Friday, February 23
Martin, Tenn.
2 p.m.
UT Martin
vs
Brown
SKYHAWK BASEBALL WRAPS UP HOMESTAND WITH IVY LEAGUE MEMBER BROWN THIS WEEKEND; GAME TIMES ALTERED
2/22/2024 12:00:00 PM | Baseball
MARTIN, Tenn.- The University of Tennessee at Martin baseball team will conclude its season-long homestand with Brown this weekend. Game 1 is now scheduled for Friday, Feb. 23 at 2 p.m., Game 2 will take place on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 1 p.m. and the series finale is set for Sunday, Feb. 25 at 11 a.m.
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The Skyhawks currently lead the Ohio Valley Conference in batting average (.320), runs scored (30), hits (48), doubles (11) and slugging percentage (.520). A large reason why is Andrew Fernandez, who has been off to an incredible start through the first four games of the season. The senior infielder leads the team in home runs (two), batting average (.500), hits (eight), slugging percentage (1.063) and total bases (17).
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Cole Smith possesses a team-high four walks while holding the best on-base percentage (.600) for UT Martin. Left fielder Hunter McLean has posted a stout .923 slugging percentage in the first four games with a double, triple and homerun to begin his senior campaign. Junior shortstop Jalen Fithian is coming off his second multi-hit game of the season as he went 3-for-5 with two RBI's and a run scored against Southern Illinois on Tuesday.
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The Skyhawk pitching staff has seen solid performances from Eric Steensma (1-0 record, 1.93 ERA, 4.2 innings pitched, two strikeouts), Zach Wager (six innings pitched, team-high four strikeouts, .190 opposing batting average) and Dylan Lapic (0.00 ERA, three strikeouts and 3.1 innings over two relief appearances). Additionally, Baylor Jones made his season debut against Southern Illinois and pitched two scoreless innings while only allowing one hit.
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The Skyhawks' probable starting pitchers are senior southpaw Tristan Walton (0-1, 4.50 ERA) on Friday, redshirt senior righty Steensma on Saturday and sophomore left-hander Wager (0-1, 4.50) on Sunday. Walton was the Opening Day starter for UT Martin, but weather delays limited to him to just two innings.
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This weekend marks the first games of the season for Brown as they make the trip to Skyhawk Field from Providence, RI. The Bears are coached by Grant Achilles, who enters his 10th season over the program.
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Mika Peterson is Brown's leading returning hitter as the centerfielder hit .353 with an active 27-game on-base streak on his way to All-Ivy first team honors as a freshman in 2023. Senior first baseman Reece Rappoli also returns after starting 59 games over the past two seasons, posting a team-high .333 batting average for the Bears in 2022.
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Brown's probable starting pitchers are junior right-hander Jack Seppings (All-Ivy second teamer, 49 strikeouts in 37 innings in 2023) in Game 1, senior righty Paxton Meyers (.175 opponent batting average in 33 innings last season) in Game 2 and junior right-hander Santhosh Gottam (11 starts last spring) in Game 3.
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This weekend's games can be followed via the live stats links above.
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The Skyhawks currently lead the Ohio Valley Conference in batting average (.320), runs scored (30), hits (48), doubles (11) and slugging percentage (.520). A large reason why is Andrew Fernandez, who has been off to an incredible start through the first four games of the season. The senior infielder leads the team in home runs (two), batting average (.500), hits (eight), slugging percentage (1.063) and total bases (17).
Â
Cole Smith possesses a team-high four walks while holding the best on-base percentage (.600) for UT Martin. Left fielder Hunter McLean has posted a stout .923 slugging percentage in the first four games with a double, triple and homerun to begin his senior campaign. Junior shortstop Jalen Fithian is coming off his second multi-hit game of the season as he went 3-for-5 with two RBI's and a run scored against Southern Illinois on Tuesday.
Â
The Skyhawk pitching staff has seen solid performances from Eric Steensma (1-0 record, 1.93 ERA, 4.2 innings pitched, two strikeouts), Zach Wager (six innings pitched, team-high four strikeouts, .190 opposing batting average) and Dylan Lapic (0.00 ERA, three strikeouts and 3.1 innings over two relief appearances). Additionally, Baylor Jones made his season debut against Southern Illinois and pitched two scoreless innings while only allowing one hit.
Â
The Skyhawks' probable starting pitchers are senior southpaw Tristan Walton (0-1, 4.50 ERA) on Friday, redshirt senior righty Steensma on Saturday and sophomore left-hander Wager (0-1, 4.50) on Sunday. Walton was the Opening Day starter for UT Martin, but weather delays limited to him to just two innings.
Â
This weekend marks the first games of the season for Brown as they make the trip to Skyhawk Field from Providence, RI. The Bears are coached by Grant Achilles, who enters his 10th season over the program.
Â
Mika Peterson is Brown's leading returning hitter as the centerfielder hit .353 with an active 27-game on-base streak on his way to All-Ivy first team honors as a freshman in 2023. Senior first baseman Reece Rappoli also returns after starting 59 games over the past two seasons, posting a team-high .333 batting average for the Bears in 2022.
Â
Brown's probable starting pitchers are junior right-hander Jack Seppings (All-Ivy second teamer, 49 strikeouts in 37 innings in 2023) in Game 1, senior righty Paxton Meyers (.175 opponent batting average in 33 innings last season) in Game 2 and junior right-hander Santhosh Gottam (11 starts last spring) in Game 3.
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This weekend's games can be followed via the live stats links above.
Players Mentioned
UTIL
/ Baseball
IF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball
UTIL
/ Baseball
IF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball
LHP
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