Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont University Baseball completed a series sweep on Sunday with an exciting 6-5 win over UT Martin. Belmont improves to 5-1 in Ohio Valley Conference play with the victory.
After a scoreless opening inning, senior Devon Gardner (Maryville, Tenn.) started Belmont's offensive attach with a single up the middle, giving the Bruins a base runner. After a sacrifice bunt from junior Hagan Severance (Brentwood, Tenn.), Gardner found himself in scoring with just one out. He was driven in when senior Chas Hadden (Morristown, Tenn.) ripped an RBI single up the middle, giving Belmont a 1-0 lead. The excitement continued in the third when sophomore Logan Jarvis (Franklin, Tenn.) smoked a two-run home run past the right field fence for a 3-0 lead.
UT Martin immediately responded with a five-run bottom of the second after four hits and a couple of walks to retake the lead 5-3.
The next four innings remained scoreless with good defense on display from both squads. Several Belmont pitchers saw time on the mound Sunday. Sophomore Chandler Schultz (Nashville, Tenn.) and junior Michael Matter (Ft. Myers, Fla.) both threw a scoreless inning with sophomore Stone Selby (Hohenwald, Tenn.) throwing two scoreless.
Belmont scored its final three runs, taking the lead in the top of the seventh. Senior Zach Ehrhart (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.) started off the inning by working a four-pitch walk. Freshman Grayson Taylor's (Madison, Ala.) got hot, ripping a double to left center, putting runners on the corners. After senior Devon Gardner (Maryville, Tenn.) was hit by a pitch, Severance had a big at-bat, singling through the right side, driving in a run. The Bruins used heads-up base running, scoring the tying and go-ahead runs on a passed ball and wild pitch respectively.
Belmont took a narrow 6-5 run, heading into the final two and a half innings. Sophomore Logan Bowen (Bowling Green, Ky.) was called from the bullpen to try and notch his second save in as many days. Bowen allowed just two base runners in the final three innings, striking out the final Skyhawk batter of the afternoon to secure the 6-5 victory and the series sweep.
Belmont will be back in action Tuesday as it plays nationally ranked Vanderbilt at First Tennessee Park.
