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Skyhawks’ late rally falls one run short

Skyhawks’ late rally falls one run short

Posted: Friday, April 19, 2013 12:00 pm

CARBONDALE, Ill. — UT Martin battled throughout but couldn’t pull through in a 7-6 loss to Southern Illinois in baseball action at Abe Martin Field.
UT Martin (10-26) struck first, tallying three runs in the top of the first. Southern Illinois then scored seven runs over the first five innings, but the Skyhawks scratched out three more runs in the top of the seventh to get within a single run. However, UT Martin could not push across another run in the eighth or ninth innings.
Offensively, the Sky-hawks were led by Byron Johann’s two RBI’s and one run scored. Grant Glasser, Sonny Mastromatteo and Luis Paublini all scored once and tallied an RBI, while Matt Haynes (RBI) and Drew Erie (run scored) also heavily contributed to the UT Martin offensive attack.
On the mound, reliever John Skubina (1-1) tied a career-high with four innings pitched but was charged with the loss after allowing four earned runs. Junior righthander John Houston pitched well in relief, scattering three hits and fanning three over four scoreless innings.
The first two batters of the game — Glasser and Mastromatteo — each drew walks to lead off the game. Johann then lined a double to center field to score a pair and Haynes added to UT Martin’s run total with an RBI single to center to give the Skyhawks a 3-0 advantage.
However, the Salukis would get two runs back in the bottom of the first and add three runs in the second to go on top by a 5-3 margin.
After Skubina was responsible for a scoreless third inning, SIU came up with an unearned run in the fourth and another run in the fifth before Houston entered the game and halted a potential Saluki rally.
UT Martin got back on the scoreboard in the top of the seventh. Zych led off with a single and stole second. Erie followed with a single and Paublini singled through the left side, plating Zych. Pinch-hitter Taylor Cox punched a single through the left side to load the bases for Glasser, who delivered the fifth straight single in the inning for UT Martin, scoring Erie.
After a pitching change, Mastromatteo lifted a sacrifice fly out to center.
UT Martin returns home this weekend to take on OVC foe Morehead State Friday through Sunday.

Published in The WCP 4.18.13