PULASKI, Tenn. – Tennessee Southern opened its weekend series with the University of Saint Francis on Saturday, falling in both games of the twin bill despite late pushes in each contest at Bobby Walker Field.
In game one, the Firehawks dropped a 9–4 decision but mounted a rally in their final at-bat.
After Saint Francis scored twice in the second and added two more in the third, Tennessee Southern looked to answer in the bottom of the third. Devin Thrain singled down the left-field line and Anthony Pastrana drew a walk to put two aboard, but the rally was cut short.
The Firehawks continued to chip away at opportunities, as Carson Foote worked a walk in the fifth and Thrain added another base hit, but Tennessee Southern could not break through until the seventh inning.
Trailing 9–0 entering the bottom of the seventh, Evan Nelson started the rally with a walk. Gage Beckner followed with a walk, and Hudson Schmitz drew another free pass to load the bases. Foote then worked a bases-loaded walk to bring home the first run. Thrain delivered the big swing of the inning, doubling to right-center to score two more. Pastrana capped the rally with a sacrifice fly to right, trimming the deficit to 9–4 before the game came to a close.
Thrain led the Firehawks in the opener, going 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Foote finished 1-for-1 with two walks and an RBI, while Pastrana added an RBI. Zac Wilson doubled earlier in the contest for Tennessee Southern's first extra-base hit of the day.
In game two, Tennessee Southern struck first but fell 6–2 after a decisive seventh inning from Saint Francis.
Pastrana ignited the Firehawks in the bottom of the first, drawing a walk, stealing second, and advancing to third on a wild pitch. Wilson followed with an RBI single to right to give Tennessee Southern a 1–0 lead.
The Firehawks regained the advantage in the fourth. Thrain singled to shortstop and moved into scoring position when Reagan Tomlin was hit by a pitch. After Foote laid down a sacrifice bunt to move both runners, Beckner lifted a sacrifice fly to right, bringing Thrain home for a 2–1 edge.
On the mound, Jay Davis turned in a strong outing in game two, working 6.1 innings while allowing five hits and just one earned run. Davis kept Saint Francis off balance throughout the middle innings and carried a lead into the seventh before exiting.
Tennessee Southern continued to apply pressure late. Baron Cribbs singled in the third and Zach Chaney added a pinch-hit single in the seventh. Nelson followed with a pinch-hit single to put two aboard in the final frame, but the Firehawks were unable to extend the rally.
Pastrana reached base twice, scored a run, and swiped a base in game two. Wilson collected two hits and drove in a run, while Thrain added a hit, a stolen base, and a run scored. Foote chipped in a hit and a sacrifice bunt, and Beckner recorded an RBI.
The series concludes tomorrow at Bobby Walker Field, with first pitch scheduled for noon.
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