PULASKI, Tenn. – Tennessee Southern opened its Southern States Athletic Conference weekend series with Brewton-Parker Christian by sweeping a Friday doubleheader at Bobby Walker Field, taking both games from the Barons behind dominant offensive performances.
In game one, the Firehawks used two explosive innings to pull away for an 11–7 victory.
After a scoreless start, Zac Wilson delivered an RBI double in the third to plate Anthony Pastrana and give Tennessee Southern a 1–0 lead. The Firehawks broke the game open in the fourth with a five-run inning. Evan Nelson singled in a run, Pastrana followed with an RBI double, and Wilson added a two-run single. Cooper Phillips capped the rally with an RBI double to extend the lead to 6–0.
Tennessee Southern kept the pressure on in the fifth. Baron Cribbs drove in a run on a fielder's choice before Phillips delivered the biggest swing of the day, launching a three-run home run to push the lead to 11–0.
Phillips led the Firehawks with a standout performance, going 2-for-4 with a home run and five RBIs. Wilson added two hits and three RBIs, while Pastrana recorded two hits, scored three times, and drove in a run. Nelson finished with two hits and an RBI, and Cribbs added an RBI and scored twice. Reagan Tomlin chipped in with a hit and scored twice, and Jake Tegler added a hit.
On the mound, Drew Sharp earned the win with six innings of work, allowing six runs while striking out four. Collin Perkins recorded the save to close out the win.
In game two, the Firehawks again used a big inning to secure an 11–4 victory and clinch the series.
Tennessee Southern struck first in the second inning as Gage Beckner singled in Cooper Phillips to give the Firehawks a 1–0 lead.
The Firehawks broke things open in the third with a five-run frame. Hudson Schmitz delivered a two-RBI single, and Beckner followed with an RBI knock as Tennessee Southern built a 6–1 advantage.
Tennessee Southern added two more in the fourth. Pastrana doubled and later scored, while Wilson drove in a run to extend the lead to 8–1.
The Firehawks continued to add on late, highlighted by RBI hits from Jake Tegler and Zach Chaney, pushing the lead to 11–4.
Beckner paced the offense with three hits and three RBIs, while Schmitz added three hits and two RBIs. Phillips recorded three hits and scored twice, and Pastrana scored three runs and reached base multiple times. Wilson added a hit and two RBIs, and Tegler drove in a run.
On the mound, Jake Stuteville earned the win, working seven innings and allowing four runs while striking out six. Mac Etheredge closed the final two innings to secure the victory.
With the pair of wins, Tennessee Southern secured the series over the Barons.
The Firehawks will look to complete the sweep Saturday, April 18, in the series finale at Bobby Walker Field. First pitch is scheduled for 12 noon, with Senior Day festivities set to take place 30 minutes prior to first pitch.
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