MARTIN, Tenn. (Interstat) — The Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks erupted for 10 runs across the first two innings and cruised to a 12-1 victory over the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils in the first game of a doubleheader Friday afternoon at Skyhawk Park.

The offensive outburst, which featured three home runs, provided more than enough support for Skyhawks starter Jacob Sitton, who delivered a dominant performance on the mound. Sitton earned the win after pitching seven strong innings, allowing one earned run on four hits while striking out eight and walking two.

The game was effectively decided in a relentless opening frame. After the Delta Devils went quietly in the top of the first, Tennessee-Martin’s Terence Grines led off the bottom half by launching his first home run of the season to right field, immediately tying the game. The Skyhawks were far from done. Following a single by Andrew Davis, Colten Payton connected for a two-run homer, his first of the year, to make it 3-1. The inning continued with a hit-by-pitch, a bunt single and an RBI single from JT Popick. Two more runs crossed on a stolen base and a throwing error by Mississippi Valley State catcher Ty Burns, capping a five-run inning and staking the Skyhawks to a 5-1 lead.

Tennessee-Martin broke the game open with another five-run rally in the second. Grines doubled and scored on Davis’ bunt single. After an error extended the inning, Garner Anderson drove in two runs with a double. Popick then followed with a two-run homer to deep center field, his second of the season, pushing the advantage to 10-1.

The Skyhawks added their final two runs in the fourth inning. After a walk and a hit-by pitch, Grines delivered again, smacking a two-run double to deep center field to complete the scoring. Grines finished as the game’s top star, going 3 for 5 with a home run, two doubles and three RBIs, breaking out of a brief slump after going a combined 2 for 8 in his previous two games.

Mississippi Valley State, which managed only four hits total, scored its lone run in the seventh inning. Aiden Meyer, pinch-running after a single by Jace Jones, advanced to third on a walk and a wild pitch before scoring on a sacrifice fly by Burns.

The Delta Devils used five pitchers in the loss. Starter Luke Richard lasted just two innings, surrendering 10 runs, eight earned, on nine hits. Relievers Camden Farmer, Eric Torrero and Matthew Cuzco combined for four innings of scoreless relief, with Cuzco striking out two in a perfect sixth inning.

With the victory, Tennessee-Martin improved its season record to 4-6. Mississippi Valley State fell to 2-8. The teams were scheduled to play the second game of the doubleheader Friday evening.

The result defied the pregame projection from Interstat, whose game simulator had predicted a 5-2 Skyhawks win. Tennessee-Martin’s offensive explosion far exceeded that forecast, capitalizing on early opportunities and defensive miscues by the Delta Devils to secure a decisive victory to open the three-game weekend series.