SKYHAWK BASEBALL FALLS 8-3 AGAINST LINDENWOOD

Saturday, May 11

Martin, Tenn.

3 p.m.

UT Martin

20-30, 12-11

Lindenwood

15-35, 8-15

Lindenwood

UT Martin

SKYHAWK BASEBALL FALLS 8-3 AGAINST LINDENWOOD

5/11/2024 10:11:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Stats PDF

MARTIN, Tenn.- The University of Tennessee at Martin baseball team fell 8-3 in Game 2 of its weekend series to Lindenwood today at Skyhawk Field.

The Skyhawks were led offensively by Mac Danford's 3-for-4, two-RBI performance while Jalen Fithian and Andrew Fernandez each had multi-hit outings. Cole Smith also drove in a run while Fithian, Danford and Will Smith each scored once.

Eric Steensma (3-7) started the game on the mound for UT Martin (20-30, 12-11 Ohio Valley Conference) and was charged with the loss after allowing four earned runs. A trio of Skyhawk relievers combined to allow only two runs over the final seven frames as Choyce Diffey began with four innings out of the bullpen. Zach Wager (two innings) and Kaleb Baskin (one frame) also made scoreless appearances this afternoon.

Lindenwood (15-35, 8-15 OVC) scored twice in the first and tacked on four runs in the second frame to claim an early lead.

UT Martin got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second as Danford rifled a double to start the frame and was later plated by Cole Smith on a sacrifice fly.

Diffey worked his first of three straight shutout innings in the third, masterfully pitching out of a potential jam where the Lions placed a runner on third base with nobody out. He induced a big double play in the fourth before retiring the side in order on just 10 pitches in the fifth.

Lindenwood scored twice in the sixth before Wager took over mid-inning and kept the Lions off the scoreboard. The sophomore lefty stranded two runners in the eighth when Will Smith fired his second outfield assist of the day to the plate for an inning-ending double play on a sacrifice fly attempt.

The Skyhawks sliced their deficit in the eighth as Danford shot an opposite-field two-run single to right field to score Fithian (reached on a fielder's choice) and Will Smith (single) and make the score 8-3 in the process.

Baskin was responsible for a scoreless top of the ninth but UT Martin's rally stalled in the bottom half of the inning.

Game 3 will serve as the rubber match of the series as first pitch is set for 1 p.m. on ESPN+. Senior Day festivities will take place at approximately 12:30 p.m. as 17 Skyhawks will lace up the cleats for the final home game of their UT Martin careers.