By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The Tennessee Tech baseball team kept its winning ways rolling Wednesday afternoon, rallying from an early deficit to down Alabama A&M in extras, 2-1. The Golden Eagles (19-19) moved to .500 on the year with the non-conference victory while the Bulldogs (22-23) dropped below the even threshold.
Alabama A&M actually go the scoring going in the rematch between the two squads, using a two-out, RBI single by Andrew Utterback to take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. The Tech pitching staff hunkered down from that point on, scattering three hits over the next nine innings for the team's ninth win in the past 11 games.
In the top of the third, the Golden Eagles pulled even with the Bulldogs, taking advantage of a miscue by the home squad to square things up at 1-1. Redshirt freshman Matt Cunningham quickly found a spot on third base after drawing a leadoff walk and advancing two bases on a passed ball.
Outfielder Tyler Brazelton followed, reaching first base on the passed ball after striking out. Senior David Allen took his turn at the plate, grounding into a double play that would also be enough to score Cunningham and tie the ball game.
For the next six innings, neither side was able to string together enough hits to take a lead over the other, that is, until the 10th inning. With a long road trip staring the Golden Eagles in the face, Tech made quick work to score the necessary go-ahead run in the frame.
Senior catcher Jordan Hopkins led off with single to second base, setting up junior Jake Farr to play hero two batters later. After a quick out, the second baseman ripped a double to left center field, driving in Hopkins for the first Tech lead of the contest. A subsequent single by Josh Pankratz seemed to be enough to score another run, but a fantastic throw to the plate from left field ended the scoring chance.
With the 2-1 lead and just three outs to go, senior reliever Jeb Scoggins (who had already covered the previous two innings) went 1-2-3 with the Bulldogs to pick up his second victory of the year. The right-handed hurler struck out the first batter swinging before forcing a ground out and lineout to end the game.
Scoggins finished the contest with five strikeouts in three innings of work while taking home the win. All-American shortstop Dylan Bosheers recorded a double on the day, tying the all-time Tech record for doubles in a career (54). He now sits just one two-bagger away from passing Mike Meihls for sole possession of the top mark.
Farr finished the day a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate, reaching base in all five appearances thanks to two walks and the three hits. Both Hopkins and freshman Chase Chambers tallied multiple hits as well.
The Golden Eagles will now head west for a three-game series at No. 5 ranked Arizona State beginning Friday evening. Game one is set for an 8:30 p.m. CT start with Saturday's game two also scheduled for 8:30 p.m. and Sunday's finale beginning at 2:30 p.m.
Photo by Tony Marable
