MOBILE, Ala. – With one out and the bases loaded in the
bottom of the ninth inning Ryan Hopkins came in to pitch for the
Golden Eagles and try to preserve a slim two-run lead. And he did
just that, forcing back-to-back ground balls to earn the save and
give the Tennessee Tech baseball team a 14-13 win over South
Alabama Wednesday afternoon.
The Golden Eagles tallied 14 runs on 20 hits and it proved to be
just enough, as Tech escaped with the road win over the Jaguars to
earn a split in the two-game series.
Seth Edwards went 4-for-6 at the plate, Chad Hayes and Chad
Oberacker each went 3-for-5, and A.J. Kirby-Jones, Casanova
Donaldson, Zephan Guyear and Evan Frazier each had two hits, as
Tech reached the 20 hit mark for the second time in the young
season. The Golden Eagles improve to 5-7 on the season, and snap a
five-game losing streak. USA falls to 9-6 on the year.
The Golden Eagles came out of the gates strong, rallying for four
runs in the first inning and three in the second to take a 7-1 lead
into the third inning. But the Jaguars began chip away, and heading
into the eighth inning USA had cut Tech’s lead to just 12-10.
Both teams scored a run in the eighth inning, and Tech added
another in the ninth to go ahead 14-11. USA led off the bottom of
the ninth with a pair of walks and single to load the bases with no
outs. After a strikeout and another walk, Hopkins entered the game
and was able to get the save.
The Golden Eagles scored in every inning except for the fourth,
while USA scored a run in seven of the nine innings in the
offensive battle. Nine different Golden Eagle batters had at least
one hit in the game.
Chason Choate got the start on the mound for the Golden Eagles, and
allowed six runs on seven hits in 4.1 innings of work while walking
two and striking out two. Stephen Pryor got the win for the Golden
Eagles after pitching two-thirds of an inning without allowing a
hit or a run and striking out two batters.
A.J. Kirby-Jones hit his team-leading fourth home run of the
season, which puts him alone in fourth place on Tech’s
all-time career home run list with 29 for his career. Two of
Edwards’ four hits were doubles, and Oberacker added a double
as well for the Golden Eagles offensively. Tate McMillan drew three
walks in the game.
The Golden Eagles will return home for a four-game weekend series
against Buffalo at Bush Stadium beginning with a single game on
March 12 at 3 p.m., followed by a double-header on March 13 at 1
p.m. and the series finale on March 14 at noon. Admission to all
Tech home baseball games is free.
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