The Skyhawks began the Ohio Valley Conference baseball season doing something they haven’t done since 1994: sweeping a conference series.

Play started with a double header Saturday afternoon at Skyhawk Field against Southeast Missouri State.

UTM won the first game in extra innings, with a score of 3-2, and then went on to win the second game 2-1.

The Skyhawks and SEMO played evenly through the first seven innings of game one. The score was tied at 2-all after UTM first baseman Jason Hockaday scored off of a single by left fielder Zane Gresback. UTM was able to take the first game after centerfielder Zach Dean stole third base in the bottom of the tenth inning. Dean managed to reach home and score the game winning run on a throwing error by SEMO’s catcher.

The Skyhawks batted .250 the first game, and scored three runs on eight hits. Starting pitcher Adam Ledlow worked six innings and allowed six hits and two runs, while walking three batters and striking out two.

In the nightcap game, SEMO jumped out to an early 1 – 0 lead in the fourth inning. The Skyhawks scored the final two runs of the game in the fifth inning to take a 2-1 lead over Southeast Missouri. The team stood strong the remainder of the game and held on for a victory.

Jacob Smothers pitched a complete game for UTM in game two only allowing four hits and one run, while striking out four batters and walking five.

UTM improved to a 7-13 overall record and a 2-0 OVC record with the two wins on Saturday. Their next scheduled game was Sunday afternoon in the series closing game.

The Skyhawks went on to complete the 3-game series sweep over Southeast Missouri State with a 1-0 victory.

The Skyhawks rode the shoulder of junior pitcher Ryan Rockholt who pitched seven and two-thirds innings and struck out a career-high 10 batters. Rockholt only allowed four hits and four walks for his first win of the season.

Shortstop Lance Renton scored UTM’s only run of the game off of a double by designated hitter Kevin Holt.

The wins over the Redhawks not only mark the first OVC series sweep for the Skyhawks in 12 years, but it is also the first 3-game series win under the direction of head coach Victor ‘Bubba’ Cates. With the win, the Skyhawks improve to 8-13 overall and a 3-0 Ohio Valley Conference record.

The Skyhawks next game will be at Southern Illinois on Wed., March 29 at 2 p.m.