EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The hot-hitting Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks pounded out a trio of home runs on Tuesday, and closer Wes Patterson was able to work out of a ninth-inning jam with a strikeout with the potential winning run on second base, as UT Martin held off the University of Evansville baseball team, 13-12, at Charles H. Braun Stadium in Evansville.

 

Tennessee-Martin, which came in hitting .343 as a team over its last five games, pounded out 13 runs on 13 base hits against three Evansville hurlers on Tuesday, including launching three home runs on a warm spring day in Evansville. Outfielder Mark Hartsfield ignited a three-run third inning rally which gave the Skyhawks a lead they would never lose with a solo home run to left-center field for his second home run of the year.

 

Infielder Nate Walters would then provide the biggest hit of the afternoon, launching a grand slam to deep center field in the fifth inning to break open a two-run contest and give UT Martin a 10-4 lead.

 

The Skyhawks would extend the lead to 13-4 in the sixth inning on a two-run home run off of the scoreboard in left-center field by Patterson, before the Purple Aces would mount a rally.

 

Evansville would score five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to trim the deficit to 13-9. UE would add another run in the eighth inning on an RBI single up the middle by junior shortstop Peter Tountas to cut the lead to 13-10, before UE would make one last rally attempt in the ninth.

 

Freshman designated hitter Shawn Kuester opened the ninth inning with a bunt base hit down the third base line. Back-to-back walks by Patterson to sophomores Andy Pascoe and Tom Freeman would load the bases, before junior third baseman Andy Smith cut the deficit to 13-11 with an RBI fielder’s choice. 

 

UE freshman second baseman Brian Robinson would then deliver an RBI single through the hole on the right side of the infield to cut the lead to 13-12, but that would be as close as UE would come, as Patterson would induce another fielder’s choice ground out and a strikeout to end the game to record his second save of the year.

 

Walters led five UT Martin players with two-hit afternoons by going 2-for-4 with five RBI. Freshman outfielder Greg Wallace paced the Evansville attack with a 4-for-6 effort, two doubles, and three runs scored. Kuester also added two hits and three runs for UE, while Smith drove in three men.

 

UT Martin improves to 6-30 overall with the victory. Evansville (9-30 overall) will return to the diamond next on Wednesday night at 6:00 p.m., as the Purple Aces will welcome long-time regional rival Austin Peay State to town for a non-conference contest. Wednesday’s game can be heard live on 91.5 F.M.-WUEV.