Tuesday, March 14
Martin, Tenn.
6 p.m.
UT Martin
vs
Southern Illinois
Photo by: UT Martin Sports Information
UT MARTIN BASEBALL RETURNS HOME FOR TUESDAY SHOWDOWN AGAINST SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
3/13/2023 1:44:00 PM | Baseball
MARTIN, Tenn. – The first leg of a home-and-home baseball series between the University of Tennessee at Martin and Southern Illinois will take place on Tuesday, March 14 at Skyhawk Field. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.
UT Martin (5-12) will look for its third straight home victory in the all-time series against the Salukis. Almost exactly one year ago, the Skyhawks posted a 5-2 win over Southern Illinois on March 15. UT Martin outhit the Salukis by an 11-2 margin as the relief trio of Tucker Reed, Baylor Jones and Trey Ricko combined to allow one earned run on one hit in 4.2 innings. Will Smith (two hits, RBI, run scored), Hunter McLean (RBI, run scored), Alec Beaman (hit, two walks, RBI, run scored) each helped the Skyhawks defeat Southern Illinois, who went on to win 44 games on the way to a Missouri Valley Conference regular season championship.
This past week against the likes of Toledo and Central Arkansas, McLean hit an even .500 (7-of-14) in four starts for UT Martin – tacking on a team-high .588 on-base percentage while going 3-for-3 in stolen bases. Smith hit .444 (8-of-18) with a team-high five runs scored while Nate Self collected a .385 batting average with a team-best six RBI's. On the mound, Reed picked up a victory on March 8 against Toledo with two scoreless frames while Eric Steensma generated a 1.17 ERA over two relief outings spanning 7.2 innings.
Against the Salukis, left-hander Zach Wager (0-1, 3.86 ERA) is expected to make his fifth appearance and third start of the 2023 campaign. The freshman from Columbus, Ind. has not conceded over two earned runs in any of his four appearances and has allowed just one extra-base hit over his first 9.1 collegiate innings.
Southern Illinois (6-10) enters the contest on a four-game skid, falling 5-4 at Ohio Valley Conference member SIUE last Tuesday before being swept at home against Kentucky over the weekend. Nathan Bandy's .413 batting average and .438 on-base percentage leads the Saluki regulars while Pier-Olivier Boucher is hitting .323 with a team-high .600 slugging percentage.
Junior righty Jake Combs (0-1, 4.15 ERA) is listed as Southern Illinois' probable starting pitcher. He will make his fourth start of the spring as he sports a team-best 1.08 WHIP. Morehead State transfer Sam Replogle (3.00 ERA in five appearances) has been the Salukis' best option out of the bullpen while Preseason All-American Matthew Steidl (one save, 12 strikeouts in 12 innings) has made a team-high seven relief appearances.
Live stats will be available for this game by clicking the link above.
UT Martin (5-12) will look for its third straight home victory in the all-time series against the Salukis. Almost exactly one year ago, the Skyhawks posted a 5-2 win over Southern Illinois on March 15. UT Martin outhit the Salukis by an 11-2 margin as the relief trio of Tucker Reed, Baylor Jones and Trey Ricko combined to allow one earned run on one hit in 4.2 innings. Will Smith (two hits, RBI, run scored), Hunter McLean (RBI, run scored), Alec Beaman (hit, two walks, RBI, run scored) each helped the Skyhawks defeat Southern Illinois, who went on to win 44 games on the way to a Missouri Valley Conference regular season championship.
This past week against the likes of Toledo and Central Arkansas, McLean hit an even .500 (7-of-14) in four starts for UT Martin – tacking on a team-high .588 on-base percentage while going 3-for-3 in stolen bases. Smith hit .444 (8-of-18) with a team-high five runs scored while Nate Self collected a .385 batting average with a team-best six RBI's. On the mound, Reed picked up a victory on March 8 against Toledo with two scoreless frames while Eric Steensma generated a 1.17 ERA over two relief outings spanning 7.2 innings.
Against the Salukis, left-hander Zach Wager (0-1, 3.86 ERA) is expected to make his fifth appearance and third start of the 2023 campaign. The freshman from Columbus, Ind. has not conceded over two earned runs in any of his four appearances and has allowed just one extra-base hit over his first 9.1 collegiate innings.
Southern Illinois (6-10) enters the contest on a four-game skid, falling 5-4 at Ohio Valley Conference member SIUE last Tuesday before being swept at home against Kentucky over the weekend. Nathan Bandy's .413 batting average and .438 on-base percentage leads the Saluki regulars while Pier-Olivier Boucher is hitting .323 with a team-high .600 slugging percentage.
Junior righty Jake Combs (0-1, 4.15 ERA) is listed as Southern Illinois' probable starting pitcher. He will make his fourth start of the spring as he sports a team-best 1.08 WHIP. Morehead State transfer Sam Replogle (3.00 ERA in five appearances) has been the Salukis' best option out of the bullpen while Preseason All-American Matthew Steidl (one save, 12 strikeouts in 12 innings) has made a team-high seven relief appearances.
Live stats will be available for this game by clicking the link above.
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