By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
EDITOR'S NOTE: Since the publishing of this preview, Tuesday's contest has been moved to Wednesday due to unplayable field conditions. The Golden Eagles will take on the Blue Raiders at 3 p.m. on Wednesday at Bush Stadium. MTSU won its Monday contest and is now 5-1 on the year as well.
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Following a strange, yet rewarding weekend slate in Savannah, Ga., the Tennessee Tech baseball team will return to its original 2015 schedule Tuesday afternoon when the Golden Eagles (4-2) play host to in-state rival Middle Tennessee (4-1) at 3 p.m. CST.
With inclement weather and field conditions laying waste to any attempt to play in Bush Stadium last week, the Golden Eagles managed to play three neutral-site contests over the weekend, compiling a 2-1 record with victories over Michigan and Davidson.
Middle Tennessee will enter fresh off a three-game home tilt against Western Illinois after losing contests to Valparaiso and Ohio due to weather. The Blue Raiders will conclude its series against WIU Monday afternoon.
Both sides will wait until game day to make pitching decisions.
SERIES INFO
Dates: Feb. 24, 2015
Times: 3 PM CST
Location: Cookeville, Tenn.
Stadium: Bush Stadium
Radio: None
TV: None
SERIES HISTORY
Overall: MTSU leads, 109-65-1
Bragga vs: Series tied, 2-2
Last Meeting: April 9, 2014
MULTIMEDIA
Live Stats: ttusports.com
Audio: None
Video: None
Twitter Updates: @TNTech_Baseball
TENNESSEE TECH GOLDEN EAGLES
2015 Record: 4-2
2015 OVC Record: 0-0 (NR)
Head Coach: Matt Bragga
Career: 299-308-2 (12th season)
TTU: 299-308-2 (12th season)
STAT LEADERS
AVG: Dylan Bosheers (.385)
2B: Bosheers (4)
HR: Tyler Brazelton/Jake Farr (1)
RBI: Bosheers (7)
SB: Five tied (1)
MIDDLE TENNESSEE BLUE RAIDERS
2015 Record: 4-1
2015 Conference USA Record: 0-0 (NR)
Head Coach: Jim McGuire
Career: 63-56 (3rd season)
MTSU: 63-56 (3rd season)
STAT LEADERS
AVG: Michael Adkins (.500)
2B: Austin Bryant (4)
HR: Adkins (2)
RBI: Adkins (14)
SB: Ronnie Jebavy (4)
ALREADY IN MIDSEASON FORM
Preseason All-American Dylan Bosheers already looks to be in midseason form through the team's first six games this season, leaving little doubt as to whether the senior can put up similar numbers to last year's breakout campaign.
The Lawrenceburg, Tenn. native is batting .385 with 10 hits and five runs scored, not to mention seven RBI and a stolen base. And there is plenty more stored in the tank from where that came.
HEATING UP
The Golden Eagle offense is starting to take form, collectively batting .319 over its last four games, including sporting three batters with averages over .400 during that span. Freshmen Chase Chambers and Ryan Flick are torching the ball to a tune of .462/.538/.650 and .400/.600/.417 while senior David Allen is calmly settled in at an average of .417.
NOT SHORT ON TALENT
Listed at just 5-foot-6, sophomore Tyler Brazelton would seem to have a disadvantage on the field when just looking at him. But the third-year outfielder has taken the past two years to erase any doubt in his abilities.
Through six games this season, the Huntsville, Ala. native has already made a splash, batting .444 while spending arguably more time on base than in the dugout with an on base percentage of .706. Brazelton launched the first Tech home run of the year out of the park and also ranks first on the team with a slugging percentage of .889. Let's also not forget that it was his walk-off RBI single that gave Tech its first win of the year.
LEADING OFF
A good lead-off hitter is crucial to running a high-octane offense and head coach Matt Bragga has done a phenomenal job of filling that spot for the Golden Eagles over the years. For 2015, he has plugged in shortstop and second baseman Jake Farr into the role and the JUCO transfer has not disappointed.
In six starts this season, Farr is batting an impressive .320, ranking first on the Golden Eagles with nine runs scored. He also ranks second on the team with eight hits and 12 total bases. Not a bad start.
Photo by Jim Dillon
