MARTIN, Tenn. – SIUE and UT Martin combined to score seven runs on home runs Friday and the Skyhawks emerged with a 5-4 win in the opener of a three-game Ohio Valley Conference baseball series.

The Cougars fell to 8-29 overall and 5-17 in the OVC. UT Martin improved to 14-26 overall and 5-14 in OVC play.

"A couple of things here and there go a different way and it's a different outcome," SIUE Coach Danny Jackson said.

With the game tied 4-4 in the bottom of the ninth inning, UT Martin center field Fletcher Johnson led off the inning with a single. He stole second and advanced to third with a high throw to second got away. Left fielder Andrew Castillo singled into right field, giving the Skyhawks the win.

Ryan Agnitsch (0-2) suffered the loss in relief. He allowed just that run on three hits in two innings of work. He struck out four.

SIUE starter P.J. Schuster allowed four runs on eight hits in six innings. He struck out six and walked just one.

"P.J. pitched well," Jackson said. "He worked down in the zone and got a lot of swings and misses. His breaking ball was really good."

Kailer Smith and Dustin Woodcock each had two run home runs to account for the Cougars' four runs. Woodcock's homer came in the third inning and gave the Cougars a 2-1 lead at the time.

UT Martin lead 4-2 in the seventh inning when Kailer Smith connected on his first home run as a Cougar, a two-run shot, to tie the game 4-4.

"Kailer put a nice swing on that ball. It's nice to see him run one out of the park," Jackson said.

Catcher Daniel Kerwin hit a solo home run for UT Martin while Austin Taylor hit a two-run home run of his own.

Reliever Alex Evans (5-5) pitched two scoreless innings to earn the win for the Skyhawks. UT Martin starter Patrick Bernard tossed seven innings allowing four runs on four hits and struck out 10.

"(Bernard) controlled the strike zone and kept us off balance," Jackson said. "He had good command of the fastball and slider.

"We need to get the guys trusting their approach again," Jackson continued. "We've gotten away from that approach and it's hurt us."

The Cougars and Skyhawks will complete the series with a doubleheader Saturday. The first pitch of game one is scheduled for 11 a.m.