By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
Tennessee Tech Baseball Weekend Preview (5/18)
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – For the final time in 2016, the Tennessee Tech baseball team will take the friendly confines of Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex, kicking off a pivotal, three-game Ohio Valley Conference series with Eastern Kentucky Thursday evening at 3 p.m. CT.
The three-game slate enters the weekend with the most playoff implications in the league, with both the Golden Eagles and Colonels squaring off for a spot in the OVC Tournament next week. While there are several different scenarios that could lead to a bid to the league's postseason event for Golden Eagles, the simplest of them all is three wins and their in.
The Golden Eagles are coming off a midweek victory over UNC Asheville Tuesday afternoon, not to mention an impressive series win over in-state rival Belmont over the weekend. The Colonels dropped 2-of-3 contests at Murray State last week, falling back into a tie with the Racers for seventh place in the standings, just one game back of Tech.
Freshman sensation Kevin Strohschein will match-up against EKU's Mandy Alvarez in what could very well be a battle for top billing as the OVC Player of the Year. Strohschein ranks second in the OVC with a .401 average, .715 slugging percentage, and 83 hits and in the top five in runs scored (53), doubles (20), and home runs (13). His team-high 68 RBI not only leads the league, but also ranks the outfielder third nationally.
Alvarez leads the the OVC with a .411 average and 92 hits and also ranks in the top five slugging percentage (.647), RBI (55), and total bases (145).
The series continues Friday evening with a 6 p.m. tilt and is set to conclude with Senior Day Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. With impending weather expected in the area this weekend, fans are encouraged to check TTUSports.com and Tech baseball's twitter, @TNTech_Baseball, for updates on any game time changes.
Fans can follow the action live on the OVC Digital Network with Dylan Vazzano on the call.
Tennessee Tech (28-22, 14-13) vs. Eastern Kentucky (24-28, 13-14)
Twitter: @TNTech_Baseball | Facebook: TTU Sports | Instagram: TTUGoldenEagles
Thursday, May 19, 3:00 pm | Cookeville, Tenn. | Bush Stadium (1,100) | STATS | VIDEO
TTU Michael Wood (RHP)
4-3 | 3.72 ERA | 58.0 IP | 60 K
vs.
EKU Alex Hamilton (LHP)
4-5 | 6.30 ERA | 70.0 IP | 66 K
Thursday, May 19, 6:00 pm | Cookeville, Tenn. | Bush Stadium (1,100) | STATS | VIDEO
TTU Jake Usher (RHP)
3-0 | 4.12 ERA | 43.2 IP | 52 K
vs.
EKU Eric Nerl (RHP)
6-4 | 5.15 ERA | 73.1 IP | 45 K
Saturday, May 21, 2:00 pm | Cookeville, Tenn. | Bush Stadium (1,100) | STATS | VIDEO
TTU TBA
- | - ERA | - IP | - K
vs.
TTU TBA
- | - ERA | - IP | - K
* all starters listed are probable and subject to change
SERIES HISTORY vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
Overall: EKU leads, 79-76-2
First Meeting: 1946 | EKU 8, TTU 7 | Unknown
Last Meeting: May 16, 2015 | TTU 10, EKU 2 | Richmond, Ky.
TENNESSEE TECH GOLDEN EAGLES
2016 Record: 28-22
2016 OVC Record: 14-13 (6th)
Head Coach: Matt Bragga
TTU: 349-357-2 (13th season)
Career: Same
Since 2008: 277-220-2
STATS LEADERS
AVG: Kevin Strohschein (.401)
2B: Kevin Strohschein (20)
3B: David Garza / Kevin Strohschein (3)
HR: Kevin Strohschein (13)
RBI: Kevin Strohschein (68)
R: Kevin Strohschein (53)
BB: Alex Junior (29)
SB: Alex Junior (11)
EASTERN KENTUCKY COLONELS
2016 Record: 24-28
2016 OVC Record: 13-14 (T-7th)
Head Coach: Edwin Thompson
EKU: 24-28 (1st season)
Career: 61-61 (3rd season)
STATS LEADERS
AVG: Mandy Alvarez (.411)
2B: Shea Sullivan (14)
3B: Shea Sullivan (3)
HR: Kyle Nowlin (19)
RBI: Kyle Nowlin (56)
R: Cole Warrenfeltz (47)
BB: Kyle Nowlin (50)
SB: Shea Sullivan (11)
Photo by Jim Dillon
