PULASKI, Tenn. – Tennessee Southern completed a sweep of Oakwood on Tuesday at Bobby Walker Field, combining explosive offense with a pitching-by-committee approach in both games of the twin bill.
In game one, the Firehawks rolled to a 23–1 victory behind a relentless attack at the plate.
After Oakwood scratched across a run in the top of the first, Tennessee Southern answered immediately. Anthony Pastrana worked a walk and Cooper Phillips followed with a free pass before Devin Thrain lifted a sacrifice fly to tie the game. A pair of wild pitches allowed Baron Cribbs to score, and Zach Chaney ripped a two-run double down the left-field line to cap a four-run opening frame.
The Firehawks added four more in the second. Pastrana walked and stole second, Phillips swiped a bag, and a series of wild pitches plated two runs. Hudson Schmitz drew an RBI walk to extend the lead to 8–1.
Tennessee Southern created further separation in the third. Pastrana singled and Phillips was hit by a pitch to ignite the rally. Zac Wilson lined a two-run single to center, and Thrain followed with a two-run home run to left, pushing the advantage to 12–1.
The Firehawks broke the game open in the fourth, sending 14 batters to the plate and scoring 10 runs. Phillips, Wilson, Chaney, Schmitz, Masato Mizumori, and Reagan Tomlin each drove in runs during the outburst as Tennessee Southern piled up eight hits in the inning.
Wilson led the way in the opener, going 3-for-4 with four RBIs. Phillips scored five times and added two hits and an RBI, while Thrain homered and drove in four. Chaney contributed two hits and three RBIs, Schmitz collected three hits and two RBIs, and Mizumori added two hits and two RBIs. Pastrana scored three times and stole two bases.
On the mound, the Firehawks pitched by committee. Braydon Kercado started and worked the opening inning, and Drew Sharp, Dylan Rinehart, Blake Medley, Jackson Moon, Collin Perkins, and Hunter Carrington each logged innings to secure the win.
In game two, Tennessee Southern outlasted Oakwood 20–11 in a back-and-forth contest.
Oakwood jumped ahead with five runs in the first, and added six more in the top of the third to stretch the margin to 11–1.
The Firehawks answered in the bottom of the third with a seven-run response. Baron Cribbs reached on an error and Carson Foote walked to set the table. Pastrana lifted a sacrifice fly to bring home a run, Thrain followed with an RBI single, and Evan Nelson doubled to left to score two more. Mizumori delivered the biggest swing of the inning, launching a three-run home run down the right-field line to pull Tennessee Southern within 11–8.
Momentum fully shifted in the fourth. Phillips singled home two runs, Chaney added an RBI single, and Pastrana drove in two more with a base hit as the Firehawks plated nine runs in the frame to surge ahead for good.
Tennessee Southern added three more in the sixth. Cribbs was hit by a pitch and Foote walked before Tomlin and Phillips delivered RBI hits to cap the scoring at 20–11.
Foote scored five runs and stole three bases in game two. Phillips went 2-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs scored, while Pastrana drove in two and scored three times. Wilson doubled and collected two hits, Nelson added a two-run double, and Mizumori homered and drove in three. Thrain chipped in an RBI and a run scored, and Chaney added an RBI.
The Firehawks again pitched by committee in the nightcap, using multiple arms to navigate the contest. Collin Perkins earned the win in relief, while Blake Medley, Nick McLaughlin, Levi Martin, Jay Brandon, and Hunter Hancock each contributed innings to close out the sweep.
Tennessee Southern now opens Southern States Athletic Conference play on Friday, February 27, traveling to Mobile for a weekend series.
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