April 9, 2011

MARTIN, Tenn. - SIUE baseball split a double-header at UT Martin Saturday afternoon, prevailing in the first game 13-2 before dropping a seven-inning contest 7-6.

"We really should have wrapped up the series today," SIUE Head Coach Gary Collins said. "We let it get away."

The Cougars are now 11-18 for the season. UT Martin is now 8-22 overall.

SIUE had the offense working in the opener, scoring 13 times on 18 hits. The Cougars trailed 2-0 before scoring all 13 runs over their final three at-bats, including seven in the ninth inning.

"We broke it open late in that one," Collins said.

Chase Green doubled to start the inning and James Vazquez followed with a single. Travis Becherer then singled to drive home Green. Mitch Matecki followed with a three-run home run, his first of the season to make it 4-2 SIUE.

It was Becherer and Matecki that provided the RBIs in the eighth inning as well. Becherer drove home Thad Hawkins with a bunt single to third base. Thad Hawkins had reached on an error to start the inning. Becherer stole second base and then scored on a Matecki double to left field making it 6-2 Cougars.

"Mitch had a couple of big hits to put us up," Collins said.

In the ninth inning the Cougars loaded the bases with one out on a double by Joel Greatting, a walk to Brett Keeler and a single by Thad Hawkins. Chase Green singled to drive home a run. Vazquez, Becherer and Matecki each picked up RBIs on consecutive bases loaded walks. Devin Caldwell then single to plate two before Mike Swinnen, who pinch ran for Greatting earlier in the inning, added an RBI single to cap the seven-run inning.

Matecki and Becherer were each 2 for 4 for the Cougars in game one. Matecki drove home five, while Becherer added three RBIs. Chase Green was 3 for 4 with an RBI. Caldwell was 1 for 6 with a pair of RBIs. Greatting and Zach Hawkins were each 3 for 5.

Josh Malin, 2-2, allowing the two runs over eight innings, his longest outing this year. Malin struck out four. Brian Lorenz added a perfect ninth to finish out the first game.

UT Martin came from behind to score the win in the late game. SIUE led 6-4 before the Skyhawks scored three times on three hits in the bottom of the sixth inning. UT Martin third baseman Trey Karlen tied the game with a two-run homer. Cody Terry reached on an error with one out, then scored the eventual game-winner on a two-out hit by Matt Haynes.

Thad Hawkins, 1-2, allowed two runs in the inning and suffered the loss.

"I'm not real happy at all with the way we played that second game today," Collins said.

SIUE scored a run each in the first and second innings to take a 2-0 lead. James Vazquez led off the game with a triple then scored one batter later when Travis Becherer grounded out. Joel Greatting singled in the second inning and scored on a groundout by Brian Sipe.

UT Martin catcher Chase Okey touched Cougar starter Spencer Patton for a three-run home run in the bottom of the second to put the Shyhawks up 3-2.

"Spencer wasn't very good today," Collins said. "He couldn't find the zone."

Devin Caldwell connected on a pair of two-run home runs for SIUE. Caldwell put the Cougars on top 4-3 with the homer in the third. His homer in the fifth inning put the Cougars in front 6-4. Caldwell finished 3 for 3 with the four RBIs.

The Cougars and Skyhawks will complete the three-game series with a 1 p.m. game Sunday.