PULASKI, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Southern baseball team left the confines of Bobby Walker Field a total of five times in a two-game split with Thomas on Saturday. The Firehawks routed the Nighthawks 13-2 in game one, but Thomas rebounded to win 7-5 in game two.

GAME ONE

Thomas scored one run in the first, but UT Southern would plate four runs via two long balls. Rhett Birdsong homered to center scoring Noah Junker. A couple batters later Blake Birdsong homered to right field scoring Josh Porter. UTS led 4-0 after one.

In the second, Thomas would plate another run via a sacrifice fly to close the gap to 4-2 after two innings.

In the fourth, Junker reached on a fielder's choice and Cannon Raby scored on Thomas throwing error. UTS led 6-2 after four innings.

In the fifth, Coleman Siniard singled up the middle scoring Kevin McCarthy. Zach Chaney singled to right center scoring Raby. Landon Rogers singled through the left side scoring Chaney. UTS opened the lead to 9-2 after five innings.

In the sixth, Siniard launched a three-run bomb scoring McCarthy and R. Birdsong. Rogers singled up the middle scoring Chaney.

Josh Simmons earned the win working 5.2 innings. Simmons allowed one earned run on four hits. Weston Horton tossed the final 1.1 innings striking out one and denying the Nighthawks a hit.

GAME TWO

Thomas scored a pair in the first to take the early 2-0 lead.

B. Birdsong hit a solo homerun in the bottom of the second to slash the TU lead in half at 2-1 after two.

In the third, Rogers singled to left scoring Cole Barnett. Josh porter reached on a Nighthawks fielding error that allowed Rogers to score. UTS took the lead 3-2 after three.

In the fourth, the lead would change hands twice. Thomas scored two runs in the top half of the inning. B. Birdsong would hit his third round-tripper of the day. Junker doubled to left center scoring Rogers. UTS led 5-4 after four.

TU would score a pair in the sixth to take the lead they would hold for the remainder of the game. The Nighthawks added one more run in the ninth to win 7-5.

Tray Lacy got the start and tossed four innings allowing four earned runs on eight hits. Ridge Raper took the loss allowing two earned runs on two hits. Cody Edwards tossed one inning allowing one hit. Gerry Wayne Davis hurled the final three frames allowing one earned run on two hits. Davis fanned five TU batters.

NEXT UP

The Firehawks will conclude the weekend series with Thomas tomorrow for the final nine inning affair. The First pitch is scheduled for noon.

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