PULASKI, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Southern baseball team opened their final regular season series with Blue Mountain Christian on Thursday. Thursday's matchup originally was slated for a nine-inning single game, but was shifted to a double header in attempt to beat the forecast. Collin Perkins was responsible for all three Firehawks runs, but it wasn't enough as The Toppers held on to win 7-3 in the first game of the twin bill. After the final out was recorded, Game two was postponed due to immanent storms in the area.  UTS fell to 17-29 overall and 9-19 in league play on the season.
Blue Mountain Christian scored the first run of the game on a bases loaded walk in the first.
In the second, Perkins blasted a two run shot over the left field fence scoring Mason Billions. UTS led 2-1 after two innings.
The Toppers scored three in the top of the fourth, and Perkins added a solo shot in the bottom half for the Firehawks to trail 4-3 after four.
The Toppers added a pair of runs split between the sixth and seventh innings to steal the win.
Ridge Raper (4-9) got the start working 5.2 innings. He allowed five earned runs on 12 hits. Tavien Tigg tossed the final 1.1 innings allowing two earned runs on two hits. Raper struck out five, and Tigg fanned three.
NEXT UP
The Firehawks will return to the diamond on Friday, April 25^th, hosting Blue Mountain Christian. The first pitch is set for one p.m.
FOLLOW THE FIREHAWKS
Don't miss a minute of the latest action surrounding UTS Athletics by following the Firehawks on Twitter (@utsathletics), Instagram (@utsouthernathletics), and Facebook (@UT Southern Firehawks).