Featured Photo: UT Martin pitcher Jacob Sitton (19) deals against SEMO on March 22, 2025, at home. (Photo Credit / UTM Athletics)
UT Martin Skyhawks defeated the Butler University Bulldogs in a three game series and started the college baseball season 2-1.
In game one of Friday’s doubleheader, UT Martin jumped ahead of Butler 1-0 in the first inning. Butler’s third baseman Alex Christie answered with a leadoff home run at the top of the second inning.
Butler added two more runs in the inning, giving them a 3-1 lead. UT Martin responded with three runs of their own in the bottom of the 2nd to regain the lead. Butler responded once again with two runs in the top of the third, which gave them a 5-4 lead.
After 3.1 innings pitched by senior Pitcher Jacob Sitton, the Skyhawks made a changed on mound. Junior left-handed pitcher Will Turner entered the game and was able to settle down his club. Turner pitched five scoreless frames, which allowed UT Martin to take the lead once again. UT Martin entered the ninth inning with a 7-5 lead and needed only three outs to secure the win.
With two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, Butler junior right fielder Gavin Gilmore launched a two-run opposite field homer over the right field wall to tie the game. After a scoreless bottom of the ninth, the game went to extra innings, tied 7-7. Butler rode the momentum to the 10th inning, scoring three runs and winning the game 10-7.
Players of the game for the Skyhawks included senior UTL TJ Grines. Grines went 3/5 at the plate with two doubles and one run batted in (RBI). Grines was listed a player to watch this season by the Ohio Valley Conference.
In game two of the doubleheader, Butler started the game off hot. Junior First Baseman Matthew Rhoades put Butler on the board with a solo homer to right-center field. UT Martin pitcher Maxwell Schumacher settled in on the mound and finished his outing with six innings pitched, six strikeouts and only one run surrendered.
UT Martin entered the eighth inning with a 8-2 lead. Butler attempted a comeback, scoring six runs in the top of the eighth inning. Unlike game one, UT Martin was able to shut the door in ninth inning. UT Martin won 9-8 and tied the series at one game a piece.
UT Martin UTL Grines had another excellent game at the plate, hitting 3/4 with two RBIs.
Game three of the series was another high scoring affair. UT Martin junior pitcher Carson Sharp opened the game pitching three scoreless innings. UT Martin entered the seventh inning with a 5-3 lead.
After the exit of Sharp, Butler scored five runs in the seventh, giving them the lead. UT Martin responded with two runs in the bottom of the seventh and six runs in the eighth inning.
After trading blows late in game three, UT Martin held off another late game comeback effort from Butler, resulting in a 13-11 win for UT Martin.
Junior outfielder TJ Dunsford had UT Martin’s first home run of the season in this game. Dunsford sent one over the left-center field wall for a two-run homer in the third inning Saturday.
UT Martin seeks improvements defensively from their ball club. The team had a combined nine errors in the three game series.
UT Martin announced that game four of the series, scheduled for Sunday, was cancelled due to poor field conditions. The team turns their attention to the Nicholls State Colonels as UT Martin travels to Thibodaux, La. Feb. 20-22 for a four-game series.
