By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – After a four-game road swing to start the season, it's finally time for the home opener for the Tennessee Tech baseball team. The Golden Eagles (3-1) will host NYIT (0-0) in a four-game set beginning Friday at 3 p.m. CT.
The defending Ohio Valley Conference champions will return to Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex for the first time since winning the regular season title less than a year ago. The Golden Eagles return after taking two of three from South Alabama in the season-opening series in Mobile, Ala. and defeating in-state rival Middle Tennessee on Tuesday afternoon.
The contest not only marks the home opener for the Tech squad, but also the season-opening series for NYIT. The Bears, who compete at the Division I level in baseball as an independent, enter their second year under head coach Bob Malvagna, having earned a 10-47 record last season.
TENNESSEE TECH (3-1) vs. NYIT (0-0)
Friday, Feb. 21 / Saturday, Feb. 22 / Saturday, Feb. 22 / Sunday, Feb. 23
3 p.m. / 12 p.m. / 3 p.m. / 12 p.m.
Bush Stadium (1,100) – Cookeville, Tenn.
FOLLOWING THE ACTION
Webcast: none
Live Stats: ttusports.com
Radio: none
TV: none
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
• This four-game set marks the first for the Tech baseball team since 2010 when the Golden Eagles played a quad series against Buffalo. The TTU squad took three of the four games from the Bulls, outscoring its opponent 37-22 in three days on the diamond.
• Third baseman Daniel Miles is on a tear to start the year, leading the Golden Eagles with an impressive .444 average and .524 on-base percentage. The senior has eight hits, including a double, as well as three walks.
• For the second straight season, senior Brandon Thomasson is off to a hot start, blasting two home runs against Middle Tennessee to up his batting average to .357. He drove in three runs in the contest, helping Tech come back from two separate deficits. The right fielder is now slugging .786 on the year, tops on the Golden Eagles squad.
• This weekend's weather is looking great for the home opener. Friday shows a high of 55°. Saturday's prospects are a high of 63° and Sunday looks like a high of 53° with clear skies the whole way.
Here's a look at the starting pitchers for Tech:
TENNESSEE TECH GOLDEN EAGLES' PROBABLE STARTING ROTATION
| Day |
Pos. | Name |
Yr. |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Hometown (Previous School) |
| FRI | RHP | Chris Chism | Jr. | 6-1 | 205 | Tampa, Fla. (St. Petersburg College) |
| SAT | RHP | David Hess | Jr. | 6-1 | 198 | Tullahoma, Tenn. (Tullahoma HS) |
| SAT | RHP | Jacob Honea | Jr. | 6-0 | 183 | Tullahoma, Tenn. (Motlow State CC) |
| SUN | LHP | John Gora | Jr. | 5-11 | 190 | Canfield, Ohio (Lakeland CC) |