By Brandon Burke, UT Martin Sports Information
MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin baseball team – hosting their first bout since opening weekend in February and a seven-game layout across the state of Alabama – couldn’t get by the Illinois State Redbirds in the programs’ first encounter since 1994 on Tuesday night, dropping a 6-1 decision after striking first in the opening inning.
A two-hit, one-RBI performance from senior first-baseman Ethan Whitley at the cleanup spot allowed the Skyhawks to record the game’s opening score in the bottom of the 1st, slapping a double to left center that brought home Will Smith, who walked previously that same inning. In fact, UTM managed five walks as a team next to their five hits.
Smith, catcher Chance Merithew, and shortstop Alec Beaman made up the rest of UT Martin’s bat connections on Tuesday, where the latter added the second double of the outing in the bottom of the 2nd stanza.
The defense for head coach Ryan Jenkins’ club prevented the Redbirds from scoring often near the beginning and end of the contest, forcing Illinois State to strand nine runners from six different UTM pitchers.
Redshirt-sophomore Warren Lee was granted the starting job in the OVC vs. MVC duel, tossing four full innings before seeing relief from Matt Dickey, Baylor Jones, Trey Ricko, Noah Walters, and J. Henry Hobson.
The busy non-conference schedule continues for UT Martin, now prepping for a weekend trip to Central Arkansas for three games in Conway. Game 1 against the Bears on Friday is slated for 6:00 p.m.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information