By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – There was no back-and-forth action at Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex Sunday afternoon, as the Tennessee Tech baseball team came out swinging in the final contest of a three-game series against Miami (Ohio), defeating the RedHawks by a final score of 10-6.
The Golden Eagles (5-5) wasted no time making their presence felt in the series finale, collecting a quick, 1-0 lead on the RedHawks (5-4) without even recording a hit. After being hit with the fifth pitch of the game, junior Tyler Brazelton stole second base. He advanced to third on a balk by Miami starter Zach Spears and dented home plate on a ground out by sophomore Chase Chambers.
One inning later, Tech turned up the heat as sophomore Ryan Flick ripped the first pitch he saw to center field for a base knock. Third baseman Matt Jones followed up with a double off the center fielder's outstretched glove, putting two runners in scoring position for senior Jake Farr.
The veteran immediately laid down a sacrifice bunt to drive in Flick, and – with such a precise placement down the first base line – beat out the throw at first for an infield single. The very next pitch also resulted in a Tech score as senior catcher Connor Goodspeed laid down his own sacrifice bunt, driving in Jones from third and advancing Farr to second. Tech's lead after two read 3-0 on the scoreboard, and the team wasn't even close to done.
In the bottom of the third, the Golden Eagles became relentless as Chambers single through the right side with one out. Miami managed to record a quick second out before things began to unravel for the visitors from the north. On a full count, Flick chopped a single through the left side, setting up Jones for more heroics.
The junior laced a double just inside the right field line, driving in both runs that had advanced earlier in the at bat on a wild pitch. Farr kept the Tech momentum rolling, ripping a single to left center field for another RBI. Goodspeed followed by garnering a four-pitch walk and forcing a pitching visit at the mound.
The RedHawks decided to stay put with its southpaw with the left-handed swinging Alex Junior coming to the plate. The redshirt freshman made sure to make them regret the decision, crushing a 2-2 offering to left center field for a two-run double to give the Golden Eagles a dominating 8-0 advantage.
Tech hurler Evan Fraliex cruised through the first four innings of the contest, racking up a career-high seven strikeouts while scattering three hits. The junior ran into a little trouble in the fifth frame, allowing a leadoff home run and an eventual sacrifice fly before loading the bases. With three on, Michael Wood came on in relief, ending a strong showing by the Tech starter.
RedHawk Dallas Hall snapped a double that just barely snuck its way inside the left field foul line, driving in two more runs for the visiting squad. Wood cut off the Miami attack, however, forcing a fly out to end the inning and leave Tech with an 8-4 lead.
The Golden Eagle offense answered in the bottom half of the fifth, plating two in the frame. Junior drove in the first marker, singling to center field. Brazelton then followed with a sacrifice bunt to first base that allowed Goodspeed to cross the plate and leave the Golden Eagles with a strong, 10-4 advantage.
Wood covered the next three innings for the Golden Eagles, allowing just two hits, including a solo home run, while also striking out three batters. Farr closed things out to give Tech the victory, serving up a solo homer before forcing a pop up to third base as the final out of the contest.
Wood took home his second victory as a Golden Eagle, moving his record to 2-0 on the year while Spears took the loss for the RedHawks.
Junior led the Tech offense on the day, going 2-for-4 with three RBI. Both Farr and Jones also tallied multiple runs driven in, with Farr collecting hits in each of his two official at bats. Flick, Jones, Farr and Goodspeed all scored twice in the contest. As a team, the Golden Eagles stood strong in the batter's box, getting hit by a total of four pitches.
The Golden Eagles will return to action at Bush Stadium Tuesday afternoon, playing host to in-state rival Lipscomb with a 3 p.m. tilt.
Photo by Rob Schabert, Assistant A.D. for Sports Information
