SOUTHEAST SWEEPS ASIDE SKYHAWKS

MARTIN, Tenn. -- Southeast plunged Tennessee-Martin even deeper into the OVC basement while helping its own cause with a doubleheader sweep Friday.

Todd Pennington continued to whittle away at an already minuscule 1.21 E.R.A., blanking the Skyhawks 7-0 in the opener. The nightcap saw a little more offense as the Indians scored nine runs in the top of the seventh inning for an 18-9 victory.

Southeast improved to 25-12 overall and 8-3 in OVC play. Tennessee-Martin dipped to 5-31 overall and 1-13 in conference action.

Pennington, a junior, held the Skyhawks to just three singles in improving to 7-1. His performances was dominant once again as he struck out nine batters and walked just one.

Zach Borowiak, who had two hits, provided the only run Pennington would need when he opened the top of the second with a home run to left field. Borowiak's homer was one of four by the Indians, including two by third baseman Denver Stuckey.

After Southeast added three runs in the fourth, Stuckey blasted a solo home run in the fourth. Brian Hopkins and Stuckey closed out the scoring with back-to-back home runs in the seventh.

Jason Sullivan went the distance for Tennessee-Martin and suffered the loss.

The nightcap started and ended in wild fashion.

Southeast scored five times in the first inning on a two-run double by Vern Hatton and a three-run homer by Tristen McDonald.

UTM then chased Southeast starter Brad Purcell in a seven-run first inning. The first six Skyhawks reached base five on hits against Purcell, who gave way to Mark Frazier, who allowed two more hits before obtaining the first out.

Southeast reclaimed the lead in a four-run second, which featured a two-run double by Borowiak.

The Skyhawks tied the score with single runs in the third and fifth innings.

Winning pitcher Jeffrey Hilz (5-1) relieved Frazier in the fifth inning and limited UTM to one hit in 2 2/3 innings while striking out five.

Southeast broke the game open in the seventh inning, scoring nine runs despite only two hits. Eight of the runs scored with two out. The Indians were helped by five walks and three errors in the inning. McDonald had a two-run double in the inning to finish with five RBIs.