TIFTON, Ga. – Tennessee Southern opened its Southern States Athletic Conference road series at No. 22 Abraham Baldwin on Thursday, dropping both ends of the doubleheader in a competitive showing at Stallion Field.
In game one, the Firehawks fell 4–2 despite holding an early lead.
Tennessee Southern broke through in the third inning. Baron Cribbs singled and moved into scoring position before Evan Nelson delivered an RBI single to give the Firehawks a 1–0 advantage.
The Firehawks added to the lead in the fifth. Jake Tegler singled and later scored as Nelson came through again with an RBI knock, extending the advantage to 2–1.
Abraham Baldwin responded in the sixth with a three-run inning to swing momentum and take a 4–2 lead.
Nelson led the Firehawks with two hits and two RBIs, while Anthony Pastrana added a hit and an RBI. Zac Wilson and Gage Beckner each recorded a hit, and Tegler added a hit and scored a run. Cribbs also contributed with a hit, and Beckner added a stolen base.
On the mound, Drew Sharp worked four innings in relief, allowing three runs while striking out three. Collin Perkins added a scoreless inning out of the bullpen.
In game two, Tennessee Southern again showed flashes offensively but fell 8–4.
The Firehawks struck first in the third. Reagan Tomlin singled and came around to score as Nelson delivered another RBI single to put Tennessee Southern ahead 1–0.
After Abraham Baldwin took the lead, the Firehawks answered in the sixth. Nelson reached and advanced into scoring position before Pastrana delivered an RBI single to tie the game. Pastrana later came around to score on a defensive miscue to give Tennessee Southern a 3–2 edge.
The Firehawks added another in the eighth. Hudson Schmitz came off the bench with a single and eventually scored as Gage Beckner delivered an RBI base hit to bring Tennessee Southern within 5–4.
Abraham Baldwin used a three-run eighth inning to pull away late and secure the sweep.
Nelson continued his strong day at the plate, reaching base multiple times with a hit, RBI, and run scored. Pastrana added a hit and an RBI, while Beckner recorded a hit, an RBI, and a stolen base. Schmitz provided a key pinch-hit knock and scored, and Baron Cribbs led the team with two hits.
Reagan Tomlin added a hit and a run scored, while Jake Tegler contributed a hit. Zac Wilson reached base, and Devin Thrain worked a walk.
On the mound, Jake Stuteville took the loss, working into the sixth inning while allowing four runs and striking out four. The Firehawks turned to a bullpen-by-committee approach the rest of the way.
Tennessee Southern will look to close out the regular season on Friday, concluding the series with No. 22 Abraham Baldwin.
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