MARTIN, Tenn. (Interstat) — The Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks erupted for five runs in the first inning and rode a dominant start from Brandon King to an 8-2 victory over the Southern Illinois Salukis in nonconference baseball action Tuesday night at Skyhawk Park.

The win evened the season series after the Salukis won a 10-inning thriller just six days prior. It also pushed both teams to identical 9-win records, with Tennessee-Martin moving to 9-12 and Southern Illinois falling to 9-14. The outcome defied pregame projections, which heavily favored the Salukis.

The game’s decisive moment came immediately, as the Skyhawks sent 10 batters to the plate in a relentless bottom of the first inning. Southern Illinois starter Smith recorded only one out before being chased. After a single and a walk, TJ Dunsford delivered the key blow, a two-run double to left-center that tied the game 2-2. Following another walk to load the bases, Koch singled up the middle to drive in two more, giving Tennessee-Martin a lead it would not relinquish. A pitching change to Gio De Graauw did not stop the bleeding, as Lawrence added an RBI double to cap the five-run frame and stake the Skyhawks to a 5-2 advantage.

That early outburst provided more than enough support for Skyhawks right-hander Brandon King, who delivered his best performance of the season. The senior silenced the Salukis over five strong innings, allowing just two hits and no earned runs while striking out three. This was a stark turnaround for King, who was tagged for two runs in just one inning of relief against The Citadel in his previous appearance on March 14.

Tennessee-Martin extended its lead in the fourth inning. With two on and two out, Colten Payton singled to center to drive in a run, making it 6-2. Dunsford followed with another two-run single, his second of the game, to push the margin to 8-2. Dunsford finished 2-for-4 with a game-high four RBIs, while Payton went 2-for-4 with an RBI.

The Salukis’ offense was stifled, managing only four hits total. Their only runs came on a two-out, two-run home run by center fielder Julio Guerrero in the eighth inning, which followed a single by pinch-hitter Dibble. That blast accounted for both Southern Illinois runs and RBIs.

Following King, the Skyhawks’ bullpen was impeccable. Gabe Bryant, Mason Little, and Gehrig Wright combined for four perfect innings of relief, striking out four and allowing no baserunners to seal the victory.

For Southern Illinois, reliever Jace Kirby provided a bright spot. After the early damage, Kirby entered in the fifth inning and threw three hitless, scoreless frames, striking out five. Gavan Wernsing added a scoreless eighth.

The Salukis will look to rebound when they open a three-game series at home against Utah Tech on Friday. Tennessee-Martin also begins a three-game home set on Friday, hosting Lindenwood (MO).