MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - As the saying goes, history has a way of repeating itself. Unfortunately for the Tennessee Tech baseball team, that's precisely what occurred Tuesday evening as the Golden Eagles fell to the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 12-9.
Just six weeks after losing a 7-1 lead to the Blue Raiders in Cookeville in what turned into a 9-7 loss, the Golden Eagles found themselves in an eerily similar position in Murfreesboro. Through four and half innings, Tech looked comfortable with a 7-1 lead and ready to take down the Blue Raiders for the first time in nine games. Middle Tennessee proved unwilling to allow that to happen on its home turf, however, rallying for the second time this season to take the contest 12-9.
Earning the win for the Blue Raiders was relief pitcher Heath Slatton (1-1), who pitched 2.2 innings while allowing three hits, one earned run, and one walk. He struck out four Tech batters. First baseman Trent Miller led the comeback attempt for Middle Tennessee, recording four RBI on a 3-for-5 day at the plate. Catcher Michael Adkins drove in the eventual game-winning run, grabbing an infield single in the bottom of the sixth.
Three Tech players recorded multi-hit days including lead-off man Zach Zarzour, center fielder Austin Wulf, and first baseman Zach Stephens. Zarzour scored three runs in the contest, grabbing two hits and a walk to set up the RBI attempts for his teammates. Stephens led the Golden Eagles with four RBI, ripping two two-run singles. The junior also walked once in the game as well.
Sophomore David Hess (3-2) was handed the loss, giving up three runs in 1.1 innings of relief work for starter Garrett Baugh. Baugh cruised through the first four innings, allowing just one run. The Blue Raider bats found another gear, however, smacking Baugh for six more runs in the fifth inning to tie the game at 7-7.
The Golden Eagles will return home for the first time in over a week on Friday when they host Ohio Valley Conference opponent Eastern Illinois in a three-game series. Game one is set for a 6 p.m. CDT start as the Tech squad will look to continue its hot start to OVC play, going 12-3 through its first 15 league games.