Photo by: UT Martin Sports Information
UT MARTIN BASEBALL HOLDS FIRST OFFICIAL TEAM PRACTICE OF 2023 SEASON
1/27/2023 5:40:00 PM | Baseball
MARTIN, Tenn. – Exactly three weeks away from its season opener, the University of Tennessee at Martin baseball squad took the field for its first official practice in windy conditions this afternoon.
Skyhawk head coach Ryan Jenkins returns 19 players for the 2023 campaign, including Ohio Valley Conference All-Freshman Blaze Bell (.304 batting average, .831 OPS in OVC play in 2022). Five returning position players started at least 40 games last spring, including Will Smith (48 hits, team-best 24 walks), Jack Culumovic (team-best .393 on-base percentage in OVC play) and Alec Beaman (eighth in the OVC with 116 assists).
Nate Self logged 29 starts at third base while the catching duo of Cameron Brady/Chance Merithew and the versatile Hunter McLean all started 22 games a year ago. Juniors Benny DeTrude and Carson Deer are also back in 2023.
On the mound, Seth Petry (team-high 59.1 innings pitched) and Eric Steensma (back from injury after posting a 4.87 ERA with a .245 opponent batting average in 2021) each boast significant experience in starting roles.
Right-handers Baylor Jones (team-high 20 appearances, two saves), Tucker Reed (4.97 ERA, team-best 45 strikeouts), Trey Ricko (.232 opponent batting average) and J. Henry Hobson (only 12 walks in 34 innings as a rookie) all made at least 15 appearances out of the UT Martin bullpen in 2022. The junior trio of Warren Lee, Eli Martin and Grant Crihfield also return.
A total of 18 newcomers join the Skyhawks this spring, a list that includes 11 upperclassmen. Nine position players and nine pitchers will look to make an impact in their debut seasons.
UT Martin begins its 31st year of NCAA Division I baseball on Feb. 17-19 when it travels to Nashville to take on Belmont for a four-game set.
Gallery: (1-27-2023) Baseball First Practice
Skyhawk head coach Ryan Jenkins returns 19 players for the 2023 campaign, including Ohio Valley Conference All-Freshman Blaze Bell (.304 batting average, .831 OPS in OVC play in 2022). Five returning position players started at least 40 games last spring, including Will Smith (48 hits, team-best 24 walks), Jack Culumovic (team-best .393 on-base percentage in OVC play) and Alec Beaman (eighth in the OVC with 116 assists).
Nate Self logged 29 starts at third base while the catching duo of Cameron Brady/Chance Merithew and the versatile Hunter McLean all started 22 games a year ago. Juniors Benny DeTrude and Carson Deer are also back in 2023.
On the mound, Seth Petry (team-high 59.1 innings pitched) and Eric Steensma (back from injury after posting a 4.87 ERA with a .245 opponent batting average in 2021) each boast significant experience in starting roles.
Right-handers Baylor Jones (team-high 20 appearances, two saves), Tucker Reed (4.97 ERA, team-best 45 strikeouts), Trey Ricko (.232 opponent batting average) and J. Henry Hobson (only 12 walks in 34 innings as a rookie) all made at least 15 appearances out of the UT Martin bullpen in 2022. The junior trio of Warren Lee, Eli Martin and Grant Crihfield also return.
A total of 18 newcomers join the Skyhawks this spring, a list that includes 11 upperclassmen. Nine position players and nine pitchers will look to make an impact in their debut seasons.
UT Martin begins its 31st year of NCAA Division I baseball on Feb. 17-19 when it travels to Nashville to take on Belmont for a four-game set.
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