JACKSON, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Southern baseball team began Southern States Athletic Conference Championship pool play at Rockabillys Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. The eighth seed Firehawks contested the top seed #10 Crusaders. William Carey earned the win in the seventh inning by a 15-5 score.  Historically, this was the first appearance for UTS in the SSAC Championship since the 2019 season. That year was Head Coach Mitch Hill's first season in Pulaski. Also, the last game in the 2019 tournament was an 8-5 loss to WCU on May 2.
After two scoreless innings, both offenses came alive scoring a combined eight runs in the third. For the Firehawks, Brayden Buckner singled through the right side scoring Devin Buckhalter and Evan Nelson. WCU added six runs in the bottom half to lead 6-2.
The Firehawks wouldn't score again until the seventh, trailing ut their regular season on 11-2. Nelson scored off a Crusader passed ball. Coleman Siniard singled up the middle driving in Cody Womble. Cole Barnett's single made it through the left side plating Buckner. UTS trailed 11-5 heading to the bottom half. WCU matched UTS' three runs in the seventh, but added one more to walk off the game.
Jake Stuteville (6-2) tossed 2.1 innings. He allowed six earned runs on four hits. Jackson Moon tossed two innings allowing three earned runs on three hits. Barrett Brown worked 1.2 innings giving up two earned runs on two hits. Zach Neill allowed three earned runs on one hit. Hunter Hancock surrendered one earned run on one hit.
SSAC CHAMPIONSHIP
The SSAC baseball championship will continue on Thursday, May 1, in Jackson, Tenn. UTS will battle Middle Georgia State. The game is scheduled for seven p.m., but could be a later start as it is the fourth game of the day.
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