CARBONDALE, Ill. (Interstat) — The Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks built a large early lead and then withstood a furious rally by the Southern Illinois Salukis to secure a 7-6 victory in 10 innings Wednesday at Abe Martin Field.

The Skyhawks (8-9) scored all seven of their runs in the first two innings, capitalizing on aggressive baserunning and timely hitting to jump ahead 7-1. The Salukis (8-11) chipped away before a four-run seventh inning brought them within a run, but their comeback fell short.

Tennessee-Martin struck immediately in the first. T. Grines led off with a double down the left-field line, advanced to third on a stolen base and scored on a groundout by C. Payton. A. Davis, who was hit by a pitch, stole second and later scored on an RBI double by TJ Dunsford.

The Skyhawks erupted for four more runs in the second, highlighted by small ball and Southern Illinois miscues. C. Greene singled, stole third and scored on a throwing error by the catcher. A. Lawrence walked, stole second, advanced to third on the same error and scored on an RBI single by B. Strickland. Strickland later stole home as part of a double steal attempt that saw Davis thrown out at second.

Southern Illinois got one run back in the first on an RBI double by Kaleb Hall and another in the second on a sacrifice fly by Jaden Flores, making it 7-2.

From there, the game transformed into a bullpen duel. After Skyhawks starter Drake Bayles allowed two runs over two innings, Cason Sharp entered and provided four critical innings of relief, though he was charged with three runs. The Salukis’ relief corps, after a rough start, silenced the Tennessee-Martin offense for a long stretch. Dylan Petrey, Josh Hyneman, Tyson Greene and Gio De Graauw combined for 5 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and striking out seven.

The most important part of the game came in the bottom of the seventh inning, as Southern Illinois mounted its major threat. Trailing 7-2, the Salukis loaded the bases with no outs against Sharp. A walk to Henry Kufa forced in a run, ending Sharp’s day. Silas Jones entered and allowed two more runs on a groundout by pinch-hitter Michael Mylott and a fielder’s choice by Mason Schwalbach, pulling Southern Illinois within 7-5.

The Salukis inched closer in the eighth. After a single by Flores, Tim Simay delivered a two-out RBI single to right field, scoring Flores after an error by the right fielder to make it 7-6.

Tennessee-Martin added a crucial insurance run in the top of the 10th. With two outs and the bases loaded, A. Lawrence grounded out to second, allowing pinch-runner Amari Conley to score.

Southern Illinois threatened in the bottom of the 10th, putting runners on second and third with two outs after a hit-by-pitch and a walk. But Gabe Petrucelli, pinch-hitting, lined out to second baseman B. Strickland to end the game.

Grines and Greene each had two of Tennessee-Martin’s 10 hits. For Southern Illinois, which also had 10 hits, Hall and Flores each collected two.

The win improved Tennessee-Martin to .500 on the road this season at 5-5. Southern Illinois fell to 5-6 at home.

The teams are scheduled to meet again in a rematch on Tuesday in Martin, Tennessee.

The Skyhawks open a three-game series at Southeast Missouri State on Friday. The Salukis begin a three-game set at Illinois-Chicago on Friday.