Thursday, March 28
Martin, Tenn.
5 p.m.
UT Martin
vs
Eastern Illinois
UT MARTIN BASEBALL WELCOMES IN DEFENDING OVC TOURNAMENT CHAMPION EASTERN ILLINOIS FOR LEAGUE HOME OPENER
3/27/2024 3:29:00 PM | Baseball
MARTIN, Tenn.- The University of Tennessee at Martin baseball team is set to host the defending Ohio Valley Conference Tournament champions Eastern Illinois this week for a three-game series. Game 1 is set for Thursday, March 28 at 5 p.m. and Game 2 will follow on Friday, March 29 at 3 p.m. The series finale will come on Saturday, March 30 at 1 p.m.
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This will be the third straight season UT Martin (9-16, 1-2 OVC) has hosted the Panthers as the Skyhawks have won three of the last four series against Eastern Illinois dating back to 2019.
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UT Martin ranks among the top offenses in the OVC in doubles (first, 58), batting average (second, .281), hits (second, 251), total bases (third, 401), home runs (fourth, 28) and slugging percentage (fourth, .462).
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Mac Danford holds the team lead in homers (five) and RBI's (25, fifth-most in the OVC) as Will Smith tops the team in batting average (.354) and hits (34). Jalen Fithian ranks in the top five in the league in doubles (eight), Zac Rice is eighth in hits (32) and Andrew Fernandez leads the team in on-base percentage (.445).
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Tucker Reed has been phenomenal for the Skyhawks as he hasn't allowed a run over seven appearances since Feb. 25. Overall, the senior righty sports a 3.00 ERA with a 1-0 record and a save. The senior duo of Tristan Walton and Eric Steensma has been one of the best 1-2 punches in the OVC as both rank in the top-10 in ERA (3.31 for Steensma, 3.38 for Walton), opposing batting average (.235 for Walton, .261 for Steensma), and innings pitched (35.1 for Steensma, 32.0 for Walton).
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After a remarkable run to the NCAA Tournament last season, Eastern Illinois (5-16, 0-3 OVC) returns quality arms and some big bats. Reigning OVC Player of the Week Dylan Drumke has been on a tear with an eight-game hitting streak (.433 average, 13 runs scored, 19 RBI's, three doubles, five home runs and five walks in that span). Lucas Loos has slapped nine doubles with a team-best .372 average (fifth in the OVC).
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Jonathan Hanscom has made seven appearances out of the bullpen with one start compiling a 4.43 ERA and 8.51 strikeouts per nine innings ratio. Freshman right-hander Bryce Riggs has brought home an OVC Pitcher of the Week award as he has made three starts and thrown 22.2 innings.
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UT Martin is expected to throw the senior lefty Walton (2-3) in Game 1, the redshirt senior righty Steensma (2-2) in Game 2 and sophomore right-hander Jeb Bartle (1-1, 6.14 ERA) in Game 3. The Panthers probable starters are senior righty Colton Coca (0-2, 11.57 ERA) for Game 1, the freshman right-hander Riggs (1-1, 5.56 ERA) in Game 2 and the starter for Game 3 is to be announced.
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Fans can watch the action on ESPN+ for Games 2 and 3 and follow along via the live stats link above for all three contests.
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This will be the third straight season UT Martin (9-16, 1-2 OVC) has hosted the Panthers as the Skyhawks have won three of the last four series against Eastern Illinois dating back to 2019.
Â
UT Martin ranks among the top offenses in the OVC in doubles (first, 58), batting average (second, .281), hits (second, 251), total bases (third, 401), home runs (fourth, 28) and slugging percentage (fourth, .462).
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Mac Danford holds the team lead in homers (five) and RBI's (25, fifth-most in the OVC) as Will Smith tops the team in batting average (.354) and hits (34). Jalen Fithian ranks in the top five in the league in doubles (eight), Zac Rice is eighth in hits (32) and Andrew Fernandez leads the team in on-base percentage (.445).
Â
Tucker Reed has been phenomenal for the Skyhawks as he hasn't allowed a run over seven appearances since Feb. 25. Overall, the senior righty sports a 3.00 ERA with a 1-0 record and a save. The senior duo of Tristan Walton and Eric Steensma has been one of the best 1-2 punches in the OVC as both rank in the top-10 in ERA (3.31 for Steensma, 3.38 for Walton), opposing batting average (.235 for Walton, .261 for Steensma), and innings pitched (35.1 for Steensma, 32.0 for Walton).
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After a remarkable run to the NCAA Tournament last season, Eastern Illinois (5-16, 0-3 OVC) returns quality arms and some big bats. Reigning OVC Player of the Week Dylan Drumke has been on a tear with an eight-game hitting streak (.433 average, 13 runs scored, 19 RBI's, three doubles, five home runs and five walks in that span). Lucas Loos has slapped nine doubles with a team-best .372 average (fifth in the OVC).
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Jonathan Hanscom has made seven appearances out of the bullpen with one start compiling a 4.43 ERA and 8.51 strikeouts per nine innings ratio. Freshman right-hander Bryce Riggs has brought home an OVC Pitcher of the Week award as he has made three starts and thrown 22.2 innings.
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UT Martin is expected to throw the senior lefty Walton (2-3) in Game 1, the redshirt senior righty Steensma (2-2) in Game 2 and sophomore right-hander Jeb Bartle (1-1, 6.14 ERA) in Game 3. The Panthers probable starters are senior righty Colton Coca (0-2, 11.57 ERA) for Game 1, the freshman right-hander Riggs (1-1, 5.56 ERA) in Game 2 and the starter for Game 3 is to be announced.
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Fans can watch the action on ESPN+ for Games 2 and 3 and follow along via the live stats link above for all three contests.
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