HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Tennessee Southern powered past Oakwood 16–8 on Tuesday at John Hunt Park, reaching the 20-win plateau in just 34 games under first-year head coach Braxton Morris.
The Firehawks struck first in the second inning when Cooper Phillips singled and later scored on an RBI knock from Gage Beckner to take a 1–0 lead.
Oakwood answered in the bottom half, with a fair ball that appeared to be foul helping the Ambassadors even the score at 1–1.
Tennessee Southern regained the lead in the third. Baron Cribbs singled and came around to score as Zac Wilson delivered an RBI single up the middle to make it 2–1.
The Firehawks created separation in the fourth inning. Beckner reached and stole second before Masato Mizumori drew a walk. After Cribbs worked a free pass, Evan Nelson brought home a run on a fielder's choice. Moments later, Anthony Pastrana delivered a two-run single through the left side to extend the lead to 5–2.
Oakwood responded in the bottom of the fourth, aided by a throw to third that deflected off the batter's helment that allowed the Ambassadors to stay within striking distance at 5–4.
Tennessee Southern broke the game open in the fifth with a seven-run outburst. Cribbs drove in a run after being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded before Nelson delivered a two-run single. Pastrana followed with a two-run double, and Wilson added another RBI knock as the Firehawks surged ahead 11–4.
The Firehawks continued to add on in the seventh. Devin Thrain singled and later scored on a double from Beckner. Carson Foote followed with an RBI double, and Mizumori scored on a balk to push the lead to 15–8.
Tennessee Southern added one more in the ninth as Foote singled and came around to score on a double from Cribbs to cap the 16–8 win.
Pastrana led the Firehawks with a standout performance, going 2-for-3 with a double and four RBIs. Beckner added three hits, two RBIs, and three runs scored, while Wilson finished with two hits and two RBIs. Cribbs reached base four times with two hits, two RBIs, and two runs scored, and Foote recorded two hits, including a double, drove in a run, and scored twice.
Nelson drove in three runs and scored twice, while Mizumori reached base three times and scored twice. Thrain added a hit and a run scored, and Phillips contributed a hit, a run, and a stolen base.
On the mound, Kyler Campbell earned the win in relief as part of a "Johnny Wholestaff" outing for the Firehawks, with the pitching staff combining for 15 strikeouts on the day.
Tennessee Southern returns to action Thursday, April 2, traveling to No. 15 William Carey for a Southern States Athletic Conference weekend series.
FOLLOW THE FIREHAWKS
Stay up to date with all the latest action from UTS Athletics! Follow the Firehawks on social media:
Twitter: @utsathletics
Instagram: @utsouthernathletics
Facebook: @UT Southern Firehawks
Don't miss a moment — Go Firehawks!
