By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
MOBILE, Ala. – Baseball is a game where anything can happen. The Tennessee Tech baseball team learned that Saturday afternoon as the South Alabama Jaguars clawed back for a come-from-behind stunner.
The Golden Eagles looked well on their way to a series-clinching win, leading from the top of the second clear to the bottom of the eighth. But the Jaguars refused to give in on their home field, striking for five runs in the bottom half of the inning on their way to a 6-3 victory over the Tech squad.
Junior starter David Hess tossed a gem on the day, fanning eight batters in six innings of work. He allowed just five hits, one walk, and one earned run in the contest.
The Golden Eagles supported the right-hander, scoring once in each of the second and fourth innings. With the bases loaded in the top of the second, Jake Rowland drove in Daniel Miles on a fielder's choice, giving Tech an early 1-0 advantage.
The Tech bats struck again in the top of the fourth, using a sac bunt from catcher Jordan Parris to drive in shortstop Dylan Bosheers to double the lead to 2-0. Bosheers led off with a double and advanced over on a passed ball. He finished the day 2-for-4 from the plate, adding a walk while scoring two runs.
South Alabama snuck across a run in the bottom of the sixth inning, using a sac fly to cut the Tech advantage in half. The Golden Eagles answered in the top of the eighth.
Bosheers led off the inning with a walk, advancing on a sac bunt by Rowland. The junior then stole third base before scoring off an RBI single to right field by second baseman Zach Zarzour. With just nine outs to go, the Golden Eagles led the Jaguars 3-1.
And then South Alabama struck. The Jaguars collected five runs on four hits, rallying for the 6-3 home victory. USA reliever Tripp Hobbs picked up his first career win with 3.0 innings of work.
In his first game back from Tommy John surgery, senior reliever Stanton Taylor was dealt the loss for the Tech squad.
Tech will battle South Alabama for the series win on Sunday with a 1 p.m. CT first pitch in Mobile, Ala.