ALBERTVILLE, Ala. – Tennessee Southern split its Saturday doubleheader with Talladega College at Sand Mountain Park, dropping game two before bouncing back with a dominant offensive showing in game three.
In the first game of the day, Talladega struck early and continued to apply pressure throughout, while Tennessee Southern struggled to find rhythm at the plate. The Firehawks' lone hit came from Devin Thrain, who singled in the third inning. Evan Nelson also reached base twice via walks as Tennessee Southern worked to generate traffic but was unable to capitalize.
On the mound, Jay Davis opened the game and battled through the first two-plus innings before turning it over to Collin Perkins, who provided 2.2 innings of relief. Tavien Tigg worked a clean frame before Blake Medley and Jackson Moon closed out the contest.
The Firehawks responded emphatically in game three, erupting for 19 runs on 15 hits to secure the series win.
Tennessee Southern wasted no time jumping in front, scoring six runs in the bottom of the first. Devin Thrain sparked the rally with a leadoff single and later scored the opening run. Cooper Phillips delivered an RBI single before Zac Wilson drove in two more with a single to left. The inning was capped by a sacrifice fly from Carson Foote and an RBI groundout from Jake Tegeler.
The offense continued rolling in the second inning, as Thrain doubled and later scored again. Phillips added a two-run double, while Evan Nelson knocked in two more with a single as the Firehawks pushed the lead to double digits.
After Talladega made several attempts to climb back into the game, Tennessee Southern answered once more in the sixth. Reagan Tomlin worked a walk before Nelson singled, setting the table for Phillips, who ripped a two-run single. Zach Chaney followed with an RBI knock, and Masato Mizumori capped the inning with a two-run single to right to seal the outcome.
Phillips led the Firehawks offensively, finishing with three hits and five RBIs, while Thrain went 3-for-4 with four runs scored and two RBIs. Mizumori added three hits and two RBIs, and Nelson drove in two runs of his own. Wilson chipped in two hits and two RBIs, and Anthony Pastrana added an RBI in the win.
On the mound, Cooper Bailey started game two before Barrett Brown earned the win in relief. Drew Sharp and Will Vines combined to finish the game, with Vines striking out the side in the seventh.
Tennessee Southern returns to action Tuesday, February 10, hosting Cumberland for its home opener.
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