UT MARTIN BASEBALL FALLS IN LATE INNINGS AT ALABAMA A&M

Tuesday, March 21

Huntsville, Ala.

2 p.m.

UT Martin

5-17

Alabama A&M

10-9

UT Martin

Alabama A&M

UT MARTIN BASEBALL FALLS IN LATE INNINGS AT ALABAMA A&M

3/21/2023 10:20:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score PDF Boxscore

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The University of Tennessee at Martin baseball team held a lead going into the bottom of the eighth inning but Alabama A&M scored two runs to cap off a rally in an 8-7 Skyhawk setback.

UT Martin took a 1-0 lead after the top of the second and also held leads of 2-1, 3-2 and 7-1 before the Bulldogs scored seven unanswered runs to end the game.

For the fifth time in the last six games, the Skyhawks (5-17) outhit their opponent as UT Martin banged out 10 hits to Alabama A&M's eight. The Skyhawk offense set a season-high with four doubles while also drawing seven walks and swiping three bases today.

Andrew Fernandez went 4-for-5 with a pair of doubles and a stolen base while Jonah Wichman also provided a two-hit day with two RBI's. Caleb Hobson homered and scored twice while Hunter McLean also scored a pair of runs.

On the mound, UT Martin allowed four earned runs while striking out six Bulldogs. Zach Wager got the starting nod and was superb, conceding just three hits over four shutout innings. Baylor Jones (one inning) and Tristan Walton (0.1 innings) each made scoreless appearances out of the bullpen. Campbell Cleveland (0-2) did not allow a hit in the eighth inning but was charged with the loss after conceding two runs.

Wager retired the side in order in the bottom of the first before stranding the bases loaded in the second inning. He only allowed one hit – a single – over his final two frames, striking out the final batter he faced, leaving the game with a 1-0 lead.

The Skyhawks got on the scoreboard in the top of the second as Self singled to leadoff the inning. Two batters later, Wichman found the gap in left center for an RBI double to break the scoreless tie.

UT Martin struck again in the top of the fifth as Hobson went opposite field for a home run that sailed beyond the wall in right center. It marked the first homer of the 2023 campaign for the junior centerfielder out of Pontotoc, Miss.

Alabama A&M (10-9) scored its first run in the bottom of the fifth but the Skyhawks answered right back with a run in their next at-bat. McLean was issued a leadoff walk and soon stole second. Following a Mac Danford walk, Wichman laced an RBI single to push UT Martin ahead by a 3-1 margin.

Jones silenced the Bulldog bats in the bottom of the sixth and the Skyhawks capitalized on that momentum, pouncing for four runs in the seventh. Hobson walked to lead off the frame and swiped second base before Fernandez crushed an RBI double. Will Smith then walked and McLean was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Self, who drew an RBI walk. Smith later came in to score on a passed ball before McLean crossed the plate on a short popout. When the dust settled, UT Martin led by a 7-1 margin with nine outs left to record for a victory.

Unfortunately, Alabama A&M scored five runs (four of which were unearned) in the bottom of the seventh to make the score 7-6. The Bulldogs then pushed across two runs in the eighth to claim the comeback win.

The Skyhawks continue their eight-game road swing this weekend when they begin Ohio Valley Conference play. UT Martin will visit Eastern Illinois for a three-game set, starting on Friday, March 24 and running through Sunday, March 26.