By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech baseball team witnessed first hand just why the SIUE Cougars had not lost an Ohio Valley Conference game heading into their series with the Golden Eagles, falling to the team from Edwardsville, Ill. Saturday afternoon, 7-2.
The Cougars (7-10, 7-1) wasted no time taking a lead in Saturday's tilt, plating four in the first inning. SIUE snagged three straight hits to open the frame and tallied five total before a flip to second base ended the inning.
One inning later, two Golden Eagle miscues played a huge role in three unearned runs crossing the dish. The Cougars managed just one hit in the top of the second, but saw two score thanks to a two-run single by Dustin Woodcock.
The Golden Eagles plated a run in the seventh on an error by the Cougar outfield and another in the ninth off a sacrifice fly by junior Jake Farr.
Tech starter Evan Fraliex cruised over the next five innings, finishing the contest with seven innings pitched and one strikeouts. The sophomore allowed four earned runs and seven total, but took his first loss of the season. Senior Jacob Honea closed out the game for the Golden Eagles, tossing two innings of no-hit ball.
Woodcock and Alec Saikal led the Cougar offense with two RBI each, combining for three hits in six at bats. SIUE starter P.J. Schuster moved to 3-0 on the year with six innings of scoreless action on the hill. He scattered four hits and a walk while fanning six. Brett Thomas picked up his second save of the year after wrapping up the final three innings with one earned run allowed and four strikeouts.
The rubber match of the series between the two OVC teams will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon with freshman hurler Travis Moths taking the bump for the Golden Eagles.
Photo by Tony Marable
