By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – The Tennessee Tech baseball team was left stunned Friday evening, as SIUE scored twice in the bottom of the ninth to flip the lead right around and claim a 5-4, walk-off victory in the second game of the two teams' Ohio Valley Conference series.
The Golden Eagles (11-10, 4-4) and Cougars (4-15, 2-6) traded blows all night in a contest that featured three ties and three lead changes. The comeback victory by the home squad evened up the series after Tech claimed a 13-3 victory in the opener Thursday night.
SIUE took the early 2-0 advantage on the night, scoring twice in the bottom of the second off a double to left field and ground ball out to shortstop. The Golden Eagles answered immediately, knotting up the score at 2-2 thanks to senior Jake Farr.
After redshirt freshman Alex Junior singled to shortstop with two outs and stole second, and junior Tyler Brazelton drew a five-pitch walk, Farr took his turn with the sticks. The second baseman watched one ball miss its mark before turning on the next offering and lacing a double to right center field and driving in both Junior and Brazelton.
The Cougars recaptured its advantage in the bottom half, using a single up the middle to take the 3-2 lead. Once again, the Golden Eagles matched their opponent in the next half inning, this time even quicker than the first time.
On just the second pitch of the fourth, junior catcher Chris Brown clobbered a solo shot to even things at 3-3. The JUCO transfer went right back to work in the top of the sixth, taking advantage of a runner on third. Sophomore Ryan Flick ripped a double to center field and advanced to third on a passed ball, setting up his teammate for an RBI opportunity. Brown then blasted a sacrifice to center field, giving Tech a 4-3 lead.
Both sides cruised over the next three innings, with the Cougars taking to the plate with just three outs left to make a difference. The home team took its opportunity, tying the game with a single up the middle before a bases-loaded single to right field provided a walk-off victory.
Brendan Miller took the victory for SIUE while senior hurler Kyle Godwin was handed his first loss of the season.
Tech freshman right-hander Ethan Roberts put together another stellar relief appearance on the day, tossing four and one thirds innings and scattering just two hits and a walk over that span. He also set down seven Cougar batters on strikes.
Offensively, Farr and Brown each collected two RBI while Junior led the way with two hits as well as his fifth stolen base of the year.
The rubber match of the series between the Golden Eagles and Cougars is set for a 1 p.m. CT first pitch Saturday afternoon in Edwardsville, Ill. with Michael Wood making his first career start.
Photo by Jim Dillon
