Photo by: UT Martin Sports Information
UT MARTIN BASEBALL SLIDES THROUGH FIRST OFFICIAL PRACTICE OF 2022
1/28/2022 4:39:00 PM | Baseball
MARTIN, Tenn. – Exactly three weeks before the genesis of the 2022 NCAA baseball season, the University of Tennessee at Martin squad laced up their cleats and tightened their caps for the start of practice #1 at Skyhawk Baseball Field. Engaging in an intersquad scrimmage to signify the dawn of a new campaign, the Skyhawks' anxious anticipation for next month's first pitch on their home turf won't linger much longer now that official practice reps have begun.
Approaching head coach Ryan Jenkins' fifth year as the program's ring leader, the 2022 edition of UTM's diamond club returns 27 members that represented last spring's 19-29 finish, hoping to build off of several statistical program highs in 2021, primarily on the mound. Collectively holding a 5.24 ERA – the highest mark in school history since joining the Division I level 29 years ago – last year's Skyhawks posted 58 home runs, 413 pitching strikeouts, and eight saves, which rank 2nd, 3rd, and 4th in the school record books, respectively.
Despite Friday's frigid temperature, the energy of both players and staff was palpable 21 days out from 2022's first pitch, scheduled for Feb. 18 against Miami (Ohio) in Martin. Bringing back five batters who started at least 40 games a season ago, the Skyhawks registered the first two wins over nationally-ranked teams underneath coach Jenkins' tenure their last time out, downing then-#22 Alabama in Tuscaloosa 9-4 before doing the same to #11 Ole Miss 9-7 back in May.
Returnees Casey Harford, Wil LaFollette, Ethan Whitley, Will Smith, and Blake Davis added up for 212 hits, 34 doubles, 35 homers, and 132 RBI throughout last season. A combined batting average of .256 between those five plus an influx of new pitchers to the roster bring a vast level of excitement to UTM's opener with the Redhawks and for the rest of the team's 51-game schedule.
Approaching head coach Ryan Jenkins' fifth year as the program's ring leader, the 2022 edition of UTM's diamond club returns 27 members that represented last spring's 19-29 finish, hoping to build off of several statistical program highs in 2021, primarily on the mound. Collectively holding a 5.24 ERA – the highest mark in school history since joining the Division I level 29 years ago – last year's Skyhawks posted 58 home runs, 413 pitching strikeouts, and eight saves, which rank 2nd, 3rd, and 4th in the school record books, respectively.
Despite Friday's frigid temperature, the energy of both players and staff was palpable 21 days out from 2022's first pitch, scheduled for Feb. 18 against Miami (Ohio) in Martin. Bringing back five batters who started at least 40 games a season ago, the Skyhawks registered the first two wins over nationally-ranked teams underneath coach Jenkins' tenure their last time out, downing then-#22 Alabama in Tuscaloosa 9-4 before doing the same to #11 Ole Miss 9-7 back in May.
Returnees Casey Harford, Wil LaFollette, Ethan Whitley, Will Smith, and Blake Davis added up for 212 hits, 34 doubles, 35 homers, and 132 RBI throughout last season. A combined batting average of .256 between those five plus an influx of new pitchers to the roster bring a vast level of excitement to UTM's opener with the Redhawks and for the rest of the team's 51-game schedule.
Players Mentioned
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/ BaseballFriday, May 29
Friday, May 29
Friday, May 29
Friday, May 29