TALLAHASSEE, Fla.- Despite taking an early 2-0 lead, the University of Tennessee at Martin baseball team fell 4-2 to Florida A&M in the season opener at Moore-Kittles Field.
Jalen Fithian and Jordan Hudson (sacrifice bunt, one stolen base) had multi-hit games while TJ Grines (one run scored, two stolen bases), Cameron Greene (one hit), Jonah Katsaboulas (one hit), JT Popick (one hit) and Blaze Bell (one hit) contributed to the Skyhawk offensive attack.
UT Martin received five strong innings from Brandon King (0-1), who surrendered just two hits in his Skyhawk debut. Zach Wager would pitch the final three innings in relief.
Grines was able to score a UT Martin run after stealing second and third base following a dropped third strike to make the score 2-0 in favor of the Skyhawks. Ben Kim then hit a solo home run for the Rattlers to make it 2-1 through five innings.
Florida A&M (1-0) would strike again to take a 3-2 lead during the bottom of the sixth. The Skyhawks loaded up the bases in the top of the eighth but two lineouts to second base helped the Rattlers deter the UT Martin threat.
Florida A&M followed that up with a solo home run in the eighth from Broedy Poppell, giving the Rattlers a two-run lead heading into the ninth inning.
The Skyhawks drew a walk from Arderrius Townsend and got a base hit from Katsaboulas to bring the go-ahead run to the plate. However, Popick’s hot shot to third base would be corralled for the final out of the game.
UT Martin will reset and get ready for a doubleheader tomorrow starting at noon.