped instill a new tone in Skyhawk baseball, and their roles in helping revitalize the program will not be soon forgotten.

"To be a player all four years here and having the opportunity to change the program is nice," Folks said. "UT Martin isn't really known for baseball, but hopefully Winston and I left our footprint. Hopefully, everyone can just learn from us and navigate all the ups and downs to get this program on track."

Regardless of what the future holds, there is still the now, and now the journey towards OVC gold begins with Southeast Missouri State University. The Redhawks are set to be the first OVC opponent that the Skyhawks will face on their hopeful journey. For these seniors, there is nothing more that you can ask for then to be able to play in front of a home crowd with all their friends and family in attendance. The journey will be tough, but it is nice to know that it all begins at home.

"It's always fun to play at home in front of your fans, and in front of your families, it is just an honor to put that Skyhawk uniform on in front of my family," Cannon said. "I am super excited for SEMO and to start conference and to start off on a good note at home."

THE DYNAMIC DUO: THE STORY BEHIND UT MARTIN'S SENIOR PITCHERS

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