STATESBORO, Ga. – It was a slugfest at JI Clements Stadium
Saturday night, but the Tennessee Tech baseball team couldn’t
survive a seven-run eighth inning from Georgia Southern as the
Golden Eagles fell 16-9 in the second game of a three-game series.
Both teams are now 1-1 on the season, with the rubber-match of the
season-opening series to be played Sunday at 12:30 p.m.
Tech got its nine runs on 14 hits, and committed three errors,
while Georgia Southern used 15 hits to get its 16 runs, and
committed four errors.
Chad Oberacker, A.J. Kirby-Jones, Tate McMillan and Chad Hayes all
had multi-hit games for the Golden Eagles. Oberacker went 3-for-5
with two RBIs and two runs scored. Kirby-Jones went 2-for-4 with an
RBI and a run scored, while Hayes went 2-for-3 at the plate and
batted in two runs. McMillan finished 2-for-4 and scored a run.
With two outs in a scoreless game in the second, a Tech throwing
error kept the inning alive and proved to be costly. GSU would
tally four runs before the Golden Eagles could get out of the
inning, to take a 4-0 lead. The teams each scored a run in the
third inning to give GSU a 5-1 advantage heading into the
fourth.
Facing a four-run deficit, Tech’s bats woke up in a big way
in the fourth inning. McMillan led off the inning with a single
through the right side, which was followed by a double to right
center from Devin Rivers that advanced McMillan to third. With one
out, Hayes Doubled to right, scoring McMillan. Frankie Beech then
reached on an error which scored Hayes, and Oberacker hit an
infield single. Kirby-Jones was given an intentional walk with two
outs, which proved to haunt GSU as Ben Burgess stepped up with a
two-RBI single that ended up scoring three runs after GSU’s
second error of the frame. When the inning was all said and done
Tech scored six runs on five hits with the aid of two errors, and
the Golden Eagles sent 11 batters to the plate and took a 7-5
lead.
GSU would score a pair of runs in bottom half of the inning to tie
the game at seven. Tech would pull ahead 8-7 in the top of the
fifth but again GSU would tie the game in the bottom of the inning.
Headed into the eighth inning the game was tied 9-9, but GSU had
one final push left in it. The Eagles would ding Tech’s
Chason Choate for seven runs in the bottom of the eighth to provide
the game’s final margin.
Sophomore Matthew Shepherd got the start on the mound for the
Golden Eagles, and went 3.1 innings. He allowed eight hits and
seven runs, however only two of those runs were earned. Stephen
Pryor entered as relief in the fourth inning and went 2.2 innings,
allowing two runs on three hits. Chason Choate gave up seven runs
on four hits in 1.2 innings pitched and Wade Bilbrey threw a third
of an inning without allowing a hit.
The two teams will play the deciding game of the three game series
on Sunday at 12:30 central. Tech will be in Cookeville for its home
opener against Cleveland State on Feb. 26 in the first game of a
three-game weekend series.
June 28, 2010
Building a Tradition of Excellence
June 20, 2010
A.J. and Chad: Tech's Outstanding Male Athletes for 2010
June 18, 2010
Golden Eagle sluggers earn a couple more
June 4, 2010
Tech's David Mays inducted into OVC Hall of Fame
May 17, 2010
Oberacker owns the votes for OVC Player of the Week
May 16, 2010
Skyhawks snap Techs win streak in series finale
May 6, 2010
Golden Eagles and Govs face off at Tech
May 1, 2010
Entire series washed out at Eastern Kentucky
April 28, 2010
Golden Eagles eye sweep of ETSU on the road Wednesday night
April 25, 2010
Five home runs lift Tech to OVC sweep, third place in OVC
April 24, 2010
Tech vs. Morehead Series Delayed Due to Rain
April 23, 2010
Start time moves up to 11 a.m. against Morehead State
April 20, 2010
MTSU snaps Techs five-game winning streak, 11-5
April 13, 2010
Golden Eagles complete season sweep over Belmont, 15-3
April 10, 2010
Golden Eagles drop pair of tight OVC contests at SEMO
April 7, 2010
Oberacker slams Tech to 12-8 victory over Lipscomb
April 6, 2010
Patience and power pay off as Tech tops Lipscomb, 15-14
March 27, 2010
Golden Eagles felled twice by SIUE Cougars Saturday
March 20, 2010
Memphis wins 6-1 over Tennessee Tech
March 16, 2010
Golden Eagle baseball team faces two in-state foes
March 14, 2010
Tech tops Buffalo in series finale
March 13, 2010
Golden Eagles split Saturday double-header with Buffalo
March 10, 2010
Golden Eagles snap skid with 14-13 win over South Alabama
March 9, 2010
Golden Eagles visit South Alabama for a pair
March 3, 2010
Early Vandy lead holds up, Tech falls 10-1 to Commodores
March 2, 2010
Golden Eagles visit No. 30 Vanderbilt
February 28, 2010
Golden Eagles clinch series with dominating win over Cleveland State
February 27, 2010
Seventh inning rally leads Tech to 10-8 victory
February 26, 2010
Tech pitchers fan 16 but fall 7-2 in home opener
February 26, 2010
Tech's A.J. Kirby-Jones featured on PingBaseball.com
February 25, 2010
Schedule changes announced for Saturday's action
February 24, 2010
Tech set for home opener against Cleveland State
February 20, 2010
Georgia Southern out-lasts Golden Eagles
February 19, 2010
Golden Eagles win season opener at Georgia Southern
February 18, 2010
Outstanding TTU Alumni include two athletes, one supporter
February 17, 2010
Golden Eagles begin championship defense this weekend
February 4, 2010
Golden Eagle baseball camp canceled Saturday
January 22, 2010
Long-time TTU supporter Howell Bush passes away at age 94
January 19, 2010
Tech's Bragga honored as TBCA Coach of the Year
January 18, 2010
Baseball team to face new and traditional rivals, 24 OVC games
December 17, 2009
Former Golden Eagle pitcher Erik Sabel coaching at Visalia