Skip to main content

UTM is ready for baseball and softball season


Softball Softball season starts this weekend as the Skyhawks travel to the Easton Classic at the University of Mississippi for five games.

The team is looking to improve upon their 21-26 record from last season with the addition of seven freshmen: catcher Jaclyn Brown, outfield/first base Lindsay Cordell, second and third base Fallon Lowery, outfield/first base/pitcher Megan Mizell, outfield/pitcher Ashley Ruggles, outfield/second base Meagan Sturdivant, and outfield/pitcher Holly Templeton.

They also added junior college transfer, second base/shortstop Nira Robbins, who is expected to be out for at least four to six weeks because of surgery.

"The six seniors that graduated took away a lot of experience, but we have more talent this year than ever," said UTM Head Coach Donley Canary. "We have several new ladies this season, but they just need to get some games under their belt." Returning to the team this year are seven upperclassmen: three seniors, outfielder Angela Baize, second base/outfield/catcher Beth Buttrey, catcher Sarah Daws, and four juniors, pitcher Allison Buckley, first base/pitcher Nicole Davis, third base/catcher Kristin Hogan, and outfield/shortstop Kristin Runyan.

"We are all looking forward to the season," said Hogan. "We have great leadership and talent this year that should take us very far. The whole team is striving for that OVC championship."

With so many returning players, the team should be that much more ready to take on the other teams in the conference.

"The girls need to make the most improvements in defense this season. We've got to make more plays on the field than we did last year if we expect to see a better record," said Canary. The Skyhawks will be facing Indiana State, Tulsa University, Southern Illinois, and Illinois-Chicago this weekend in Oxford, Mississippi.

"We're facing two top 35 teams this weekend. We really need the returning players to step up and be leaders for the new girls," Canary said. "We should do just fine, but we need to play. After this we've got a tough schedule, including Alabama, who's in the top five in the nation. We've got to get ready for the OVC."

After the tournament at Ole’ Miss, the Skyhawks will be hosting the Econolodge Classic on February 21 and 22. Teams visiting UTM include Indiana University-PurdueUniversity Ft. Wayne, Eastern Tennessee State University, St. Louis University, Oakland University, and Indiana State.

Baseball The UTM baseball season gets off to a delayed start Tuesday, February 17, when the Skyhawks take on the Western Kentucky Hill toppers at home.

Season was scheduled to begin Saturday, at Mississippi Valley State University, but the game was postponed due to rain and moved to April 27th.

Returning this season are nine upperclassmen. The seniors include outfielder Kayo Anderson, infielder Bryant Jones, pitcher Jarrad Robinson, and outfielder Adam Salter. The juniors are third baseman Bryan Berryman, second baseman Brett Hall, centerfielder Hunter Hart, catcher Clayton Pittman, and pitcher Dustin Summers.

Making up the majority of the roster this season are newcomers. There are five transfer players: second base/shortstop Nick Bruner, outfielder Mike Fabrizio, catcher Derek Hall, pitcher Derek Link, and pitcher Jason Smith. Also, there are four freshman redshirts: centerfielder Brian Fisher, pitcher Scott Hamilton, second baseman Douglas Nicodemus, and pitcher Jacob Smothers. Other freshman include pitcher Adam Ledlow, outfielder Nick Luper, infielder Scott McLean, pitcher Ben Meador, catcher Zach Parham, and pitcher Stephen Slay.

A new face on the team that should be recognizable to UTM sports fans is that of outfielder Troy Phillips, who was a four-year member of the football team. Troy, unfortunately, will be sidelined until he recovers from an injury.

"The new talent that we picked up in the off season should really help out," said sophomore first baseman Patrick Bunch. "We should be a much improved squad.
Our attitudes are positive and we are expecting to be in Paducah for the OVC tournament. Our new coaching staff has brought great knowledge to the program."

The experience of the returning players mixed with the enthusiasm of the new ones should make this year's baseball season one to remember.

"I expect to win at least 30-35 games in the regular season," said a determined Salter. "I expect nothing less than Omaha. I am guaranteeing victory."

After taking on WKU on Saturday, the Skyhawks will then travel to Arkansas Sate on Wednesday and then come home for a three game series against the Louisiana-Monroe Indians.