Smith, Skyhawks beat TMU 12-9

EMERSON, Ga. (March 10, 2022) – Behind a grand slam from Jakobe Smith in the bottom of the second and a solid pitching performance from Austin Tebo, the Point University baseball team earned a 12-9 victory over Appalachian Athletic Conference in-state rivals Truett McConnell University Thursday afternoon.

Point posted six runs in the bottom of the second to take a commanding lead over the Bears. Jackson Bush started Point's rally with a double down the left field line and scored the next at-bat off an RBI single from Jhamante Woods. Zebediah Baird connected for Point's third consecutive hit and an error would allow Kole Sonnier to reach first to load the bases. The Skyhawks would push their second run across with a bases-loaded walk to Dillon Brown to bring in Woods. With two outs, Smith would launch his sixth home run of the season over the right field fence for a grand slam and help the Skyhawks lead 6-0.

The Bears would get a run back in the top of the fourth following an infield RBI groundout, but the Skyhawks would answer back in the bottom of the inning with a double to right-center from Baird, followed by an error that allowed Sonnier on base and moved Baird to third. With runners on the corner, Sonnier would steal second and a throwing error from Truett McConnell's catcher would allow Baird to come home, making the score 7-1.

In the top of the fifth, Truett would start the inning with a double, and a Skyhawk error would allow the Bears' leadoff hitter to score. The Bears would capitalize once again on an infield RBI groundout to score their second run of the inning and cut Point's lead down to four (7-3).

In the bottom of the frame, back-to-back singles to right field from Brown and Connor Varnum would bring score four runs to extend Point's lead out 11-3.

The Skyhawks were poised to put the game away in seven innings as Point led by eight with two outs in the top of the seventh, but the Bears would push two runs across in the top of the frame to cut Point's lead back down to six (11-5). Point had another opportunity in the bottom of the frame to put the game away early, as Point loaded the bases and a walk to Francisco Garcia would bring home Brown to extend Point's lead back to seven, but the Bears were able to get the third out of the inning, leaving the bases loaded and send the game into the eighth inning.

The Bears' offense would catch fire in the top of the eighth as TMU combined for five hits and four runs. An error with bases loaded with allow the Bears to score their first run, and a 3-RBI double to left field from Truett's Andrew Johnston would bring the Bears within three (12-9). A pitching change would bring in Jackson Knox, who would get the final out of the inning and prevent the Bears from doing more damage.

Point was unable to add any insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth, but Casten Reed came in to pitch for Point in the top of the ninth and after a walk and an error allowed Truett's first two runners on base, the Skyhawks were able to get the final three outs of the game with an infield groundout and back-to-back strikeouts.

The Skyhawks combined for eight hits, with Baird leading the way, going 2-for-4 and scoring three times. Smith went 1-for-2 with four RBIs and two walks, Brown was 1-for-2, scoring three times, driving in three runs and walking twice. Varnum was 1-for-3 with two RBIs, Kevin Howard was 1-for-5, Bush was 1-for-2 with three walks, and Woods was 1-for-4.

Austin Tebo got the start and the win, going 5.0 innings, giving up three hits, three runs (one earned), walking three and striking out two. This is Tebo's third win of the season. Alex Williamson came in for relief, going 2.0 innings, giving up two hits, two runs (both earned), Cale Whigham pitched two/thirds of an inning, giving up four hits, four runs (two earned) and walking one and Knox threw one/third of an inning and only gave up one hit. Reed earned his third save of the season as he pitched the final inning, giving up no hits, no runs, walking one and striking out two.

Up next, Point will look for the series victory tomorrow, Friday, March 11, as the Skyhawks and Bears face off in the doubleheader portion of the series, with first pitch of game one scheduled for 10 a.m. at the LakePoint Baseball Complex in Emerson, Ga.