» By DANIEL NEWTON – [email protected]
The Bat Govs kept their Ohio Valley Conference record perfect this weekend, Friday, March 30, through Sunday, April 1, taking three games from UT Martin.
The team won all three games by four or more runs, totaling six home runs for the series and earning their first shutout since 2010.
Earlier in the week on Tuesday, March 27, they had no trouble defeating Alabama A&M as they went on to win, 19-4.
The Bat Govs opened the series against the Skyhawks with a 10-2 win on Friday, March 30.
Behind sophomore Rolando Gautier’s grand-slam in the fourth, the Bat Govs were able to jump out to a 4-2 lead before tacking on six more runs throughout the game, overcoming offensive and defensive struggles in the first few innings.
The Bat Govs’ pitching staff allowed only four hits on the day, as starter sophomore Ryan Quick pitched 7.1 innings and struck out a career-high nine batters, giving up only one hit after a rocky first inning that netted the Skyhawks both of their runs and three of their four hits.
Saturday’s game proved to be a classic pitching duel. Skyhawks starter Willie Frederick held the Bat Govs’ line-up hitless through four innings, retiring the first 10 batters in order.
The Bat Govs finally put some runs on the board in the fifth and sixth innings, and the pitchers took it from there.
Junior starter Casey Delgado threw seven shut-out innings, allowing only five hits while striking out a career high seven batters.
The Bat Govs completed the series sweep on Sunday, April 1, behind a strong offensive performance.
Trailing 8-6 heading into the bottom of the fifth, the Bat Govs scored five runs in the inning and never looked back.
The game saw all nine starters record a hit, as well as a strong pitching performance over the last five innings, allowing only two hits and holding the Skyhawks scoreless after the fourth inning.
The Bat Govs are currently on a seven-game winning streak and are 6-0 in conference play.
They look to continue their success when they host soon-to-be conference rival Belmont on Wednesday, April 3 at Raymond C. Hand Park.
They travel to Charleston, Illinois on Friday, April 5, through Sunday, April 7, to play Eastern Illinois in a three-game conference series. TAS
