COOKEVILLE, Tenn. --- After a rough non-conference outing at Belmont, the Tennessee Tech baseball team returned home Tuesday in force as it got up on Alabama A&M quickly as the Golden Eagles claimed the 13-1 victory.
After a scoreless first inning, the Golden Eagles got the fireworks going in the second as they rallied for seven runs on seven hits to open a 7-0 lead. Six TTU players recorded an RBI in the inning, which also included two walks, a hit batter and a wild pitch.
While the Golden Eagles were feasting at the plate, TTU starter Nick Price was equally effective in his first outing since March 4 due to injury.
Price set the Bulldog lineup down in order in the first three innings as he allowed no hits and no base runners. AAMU was finally able to break through in the fourth off an RBI-double from Julio Nunez, but that was all the Bulldogs could muster as Price wrapped up his four innings of work allowing just one run while striking out six.
TTU went to the bullpen for the final five innings as Zane Morton, Seth Lucio, Garrett Baugh and David Hess shutout the Bulldogs to finish the game.
All together, the TTU pitching staff struck out 14 AAMU batters while giving up four hits and issuing one free pass.
Morton threw two innings and struck out three, while Lucio, Baugh and Hess each threw one scoreless inning, with Lucio striking out all three batters he faced.
While the Tech bullpen did its job, the Golden Eagle offense continued to add on the runs as it posted one run in the third, fourth and seventh innings, and a three-spot in the sixth as TTU went on to the 13-1 win.
Four Golden Eagles posted multi-hit games, including James Abraham, Chad Hayes and Jordan Hopkins, who each tallied three hits. Hopkins, along with Austin Wulf and Dylan Bosheers, each posted a team-high two RBI.
Price (2-2) earned the win for his effort, while Sanchez Tucker (0-2) was saddled with the loss as he allowed eight runs in three innings of work.
The Golden Eagles (14-18, 5-4 OVC) resume Ohio Valley Conference play this weekend as they host a three-game series with SIU Edwardsville beginning Friday at 6 p.m.
