By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – As if Friday's Ohio Valley Conference series opener wasn't intense enough, a game that featured nine lead changes and nine pitching changes, Saturday's affair between the Tennessee Tech and Jacksonville State baseball teams took it to a whole new level, as the Gamecocks (18-14, 7-7) outlasted the Golden Eagles (14-19, 7-10) in 13 innings for an 8-7 victory.
The Golden Eagles struck first in the contest, pouring it on early with five spot in the top of the first inning. Sophomore Tyler Brazelton led off by working a six-pitch at bat for a free pass. After advancing two bases on multiple wild pitches, the left fielder came home on an RBI single by All-American Dylan Bosheers, who singled to center field for an early 1-0 lead.
Freshman first baseman Chase Chambers watched four straight pitches miss their mark after swinging and missing on the first offering, putting two runners on for senior Jordan Hopkins. The catcher reached base on a Jax State miscue, loading the bases with just one out. Two batters later, junior Jake Farr cleared the bases with a two-out double to right center field. A subsequent double to right center by Josh Pankratz drove in Farr and just like that, the Tech squad had batted around in the top half of the first for a 5-0 lead.
The Gamecocks managed to answer with a solo run in the bottom half, but it wasn't until the second inning that the home team really made its mark. Jacksonville State plated six runs in the bottom of the second frame, grabbing a 7-5 lead that seemed like it was just the beginning of a high-scoring affair.
But then the bottom just kind of dropped out offensively for both sides. Tech managed to snag single runs in the top of the fifth and sixth innings to tie the contest at 7-7, but for the most part, the pitching became just too clutch.
Each side saw plenty of chances to end the game in both regulation and in extra innings, but it wasn't until the bottom of the 13th that someone was finally able to cross the threshold and walk away with a victory.
In the bottom of the seventh, Jax State seemed destined to take the lead as Gavin Golsan reached base to kick off the frame. A wild pitch and sacrifice bunt moved him all the way to third with just one out, an easy fly ball away from becoming the go ahead run. But Tech wouldn't allow it to be that easy.
Having entered the game at the start of the inning, freshman Travis Moths, who took home the victory the night before for the Tech squad, intentionally walked Paschal Petrongolo to set up a double play ball. Unfortunately, the designated hitter reach second base during the next at bat, taking advantage of a wild pitch.
Moths was forced to offer Tyler Gamble a free pass intentionally, once again setting things up for a double play ball. And this time, things worked out to perfection. Moths forced Ryan Sebra into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning and the threat.
Tech's next chance at taking the lead came in the top of the ninth, as David Allen opened the frame with leadoff double down the left field line. Two pitches later, Bosheers joined his fellow senior on the base paths after getting plunked on a 1-0 offering. Freshman Adam Reed pinch hit in the situation attempting to sac bunt the runners into scoring position. But the Gamecock defense made great play, collecting the out at third while allowing Reed to reach on a fielder's choice.
A second consecutive fielder's choice gave Jax State two outs with Tech runners on the corners, but the Golden Eagles couldn't plate anyone as JSU closer Travis Stout collected one of his five strikeouts in the contest.
Trevor Maloney took over on the mound for the Golden Eagles in the bottom of the ninth, proceeding to work out of three jams over the next four innings. After gathering two quick outs to kick off his first frame of the afternoon, the junior reliever gave up two straight hits, putting Gamecock runners on the corners and Ryan Sebra at the plate with a chance to be the hero.
Instead, Maloney induced a weak ground out back to himself, forcing extras in a long day for everyone involved.
The 10th inning flew by relatively quickly with neither side recording a hit or even managing a baserunner. The 11th, however, was much different. Brazelton led off the top half by getting hit by a pitch, the third time in two days he was hit. After a quick first out, the sophomore advanced to second on a wild pitch. Stout settled down after the mistake, grabbing two more outs to close the threat and give his team a chance at a victory.
Jax State seemed destined for it too, especially after leading off the inning with a single by Hayden White. Golsan laid down a sac bunt to move him over to second before Clayton Daniel earned a walk. White moved to third on a wild pitch, but was unable to score as Petrongolo grounded out to Maloney on 1-2 pitch. The groundout did move Daniel to second, however, leaving two runners in scoring position and Tyler Gamble at the plate. After working a full count, Gamble grounded out to first base to end another threat and give Tech another opportunity.
Moving to the top of the 12th, freshman Ryan Flick singled to center field after a quick out by the JSU defense. Jake Farr earned a spot on base after getting hit by a 3-1 offering, giving the Golden Eagles life and a chance to take the lead. Stout managed one more great inning, however, forcing the next two Tech batters into groundouts to bring up the bottom half.
The Gamecocks once again kicked things off quickly, with Ryan Sebra doubling down the right field line to lead off the inning. Maloney induced a weak ground ball to the next batter, allowing Hopkins throw out the runner at first after holding the pinch-running Peyton Williams at second. A single to right center by Elliot McCummings was nearly enough to drive in the winning run, but Williams was held up at third after a great throw to the plate.
Maloney then dug way down deep, striking out Taylor Hawthorne for a mammoth second out. And then, after forcing Hayden White into a quick 0-2 hole, the junior right hander forced the Gamecock batter to fly out to left center field to end another huge scoring threat.
Each side saw new pitchers for the 13th, as Grant Chandler took the bump for Jacksonville State in the top half. The freshman came up huge, including three straight ground ball outs to set aside the top of the order for the Golden Eagles, setting up his team for a crucial victory.
After netting his third save of the season in the previous night's emotionally draining tilt, senior closer Cain Sloan entered the contest for the Golden Eagles in the bottom of the 13th. The Gamecocks refused to give in, grabbing another leadoff double, this time off the bat of Gavin Golsan. Jax State wasted no time sacrificing the speedster over to third, setting up for the winning run.
Sloan intentionally walked Petrongolo, hoping to induce another clutch, inning-ending double play, but his first offering to Tyler Gamble found its way into right field for a base hit and game-ending RBI.
Despite the loss, the Tech bullpen was unbelievable on the day as five pitchers combined to toss 10 and two thirds innings on the day. Austin Tolle was the first to enter the contest, covering three and two thirds of nearly flawless baseball. The senior allowed just two hits over that span, kicking off 10 straight scoreless innings by the Golden Eagle pitching staff.
Kyle Godwin closed out the final two outs of the sixth inning without allowing a walk or a hit, giving way to the next two frames to Travis Moths. Maloney then covered 12 outs to get to the 13th.
Offensively, Jake Farr was the lead man in clubhouse for Tech, going 2-for-5 with four RBI. Allen, Bosheers and Pankratz all chipped in one RBI each as well.
With the series tied at one game apiece, the rubber match to decide the victor will commence at 1 p.m. CT on Sunday afternoon.
Photo by Tony Marable
