By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee exacted some revenge on the Tennessee Tech baseball team Wednesday evening, edging the Golden Eagle squad in extra innings at Bush Stadium, 7-5.
After taking down their in-state rival in Murfreesboro earlier in the month, taking a 6-5 decision that came down to the wire, the Golden Eagles couldn't quite complete the comeback against the Blue Raiders the second time around, falling in the 10th inning.
A back-and-forth affair all evening long, the visiting squad got off to a 1-0 lead in the top of the second, but the Golden Eagles quickly rallied for a two spot in the bottom half.
Middle Tennessee knotted things up in the next frame, tying the contest at 2-2. Once again, the home team took the lead, collecting the go-ahead run in the bottom of the third with an RBI double off the bat of third baseman Josh Pankratz.
The Blue Raiders bounced back in the fourth, scratching two runs across to recapture the lead at 4-3. They then added an insurance run in the fifth to take a 5-3 advantage. Both sides traded three innings of scoreless pitching before the Golden Eagles made a move.
In the bottom of the eighth and with two outs, Pankratz got a small rally going by getting hit by a pitch and reaching base. After working a full count, sophomore Anthony El Chibani singled to left field, putting two runners on for leadoff man Tyler Brazelton.
The two base runners moved to second and third on passed ball, setting up Brazelton for a heroic, two-run single to left field on a 3-2 count. Just like that, the Golden Eagles had tied things up headed for the ninth.
Each side traded a scoreless frame before the Blue Raiders found a way to squeak two runs in in the top of the 10th, taking a two-run lead they would hold on to for victory.
Brazelton was the lead man for the Golden Eagles in the loss, collecting three hits in five trips to the plate as well as a game-high three RBI. Both Jake Farr and El Chibani each secured multiple-hit contests as well, picking up two base knocks each.
Tennessee Tech will now prepare for a crucial road series at Ohio Valley Conference opponent Southeast Missouri this weekend, with the two squads kicking off the first contest Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. CT.
Photo by Jim Dillon