The Lindenwood Lions are set to open the 2026 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament on Tuesday, facing UT Martin in a high‑stakes matchup at Mtn Dew Park in Marion, Illinois.
A pivotal first‑round clash
First pitch is slated for 3:00 p.m., and the victor will move into the double‑elimination bracket while the vanquished will see its tournament run end. Both programs enter the game with contrasting recent form, setting the stage for a compelling contest.
Lindenwood arrives with a 29‑26 overall record and a 13‑14 mark in conference play. The Lions boast the OVC’s best staff ERA at 4.26, a testament to a pitching staff anchored by Seth Benes, who tops the league with a 2.33 ERA and 75 strikeouts. Offensively, Will Geary leads the team with a .321 average, 69 hits, 39 runs and 27 stolen bases, while Josh Newell paces the rotation with a 6‑5 record.
UT Martin’s offensive firepower
The Skyhawks bring a .320 team batting average and a conference‑leading 425 runs to the table. Jacob Sitton is expected to start on the mound for UT Martin, while hitters such as Owen Ralph (.800 in the final weekend) and Kam Edwards (.462 with a triple, five runs and three RBIs) have been delivering clutch performances.
Historically, Lindenwood holds a 7‑6 edge over UT Martin, but the Lions dropped all three meetings in March. The upcoming game therefore carries extra significance as the team looks to reverse that trend and advance deeper into the tournament.
Looking ahead
With both squads poised to battle, fans can expect a tightly contested affair that will shape the remainder of the OVC Tournament. The Lions’ blend of solid pitching, timely hitting and experienced leadership aims to translate into a postseason push, while UT Martin will rely on its potent bat and aggressive base‑running to keep the pressure on.