SKYHAWK BASEBALL CONCLUDES FOUR-GAME HOMESTAND TOMORROW WITH ALABAMA A&M

MARTIN, Tenn.- The University of Tennessee at Martin baseball team welcomes in Alabama A&M for a midweek contest this Tuesday, March 18 at 5 p.m.

The bout will serve as the final midweek game before the Skyhawks enter conference play this weekend with Western Illinois. This will also be the first of two midweek games between the Bulldogs and the Skyhawks with a trip to Huntsville, Ala. on Tuesday, May 7.

As a team, UT Martin holds a .281 batting average while ranking 19^th nationally in doubles (47). The 191 hits and .439 slugging mark is good enough for third-best in the Ohio Valley Conference.

The pitching staff for the Skyhawks has punched out 124 batters and over the last seven games and has accumulated a 3.92 ERA. During that seven-game span, the bullpen has been exceptional with a 1.25 ERA over 21.2 innings pitched.

Outfielder Will Smith paces the team in hits (27) and batting average (.346) as the senior has put together a .487 slugging percentage. Junior infielder Cole Smith peppered the outfield against Illinois State, recording a double in every single game to bring his season total to six. Additionally, Andrew Fernandez (team-best four home runs) and Mac Danford (team-high seven doubles) have created a balanced batting order for UT Martin.

Skyhawk relief pitcher Tucker Reed was flawless in last week's games with no runs allowed and four strikeouts over three appearances. Brock Arender (five innings pitched, five strikeouts and no earned runs) has been a lockdown option out of the bullpen.

Tristan Curless leads the Alabama A&M attack with team-highs in batting average (.327), hits (18), doubles (six), home runs (two) and slugging percentage (.582). Blake Martin (.419 on-base percentage), Jesus Riera (.514 slugging percentage) and Alex Diaz (.321 batting average) give the Bulldogs threats throughout the lineup. Trey Scott (11 strikeouts in 9.1 innings) has made a team-high seven appearances while Charlie Lazo sports a team-best 5.59 ERA over six relief outings.

UT Martin is expected to start senior right-hander Choyce Diffey (1-2, 10.47 ERA). This will be the fifth start of the season for Diffey, who has struck out 15 batters in 16.1 innings pitched.

Fans can follow along with the live stats link above.

SKYHAWK BASEBALL CONCLUDES FOUR-GAME HOMESTAND TOMORROW WITH ALABAMA A&M

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Brock Arender

Mac Danford

Choyce Diffey

Andrew Fernandez

Tucker Reed

Cole Smith

Will Smith