By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – A pitcher's duel at the beginning and slugfest at the end. That's the best way to describe the battle that took place at Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex Friday afternoon and evening, as the Tennessee Tech baseball team outlasted in-state rival Lipscomb, 14-11.
It was almost like watching two games, one with strong pitching and defense, and one with pure, high-octane offense. The Golden Eagles (6-5) claimed their eighth straight victory over the Bisons (9-4) in Cookeville, dating back to the 2010 season, by relying on a never-quit attitude that has led several comeback victories, as well as three one-run losses.
Things started off in favor of the home team, as starter Trevor Maloney struck out two of the first three batters he faced and catcher Chris Brown nabbed a runner trying to steal in the second inning, both to hold Lipscomb scoreless through two.
In the bottom half, Tech let the offense go to work, receiving a leadoff single from Chase Chambers. The sophomore advanced to second on a throwing error and made his way to third base on a single to center field by fellow sophomore Ryan Flick. Two batters later, Flick took a spot on second base thanks to a wild pitch, setting up Brown for some early fanfare.
The switch-hitting junior ripped a single through the right side, driving in both Chambers and Flick, to give the Golden Eagles the early 2-0 advantage.
Maloney continue to cruise, keeping the Bisons off the scoreboard through the first five innings while striking out three batters. On the other side, Adam Stewart calmed down to shutout the Tech offense for a couple of frames, before the offense came alive again in the bottom of the fifth.
Brown took a 1-1 offering to right center field for a single and junior Tyler Brazelton followed that up by getting plunked with the first pitch he saw. Both runners advanced a base on a wild pitch, setting up redshirt freshman Alex Junior for an RBI single to right field. The speedster wasted no time reaching second, swiping the bag on the first pitch to sophomore David Garza.
Two pitches later, Garza laid down a sacrifice bunt, driving in Brazelton. He reached first safely after the throw from Stewart hit him in the back of the leg, but a heads-up play by Bisons first baseman Adam Lee caught Junior attempting to slide back into third base after rounding the bag. Still, even after a second out two strikes later, Chambers came to the plate and kept the inning flowing, lacing a ball down the right field line to drive in Garza. The svelte slugger put himself into overdrive, reaching third base for his first career triple and collecting his second hit of the day.
Lipscomb flipped the switch in the sixth inning, showing off a new found patience at the plate to coax two walks on full counts. Left fielder Von Watson followed with a double down the right field line, chasing Maloney after a solid five innings pitched with just four hits allowed.
The Bisons finished with three in the frame, cutting the Tech lead to 5-3. But Tech wasn't ready to quiet down just yet.
The Golden Eagles match their fifth-inning production with another three-spot in the sixth, taking advantage of a wild pitch that allowed leadoff hitter Kevin Strohschein to reach first base on a strikeout. A sacrifice bunt by junior Matt Jones seemed destined to produce an out, until Lipscomb tried to throw Strohschein out at second to no avail, resulting in both men safe at their respective bases.
Brown made the visitors pay for the decision, ripping a single off the wall in left center field to drive in a run. A walk to Brazelton ended the day for Stewart, prompting a match-up between Zach Shirey and Alex Junior. The youngster didn't need to do much but take pitches as Shirey struggled with a wild pitch and balk that brought two runners home. He then issued a free pass to Junior. The Lipscomb defense managed to end the inning unscathed the rest of the way, but the three runs bumped the Tech lead back up to five at 8-3.
The Bisons snagged a quick run in the seventh, a solo shot to left center field by Hunter Hanks. And then the fireworks really began to erupt.
Lipscomb first baseman Adam Lee led off the top of the eighth by garnering a walk. Eight batters, five runs and just one out later, he earned his second free pass of the inning, this time driving in a run with the bases-loaded. Freshman Marcus Evey came on in relief for the Golden Eagles, forcing a double play ball on his second pitch. Garza and Farr turned it perfectly, ending the inning.
But the damage had been done. With the six runs, the Bisons had jumped out to a 10-8 lead.
No matter. It simply meant it was Tech's turn to go nuts.
A strikeout of the first man up had the Lipscomb dugout fired up to kick off the bottom half, but, once again, Brown punished the 'other' team in purple and gold. Tech's catcher worked a full count before earning a walk and bringing a little momentum back to the home side of the field.
Tyler Brazelton then secured the rest on his third offering at the dish. The veteran punished a 1-1 pitch like they write about, clubbing a two-run bombzini to left field to tie the game and hit the reset button at 10-10. A new pitcher for the Bisons couldn't help after the long ball, as Junior collected his second walk of the game. The speed demon snagged second on a wild pitch and then just slid in ahead of a throw at third on another one.
Turned out not to matter, however, as Garza watched the next four pitches miss their mark. Cue another pitched change. That still didn't help as Jake Farr was plunked with the second pitch to set the table for Chambers. And his appetite was just starting to kick in.
A third pitching change in the inning still provided no luck for the Bisons. Jamie Young caught Chambers looking at the first pitch to get ahead, but gave it right back with a ball outside the zone. He forced the Tech masher to watch a second breaking ball catch the corner for a strike and go ahead 1-2 in the count.
And then he offered again. The ball never stood a chance as Chambers sent a colossal, up-to-the-moon-and-back, I'll-bring-the-cheese-and-crackers, freshly-sliced grand salami clear over the scoreboard in right field to give the Golden Eagles a 14-10 lead and send every single Golden Eagle fan, not to mention the home dugout, into an absolute frenzy.
After the mayhem ceased, one final change on the mound did the trick for the Bisons, as Dallas Gibson came on to record the final two outs and give his team one last chance at making things interesting.
And like a good rivalry game would have it, things did indeed become intriguing.
Pinch-hitter Tyler Bethune collected a lead-off walk, prompting Tech head coach Matt Bragga to call to his bullpen one final time and send out senior Josh Pankratz to finish things off. Allan Hooker managed a double to left field to put runners on second and third, but Tech's right-handed hurler knuckled down to catch Chucky Vazquez at a called third strike for the first out.
Zeke Dodson set a fly ball to right field to drive in one run, but the second out put a damper on the result. Pankratz closed things out three pitches later, literally, forcing Hanks into a pop-up in foul territory to Chambers.
Pankratz earned his first career save with the inning of work while Evey took home his first career victory.
Chambers kept his fiery start to the season rolling, falling just a double shy of the cycle while driving in a game-high five runs on a 3-for-5 effort. He also scored twice. Brown tacked on three RBI in the effort, finishing 3-for-4 with three runs scored and a walk.
Junior swiped a career-high two bases, and took advantage of two walks while holding down the leadoff spot for Tech. Brazelton and Garza each scored twice on the day as well.
The Golden Eagles will hit the road next, kicking off Ohio Valley Conference play Friday afternoon with a 2 p.m. CT tilt at Morehead State. Tech will take on its league rival in a three-game set before visiting Kennesaw State next Tuesday at 4 p.m.
Photo by Jim Dillon