COOKEVILLE, Tenn. --- The Tennessee Tech offense wasted little time in getting to Evansville pitching staff as it tallied 10 runs through the first four innings Sunday, as the Golden Eagles cruised to a 10-2 victory.
The trio of Zach Stephens, Evan Frazier and Ben Burgess did the most damage for the Golden Eagles as they accounted for two home runs and eight of TTU's nine runs batted in.
Stephens got the Golden Eagles going in the bottom of the first as he launched a two-run shot to left field off Evansville starter Kyle Freeland, to the give the Golden Eagles a 2-1 lead.
Up 3-1 in the bottom of the third, Tech continued to pour it on as Burgess drove in two more runs with a double to right field.
Tech's offense flurry was capped off in the fourth inning as the Golden Eagles drove in five runs on three hits, including a three-run shot by Evan Frazier to right center to give the Golden Eagles a 10-1 lead.
As TTU feasted at the plate, Tech reliever David Hess made things difficult for the Purple Aces as he gave up just one run in six innings, while striking out four.
Garret Baugh, who gave up one run in two innings of work to start the game, was lifted for Hess after the Purple Aces loaded the bases with nobody out in the top of the third. Hess struck out Chris Pearson for the first out and then induced a double play to get out of the inning without a run crossing the plate.
Hess set the Purple Aces down in order through three of his next four innings, before Evansville was finally able to get a run on the board in the top of the eighth off an RBI double from Kyle Kaczmarski. Hess forced a fly out to left field to end the threat as he wrapped up his six innings of work.
Burgess took the hill for the ninth inning and allowed just one hit in one inning of work to secure the victory.
Hess (1-1) took the win while Freeland (1-2) took the loss for Evansville as he gave up nine runs in 3.1 innings pitched.
Austin Wulf saw his 15-game hitting streak come to an end as he finished the day 0-3 with a walk and was hit by a pitch.
TTU hits the road to take on Tennessee Tuesday with the first pitch set for 6 p.m. The game against the Volunteers will be broadcast over Fox Sports South.
