UTM completes sweep of 'Hawks

MARTIN, Tenn. -- Another miserable offensive performance by Southeast Missouri State led to an unprecedented series sweep at the hands of Tennessee-Martin.

The host Skyhawks posted a 1-0 victory Sunday afternoon, after beating the Redhawks 3-2 and 2-1 during Saturday's doubleheader.

Tennessee-Martin had never previously swept a three-game series from Southeast. In addition, the Skyhawks posted their first Ohio Valley Conference series sweep since 1994.

Southeast, which has lost seven straight games, fell to 6-14 overall and 0-3 in OVC play. Tennessee-Martin improved to 8-13 and 3-0.

The Redhawks, who entered play Sunday with an OVC-worst .223 batting average, have scored just seven runs in their last six games.

Southeast had 15 hits in the series, including four Sunday. Tennessee-Martin had 16 hits in the series, including three Sunday.

Wasted by the Redhawks was another strong pitching performance as senior left-hander Derek Herbig (1-1) went all eight innings. He struck out five and walked three.

Saturday's starters, Jamie McAlister and Anthony Maupin, were also solid, as was reliever Josh Parham.

But the Redhawks could get virtually nothing going against Tennessee-Martin junior right-handers Ryan Rockholt and Chadwick Cameron.

Rockholt (1-3) pitched 7 2/3 innings, allowing four hits and striking out a career-high 10, along with four walks.

Cameron earned his second save by retiring all four batters he faced.

The Skyhawks broke a scoreless tie in the seventh inning. Lance Renton drew a leadoff walk, was sacrificed to second and scored when designated hitter Kevin Holt was jammed but flared a double down the left-field line.

Southeast's best chance came in its half of the seventh as the Redhawks had a runner on third with one out.

Dustin Pritchett had one of Southeast's four hits, making him 5-for-10 in the series. Freshman Aaron Rave had a hit in each game, but no other Redhawk had more than two hits in the series.

The Redhawks host Missouri at 6 p.m. Wednesday.