By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
JACKSON, Tenn. – With a 5-1 win over Southeast Missouri in the second round of the Ohio Valley Conference baseball tournament, the Tennessee Tech baseball team did more than just advance to Day 3 to play Austin Peay. The Golden Eagles set a new standard for Tech baseball.
The 2013 squad became the first in program history to win 40 games in a single season, breaking the mark of 39 wins set by the 1997 team. It also marked the first time in OVC history that the league had two 40-win teams in the same season as Austin Peay also has 40+ victories this season.
Senior ace Tristan Archer picked up his ninth win of the season, tossing 8.1 innings while scattering seven hits and allowing just one earned run. He also struck out six batters. The start marked the 55th of the righty's career, tying the OVC career mark for starts. Even bigger, the win marked the 23rd of Archer's career, making him the all-time career wins leader in Tech history.
Also collecting an impressive career milestone was sophomore closer Seth Lucio. The young pitcher picked up his 12th save of the season, extending his single season record while tying the Tech career record as well.
Tech took advantage of five Redhawk errors on the night, scoring three unearned runs (plus two earned).
Following three scoreless inning by both sides, Tech finally broke the tie, scoring a run on an RBI fielder's choice up the middle by James Abraham. He drove in Daniel Miles who had walked earlier in the inning.
The Golden Eagles collected three more in the bottom of the fifth, using clutch two-out hitting after being given life by an error by SEMO's second baseman. Zach Stephens scored on the dropped fly ball, doubling the Tech lead to 2-0. An RBI double by Dylan Bosheers and RBI single by James Abraham put the Golden Eagles up 4-0 to end the inning.
Both sides collected runs in the sixth, ending the scoring for the rest of the game to provide the final of 5-1.
Senior outfielder Austin Wulf went 2-for-4 on the night, putting him just three hits shy of the Tech all-time hits record and four from breaking it. He joined Stephens and Bosheers as the hits leaders for the day, as each collected two each. Abraham led the Golden Eagles with two RBI and Miles led the scoring effort with two runs scored.
Tech will face off against the No. 2 seeded Governors on Friday at 7 p.m. CDT at the Ballpark at Jackson. The winner will advance to the championship game on Saturday while the loser will head to the loser's bracket for a play-in game to the championship game.
Fans can watch the entire 2013 OVC Baseball Tournament live on
the OVC Digital Network. There is no
charge to watch the event and the games are available on any
computer, tablet or smart phone.
Tickets for the event will be $10 per day or $28 for an
all-session pass (up to 11 total games). There is also an $8 a day
rate (or $25 for an all-tournament pass) for students/faculty of
OVC-member schools (with valid ID) or for groups. All seats at the
6,000-seat park are general admission for the OVC Championship.
Fans can purchase tickets in person at the Jackson Generals box
office or by calling (731) 988-5299 or going online here: https://www.ticketreturn.com/prod2/team.asp?sponsorid=4577.