MARTIN, Tenn. --- Despite a quick start, Tennessee Tech was unable to keep the UT Martin Skyhawks at bay as UTM rallied for six unanswered runs Friday to take the series opener 6-5.

The Golden Eagles did not waste any time as they posted five runs off UTM starter Alec Mills. Zach Stephens got the scoring going as he hit his 10th home run of the season, a two-run shot, to give TTU an early 2-0 lead.

The TTU offense continued to pour it on in the second inning at it added three more runs, two of which came off of Dylan Bosheers' RBI-triple.   

TTU starter Tristan Archer managed to keep the UT Martin offense in check through four, with the only blemish coming in the second inning as Ben Campbell led off the inning with a solo home run.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Skyhawks were finally able to get to Archer as Grant Glasser and Jordan Owen led off the inning with back-to-back home runs to bring UTM within two at 5-3.

David Hess came on in relief of Archer, but the Skyhawks managed to get two more runs to knot up the score at five.

Hess and UTM relief pitcher Dan Tobik managed to throw scoreless sixth and seventh innings, but in the bottom eighth Chase Okey knocked UTM's fourth solo home run of the contest to give the Skyhawks the 6-5 lead.

Tech managed to load the bases in the top of the ninth, but Tobik managed to hang on as the Skyhawks took the 6-5 win.

Hess (1-3) took the loss as he gave up two runs, while striking out six batters in four innings, while Tobik (1-1) earned the win as he threw three scoreless innings.

Game two is set for Saturday at 2 p.m.