By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
SAVANNAH, Ga. – A back-and-forth battle in the home of Minor League Baseball's Savannah Sand Gnats went in favor of Michigan Friday afternoon, as the Tennessee Tech baseball team fell in its first game of the weekend, 6-5.
After canceling its three-game series at home against Youngstown State due to inclement weather in the area, the Golden Eagles managed to schedule three games for this weekend, playing Michigan on Friday and Saturday and Davidson on Sunday. The Wolverines captured the first game of the weekend, sneaking by in the top of the ninth after an eighth-inning rally by a young Tech squad.
Leading 3-2 headed to the top of the eighth inning, Michigan took advantage of a pitching change to score three runs in the frame and take a 5-3 advantage into the bottom half of the inning. The team looked well on its way to victory.
But the Wolverines continued to struggle with a problem that had hampered them all day. Free bases. After walking eight batters and hitting one more over the first seven innings, Michigan kicked off the bottom of the eighth by hitting Johnny Carpenter. They followed with a walk of Anthony El Chibani and immediately went to the bullpen.
That didn't seem to help, as the next reliever hit Jake Farr on his just his fourth pitch. Ryan Flick entered for Tech, pinch hitting with the bases loaded and no outs. Michigan changed its pitcher again, bringing in its first baseman to toss the final two innings of the contest.
With practically no time for warm up, Jacob Cronenworth struggled initially, walking Flick on four straight pitches as Tech cut the Michigan lead down to 5-4. He settled enough to strike out Dylan Bosheers and force Tyler Brazelton into a ground out to shortstop. Brazelton still managed to drive in a run on the play, tying the game for Tech at 5-5 before the final out of the inning was recorded.
In the top of the ninth, Michigan quickly found an advantage of runners on first and third with one out. Cody Bruder drove in the winning run, laying down a suicide squeeze attempt that turned into a base hit bunt to the pitcher and RBI single. Michigan took a 6-5 lead.
The Wolverines would hold on to capture their second win of the year.
Dylan Bosheers led the Golden Eagles on the day, driving in two runs on the power of a 2-for-5 day from the plate. He laced two doubles on the day.
John Gora took a no-decision on the day, tossing five and two thirds inning of solid ball. The senior southpaw scattered six hits and two walks, allowing just one earned run and two runs overall while striking out a career-high seven batters.
The Golden Eagles will hit the field again on Saturday at 3 p.m. CST, taking on Michigan once again, this time as the 'visiting team.' The game will once again be held in Savannah at Grayson Stadium.
Photo by Jim Dillon
