Staff Directory

Blaze Bell

Title:
Graduate Assistant
Phone:
731-881-3691

Blaze Bell moves to a member of the coaching staff after a stellar four-year career as a Skyhawk infielder. 2026 marks his first season on staff at UT Martin.

In 2026, UT Martin snapped multiple school records in a historic season. The Skyhawks finished with the most wins in a single season in their NCAA Division I history (26) while also setting the UT Martin DI era record for most home wins (18). Additionally, new school records were posted in runs scored (429), hits (609), doubles (136), RBI’s (387), stolen bases (145), runs per game in DI era (7.8) and most stolen bases in a game in school history (eight, May 3 at Western Illinois). The Skyhawks ranked fifth in the country in batting average, ninth in doubles, 15^th in hits, 11^th in stolen bases while leading the OVC in RBI’s (387). UT Martin posted 13 games with double-digit runs scored. Two Skyhawks collected postseason accolades with TJ Grines (OVC Player of the Year, All-OVC first team) and TJ Dunsford (All-OVC second team) earning recognition for tremendous seasons. Grines became UT Martin’s first ever conference player of the year in school history with a historic campaign. The Alexandria, La. native was just the third player since 2002 to join the 50 RBI/50 stolen base club and led the country in stolen bases with 66 (most in NCAA DI baseball since 2007). He became the first Skyhawk to have 20+ doubles and 10+ home runs since 2011 MLB draft pick Trey Karlen accomplished that feat in 2010. Dunsford was named the ninth outfielder in UT Martin history to the All-OVC second team. He notched 62 RBI’s which was just two shy of tying the program’s single season record. The Grand Bay, Ala. native owned a .985 OPS, 11 home runs (team high), 22 multi-hit games (second on the team) and 17 multi-RBI contests (tied for the team lead).

The Murfreesboro, Tenn native was a member of the baseball team from 2022-2025 and was named to the All-Freshman team in 2022 while being named All-Ohio Valley Conference in 2023. He finished his career with 173 games played making 167 starts and a slash line of .296/.369/.410. He tallied 187 hits, 105 runs scored, 46 doubles, four triples, 10 home runs, 109 RBIs and 66 walks.

During his all-freshman campaign, he made 18 starts in 20 games played with 16 RBIs, six doubles and slugged .403. In 2023 he helped the Skyhawks to one of their best seasons in NCAA Division I program history by being named to the all-conference second team. He posted career numbers in that year with a .328 average, 64hits, 18 doubles, 22 RBIs, .467 slugging percentage and .404 on-base percentage. UT Martin finished with 22 wins (fourth-highest tally in the school's NCAA DI Era), including a program-best 14 wins in OVC play.

He prepped at Blackman High School under head coach Barry Vetter, helping the Blaze win the District 7-AAA championship on his way to all-district accolades.