By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – An explosive sixth inning proved to be more than enough for the Tennessee Tech baseball team to claim its fourth straight Ohio Valley Conference victory Thursday evening, as the Golden Eagles (11-9, 4-3) racked up 20 hits on their way to a 13-3 win at SIUE (3-15, 1-6).
Tech kicked off the action in the first inning with an RBI single up the middle from senior Jake Farr, taking an early 1-0 lead. The Cougars answered in the bottom half, using a ground out with a runner on third to knot things at 1-1.
In the top of the third, the Golden Eagles jumped back out in front, using an RBI single to right center field off the bat of sophomore Ryan Flick to make it 2-1. Once again, the home team matched the Tech output, scoring a single run in the bottom of the fourth inning. SIUE then used a solo home run from Keaton Wright to take its first lead of the game at 3-2.
And then the sixth inning happened.
Sophomore Trevor Putzig kicked off the frame, working a full count before ripping a leadoff single to left field. The Cougars managed a quick out to the next batter, but a follow-up single from David Garza and five-pitch walk from Alex Junior loaded the bases for junior Tyler Brazelton. The Tech veteran smacked a grounder to second base, but the infielder misfired trying for a double play, allowing everyone to remain safe and Putzig to score the game-tying run.
Tech was far from done there, however, as Farr took his turn at the dish with the bases juiced. He promptly ripped a single to left field, scoring two more runs and give the Golden Eagles a 5-3 advantage. Two pitches later, sophomore Chase Chambers crowded the zone enough to get plunked by a pitch and reload the bases for Flick.
The slugger responded by crushing a two-run single to left field, jumping the Tech lead up to 7-3. The offense still had plenty left in the tank, as catcher Chris Brown notched his own single, a flare to right field that packed the bags for Putzig. The youngster put a charge into a ball that couldn't quite leave the park, but it proved enough to drive in the team's sixth run of the inning on a sacrifice fly.
Freshman Kevin Strohschein took his turn in at the dish next, fighting for eight pitches before pile driving a double to right field that drove in another Tech run. Two more runs dented home plate in the following plate appearance, as Garza reached on the Cougar's second error of the inning, a miscue by the shortstop.
The two markers left the Golden Eagles with an insurmountable 11-3 lead and a nine-run inning that featured six hits.
The Golden Eagles produced two more tickers on the scoreboard in the top of the ninth, plating single runs with an RBI single from Putzig and another RBI base hit from Garza.
Pitching played a large role in the Golden Eagle victory as well, as Chase Burkett tossed six innings while allowing just three runs, two of which were earned. The junior walked none and fanned two while picking up his second victory of the season.
Freshman Marcus Evey covered the next two frames for the Golden Eagles, scattering two hits while striking out three. Fellow rookie Levi Wright finished things off in the ninth, punching out two more SIUE batters to give the Tech squad the 13-3 victory.
Farr and Flick each finished 3-for-5 on the night with three RBI, leading the offensive charge for the visitors. Putzig drove in two on a 2-for-5 performance while Brazelton scored three runs while hitting 2-for-4. Each Tech starter managed at least one hit in the contest, pounding out a season-high 20 base knocks.
Game two of the series is set for a 6 p.m. start Friday evening with senior Trevor Maloney taking the hill for the Golden Eagles.
Photo by Jim Dillon
