NASHVILLE --- For the second time this season, Tennessee Tech and Lipscomb proved to be evenly matched, but it was the Golden Eagles who once again came away with the one-run victory as they downed the Bisons, 5-4, Tuesday evening at Ken Dugan Field at Stephen L. Marsh Stadium.
The Golden Eagles claimed a 9-8 win over Lipcomb on Feb. 28 in Cookeville.
Tuesday's contest saw Lipscomb try to keep up with the Golden Eagles all night long as the Bisons came back from a pair of two-run deficits, but they finished the evening one comeback short as TTU was able to plate the winning run in the top of the ninth to secure the win.
With one out in the ninth, Michael Morris reached first on an error and advanced to third on Zach Stephens double to right center. Morris then advanced home on Hunter Brothers' wild pitch to give the Golden Eagles what turned out to be the winning run.
The Golden Eagles used six different pitchers in their win including Nick Price, Garrett Baugh and Cullen Park, who each kept Lipscomb off the scoreboard as they combined for five shutout innings.
Price started the game with 2.1 shutout innings and a strikeout before making way for Baugh who kept the Bisons scoreless through the fourth as he sat down all five batters he faced. Park took the hill in the ninth and kept Lipscomb in check to earn his fourth save of the season.
Lipscomb managed to get back into the game as they tallied two runs off of Andy Williams and one run off of Zane Morton, who each threw one inning. TTU then called on Seth Lucio, who entered the game in the seventh. Lucio (3-2) earned the win as he struck out three batters in two innings of work, while giving up just one run.
Chad Hayes guided the TTU offense with two RBIs, while James Abraham and Jordan Hopkins each tallied an RBI apiece. Abraham got the scoring going in the top of the third with an RBI-single to center. Hayes posted his first RBI in the fourth on a fielder's choice and followed up with an RBI-single in the sixth. Hopkins posted his RBI in the sixth as well on a ground out.
Brothers (1-2) took the loss as he gave up one run in two innings. Davey Hackett made the start for Lipscomb as he threw two shutout innings.
Gray Hutchinson, Aaron Sandoval, Logan Hostettler and Lee Wilson each drove in a run for Lipscomb. Wilson knotted up the score at four with a solo-shot in the seventh, while Hutchinson got the scoring going for the Bisons with an RBI-triple in the fifth.
TTU (20-30, 9-14 OVC) wraps up its regular season as it hosts a three-game series against Austin Peay. Game one of the series is set for Thursday at 6 p.m.
