By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – A late, ninth-inning rally proved no match for the Tennessee Tech baseball team Tuesday afternoon, as the Golden Eagles (12-5) held on to edge Illinois State (4-9) by a final score of 4-3 in the first contest of a two-game midweek series match-up.
Pitching was key on the somewhat frigid day, with temperatures of just above freezing playing a major role on the bats throughout the contest.
Freshman starter Devin Lancaster was an absolute beast on the hill for Tech, allowing just a single earned run in seven complete innings of work. After walking the first batter of the contest, the rookie made quick and easy work of the Redbird offense, facing the minimum until the seventh frame.
Lancaster scattered four hits in his seven innings of mastery, using just 86 pitches to eventually earn his second victory of the season. The right-hander also struck out seven Illinois State batters and induced two double plays, including an incredible diving effort from center fielder Alex Junior. The swift-footed sophomore corralled the ball and doubled up a Redbird base runner at second to end the fifth.
Tech provided its young hurler with an early 1-0 lead as sophomore Kevin Strohschein cracked an RBI double to right field to drive in Junior, who led off the game by beating out a chopper to third base.
Junior shortstop David Garza doubled the Golden Eagle advantage in the fifth, driving in senior Matt Jones on a ground out to shortstop. Jones led off the frame with a double to left center field.
Insurance runs in the seventh and eighth frames gave Tech a 4-1 advantage heading into the ninth, with Junior using an RBI double to left center field for one marker and senior Chris Brown driving in the other on an RBI double to left field.
The Redbirds made a stand in the top of the ninth, gathering a single to start the frame. After a fielder's choice and Ty King strikeout provided Tech with two outs, the Golden Eagles showed some vulnerability. Illinois State took a free runner after a hit-by-pitch and then saw both runners on base advance on a wild pitch. The visitors then struck gold with a two-run single through the left side, coming within a single run of tying the contest.
Head coach Matt Bragga went to his bullpen to garner the final out, calling upon sophomore closer Ethan Roberts. The youngster proved effective even after a fielding error allowed the tying run to reach second and go-ahead run reach safely. On just four pitches, Roberts dismissed the final Illinois State batter of the inning, punching out the Redbird for his third save of the season.
Offensively, Jones and Junior both racked up multi-hit efforts, with Junior finishing 2-for-2 with a run scored, an RBI and two sacrifice bunts. Jones scored twice for Tech.
The two teams will square off the series final Wednesday afternoon, starting with a 3 p.m. CT first pitch at Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex.
Photo by Tony Marable
