BASEBALL TEAM BATTLES BUT FALLS 9-0 AT SUN BELT POWERHOUSE ARKANSAS STATE
JONESBORO, Ark. – Senior third baseman Matt Haynes collected a pair of hits tonight and The University of Tennessee at Martin pitching staff combined for double-digit strikeout totals once again, but it wasn’t enough as the Skyhawks fell 9-0 at Arkansas State.
Haynes’ two-hit performance was the 14th multi-hit outing of his career for the Jackson, Tenn. native. Sophomore Sonny Mastromatteo also had a hit tonight for UT Martin (5-7).
On the hill, the Skyhawks fanned 10-plus batters for the sixth time in 12 games this season. Starting pitcher John Houston fell to 0-3 on the season but only allowed one earned run over two innings while fanning three Red Wolves. Trevor Lundgrin (0.2 innings) and Carter Smith (two innings) produced shutout appearances out of the bullpen, while fellow relievers John Skubina and Jacob Gansert allowed only one earned run apiece over the final three innings.
Houston needed only eight pitches to retire Arkansas State in the first inning, but the Red Wolves scored two runs in the second to go ahead early. Arkansas State added five runs in its next at-bat to take a 7-0 lead after three innings of play.
Smith produced clean fourth and fifth innings for UT Martin, followed by Skubina striking out the side in the sixth.
Arkansas State added one more run in the seventh and eighth innings to provide the final 9-0 scoring margin.
The Skyhawks return home for their next four contests, beginning with a three-game Ohio Valley Conference opening series against Jacksonville State on March 8-10.