Dylan Scott was 2-for-3 in the game with a triple, 2 RBIs and two runs scored. Alli Robinson also had two hits in the season opener, to go along with a run and an RBI. The Skyhawks were a perfect 4-for-4 on the base paths against the Bulldogs with Brown, Scott, Kyla Harley and Josie Sanders all swiping a base.
In the circle, UT Martin put up a combined shutout through the work of Ashtyn Green and Natalie Kreuziger. Green picked up the win by allowing no runs on five hits with seven strikeouts over 4.0 inning of work, while Kreuziger allowed just one hit with five strikeouts over the final two frames.
In game two, the Paladins struck first when Ansley Chiang scored on a wild pitch to make 1-0 in the bottom of the third inning. After being held scoreless for five innings, the Skyhawks evened things up in the top of the sixth on single from Robinson that scored Harley.
UT Martin had a chance to put the game away in the top of the seventh when Scott drove a one-out triple to right centerfield. However, after a walk and a steal from Brown, both runners ended up stranded as Furman retired the final batter of the inning. The same fate awaited Hustey in the top of the eight after she was left on base after a single with one out.
In the bottom of the eighth, Kreuziger struck of the first batter of the inning, but a walk and a single in consecutive at bats gave the Paladins multiple base runners with just one out. With two runners on, Kate Stoltzfus won the game for Furman with a walk-off double, leaving the Skyhawks on the wrong side of a 2-1 decision.
Harley, Hustey, Robinson and Dylan Scott had the lone hits for UT Martin in the game, with Scott tallying a triple in back-to-back games. The Skyhawks once again stole four bases in the contest, this time with Kennedy Brown, Kyrsten Brown, Harley and Ava Scott doing the honors.
Day two of the Paladin Invitational on Saturday will see the Skyhawks take on Evansville at 11 a.m., followed by Stonehill at 4 p.m.