After falling 3-0 to Indiana State last Saturday, the Skyhawks re-group to travel to Cookeville, Tenn. for the Tennessee Tech Tournament.

UTM was scheduled to play five games last weekend in the Ole Miss/Easton Invitational but was cut to one game because of rain.

The rain still did not let up as the game against Indiana State was called in the fifth inning, giving a 3-0 win to the Sycamores. Senior Meredith Ramsey had the Skyhawks' only hit in the game as she blasted a double in the fourth inning.

Kenrda Kosco pitched the entire game for the Skyhawks. The Herrin, Ill native faced 20 batters, giving up three hits and striking out three.

Rain is again in the forecast for the Skyhawks as the Cookeville area is predicted to be wet all weekend with a chance of thunderstorms on Saturday.

The temperature will be no help either as sub-freezing temperatures are expected through Saturday and Sunday. UT Martin will see some familiar faces this weekend as they have played their opponents a combined 35 times. The Skyhawks are also a combined 16-19 against their opponents. UT Martin will face Belmont at 8 a.m. Saturday, followed by Bowling Green at 1 p.m. The Skyhawks will finish the day with Louisville at 3 p.m. UT Martin will kick off Sunday with Saint Louis at 9 a.m. and close out with Bradley at 1 p.m.

Following the Tennessee Tech Tournament, the Skyhawks will hold their season opener Feb. 25, hosting Lipscomb at Bettye Giles Field.

Action is set to begin at 1 p.m. for the doubleheader. The Skyhawks will then turn around and travel to Evansville, Ind. for the Evansville Tournament. Four games are on the schedule against Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Evansville, Boston University and Middle Tennessee.

About Belmont . . . Belmont returns 10 players (including six starters) from last season's squad that went 14-40. This is the 14th meeting between the Bruins and UT Martin with the Skyhawks holding a 7-6 series lead. The Skyhawks beat Belmont 4-1 in their last meeting.

The Bruins have had trouble starting their season. Belmont was scheduled to play five games in the Belmont Invitational, but they were all cancelled because of rain. The Bruins' season finally got under way Tuesday with Belmont hosting Austin Peay. Belmont picked up the 1-0 win in game one of the doubleheader. Sara Peeples had the lone run in the game.

Game two saw more scoring with a different conclusion. With a 4-4 score, the game was called because of darkness after the sixth inning. It is the second tie in Belmont's history. Key returners for the Bruins include LeAnna Crandall, who hit .279 in 2002 with 19 RBI. Christi Davis also returns for the Bruins. She hit .266 with seven RBI.

Belmont loses half of its pitching staff from last season. Manday Miles and Tara Allen return to the mound. Miles pitched 107.3 innings with a 3.07 ERA.

About Bowling Green . . . The Falcons come into the tournament with a 2-3 record. Bowling Green traveled west to start its season with the New Mexico State Tournament. The Falcons lost to San Jose State (6-5), Southwest Texas State (10-4) and Indiana University (8-3) while picking up wins against Marshall (4-0) and New Mexico State (4-0).

Freshman Gina Rango has started all five games at third base for the Falcons and is leading the team, batting .400 with six hits and two home runs.

Liz Vrabel has spent the most time on the mound for Bowling Green. She has a 2.50 ERA while striking out 15 batters. Junior Jody Johnson has a 1.40 ERA in 10 innings pitched with nine strikeouts.

The Falcons return five starters from last year's team that went 22-25-1. This is the second meeting between Bowling Green and the Skyhawks. The Falcons handed UT Martin a 10-2 loss in 2002.