Cougars Edge Skyhawks in Opener

Dustin Woodcock was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning, forcing in the deciding run for SIUE in a 4-3 win over UT Martin in the opener of a three-game series at Simmons Baseball Complex.

The win snapped a five-game losing streak for the Cougars, who improved to 13-9 in theOhio Valley Conference and 13-21 overall. UT Martin fell to 12-27 and 5-14 in the OVC.

With the game tied 3-3, Chase Green opened the ninth with a single through the middle against reliever Carter Smith. Smith then walked Keaton Wright before retiring the next two hitters. Skyler Geissinger walked to load the bases with two outs. Woodcock was hit with a 3-2 pitch. Green came home with the game-winning run.

The ninth-inning rally by the Cougars capped an entertaining night that began with outstanding starting pitching from both sides.

"It was a fun game to be a part of," SIUE Head Coach Tony Stoecklin said. "That's what a Friday night should be in the OVC."

SIUE starter P.J. Schuster allowed two runs over seven innings. He allowed only four hits and struck out a career-best nine hitters.

"He had all three pitches working, although he primarily threw his fastball and slider," Stoecklin said of Schuster. "That's probably the best his slider has ever looked and that's what the majority of the strikeouts came on."

Schuster retired the first seven batters he faced, including five strikeouts.

"He went out there ready to pitch from the first pitch of the ballgame," Stoecklin continued. "That was the key. You could tell early on that he had his stuff and he was going to be hard to score on."

UT Martin starter Matt Poteete was nearly as tough. Poteete worked 6 1/3 innings allowing two runs on seven hits he walked three and struck out four.

"He pitched fantastic," Stoecklin said of the Skyhawks' starter. "He attacked hitters and he kept us off-balance and he threw a lot of strikes. We didn't take good swings off him."

UT Martin got on the scoreboard first, scoring single runs in the third and fifth innings to lead 2-0.

The Cougars loaded the bases in the seventh inning on back-to-back one-out hits by Denton Reed and Nick Lombardo. Lombardo was the last batter Poteete faced. UT Martin reliever Patrick Bernard walked Green to load the bases. Wright reached first on catcher's interference, allowing Reed to score to cut the Skyhawks' lead to 2-1. Alec Saikal followed with a two-run single through the left side of the infield to give the Cougars their first lead.

"We showed a lot of resolve, a lot of will, and toughness," Stoecklin said. "This was a big win. We've been scuffling a little bit. Hopefully this we'll build our confidence back up and we'll start rolling again.

The Skyhawk had an answer in the top of the eighth against SIUE reliever Brett Thomas. Johnson walked Fletcher Johnson to open the inning. Johnson then stole second base. Nick Pribble followed with a base hit, scoring Johnson to tie the game 3-3. Andrew Castillon then doubled. The Cougars elected to intentionally pass the Skyhawks No. 3 hitter, Taylor Douglas to load the bases with nobody out. Thomas then proceeded to strikeout out the side in order to preserve the tie game.

"The jam that (Thomas) pitched out of was amazing," Stoecklin said. "To lock in and get three straight strikeouts is downright impressive. When he needed to make pitches he buckled down and he made them."

Thomas earned the win to improve to 3-2. He struck out four hitters in two innings of relief.

"I refer to 'wanting to be that guy,' Brett was that guy tonight, Stoecklin said. "That's what it looks like, that's what it feels like."

Reed paced the Cougars offensively. SIUE had nine hits as a team. Reed was 3 for 4. Matt Hirsch 3 for 4 for UTM, which finished with just eight hits.

The Cougars and Skyhawks are scheduled to play game two of the series Saturday. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.