PULASKI, Tenn. – Tennessee Southern erupted for 16 runs on Tuesday afternoon at Bobby Walker Field, defeating Bryan College 16–6 in a high-scoring midweek matchup.
Bryan struck first in the opening inning, but the Firehawks answered in the bottom half. Evan Nelson was hit by a pitch and later came around to score on a passed ball to even the game at 1–1.
The Lions added two runs in the second to take a 3–1 lead, but Tennessee Southern began to chip away. In the bottom of the second, Masato Mizumori singled and Nelson followed with an RBI single to cut the deficit to 3–2.
The Firehawks took control in the third inning with a five-run outburst. Zac Wilson singled to start the rally and Cooper Phillips followed with an RBI double to tie the game. After a balk gave Tennessee Southern the lead, Gage Beckner worked a walk and stole second before Reagan Tomlin and Mizumori each reached to load the bases. Nelson delivered the big swing, lining a two-run single that turned into a bases-clearing sequence on a defensive miscue, pushing the Firehawks in front 7–3.
Bryan responded with a three-run homer in the sixth to trim the lead to 7–6, but Tennessee Southern answered emphatically in the bottom half. Pastrana and Wilson drew walks before Phillips singled to load the bases. Carson Foote was hit by a pitch to force in a run, and Beckner followed with an RBI single. Tomlin then delivered the decisive blow with a three-run double to left-center, capping a five-run inning and extending the lead to 12–6.
The Firehawks added insurance in the eighth. Beckner was hit by a pitch and Tomlin followed with a walk before Mizumori drew another free pass to load the bases. Nelson came through again with a two-run double to right-center, and Pastrana followed with an RBI single as Tennessee Southern pushed the lead to 16–6.
Nelson led the Firehawks with a dominant performance at the plate, going 4-for-5 with five RBIs and two runs scored. Tomlin added a double and three RBIs while scoring three times, and Phillips finished with two hits, including a double, and drove in a run while scoring twice. Pastrana added a hit, an RBI, and reached base multiple times, while Beckner scored three runs, drove in a run, and stole two bases. Mizumori reached base five times and scored twice, and Foote drove in a run.
On the mound, Kyler Campbell earned the win in relief, striking out two in a scoreless inning. Royce Allen followed with 1.2 innings of shutout work, and Mac Etheredge added 1.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen to help secure the victory.
Tennessee Southern returns to action Friday, March 27, hosting Point University to open a Southern States Athletic Conference weekend series at Bobby Walker Field.
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