By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
Tennessee Tech Baseball Weekend Preview (4/6)
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech baseball team will look to keep its perfect mark in Ohio Valley Conference play clean this weekend, as the Golden Eagles head south for a three-game clash with rival Jacksonville State starting Friday at 6 p.m. CT.
Games two and three of the series each are set for first pitches of 1 p.m., weather permitting, at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala. The Gamecocks are calling the ballpark, which will also host the OVC Tournament for the first time this season, as Rudy Abbott Field undergoes renovations during the 2017 season.
Fans are encouraged to follow social media and the TTUsports.com website for updates concerning start times and delays due to weather.
Tennessee Tech (24-7, 12-0) at Jacksonville State (15-11, 4-5)
Twitter: @TNTech_Baseball | Facebook: TTU Sports | Instagram: TTUGoldenEagles
PROBABLE STARTING ROTATION
Friday, Apr. 7, 6:00 pm | Oxford, Ala. | Choccolocco Park (1,200) | STATS
TTU Michael Wood (RHP)
6-1 | 5.19 ERA | 43.1 IP | 38 K | 10 BB
vs.
JSU Derrick Adams (LHP)
1-2 | 6.17 ERA | 35.0 IP | 37 K | 23 BB
Saturday, Apr. 8, 1:00 pm | Oxford, Ala. | Choccolocco Park (1,200) | STATS
TTU Jake Usher (RHP)
1-1 | 6.34 ERA | 32.2 IP | 35 K | 13 BB
vs.
JSU Colton Pate (RHP)
1-3 | 4.32 ERA | 33.1 IP | 34 K | 16 BB
Sunday, Apr. 9, 1:00 pm | Oxford, Ala. | Choccolocco Park (1,200) | STATS
TTU Chase Burkett (RHP)
4-1 | 4.91 ERA | 36.2 IP | 20 K | 10 BB
vs.
JSU Joe McGuire (RHP)
4-0 | 2.15 ERA | 29.1 IP | 26 K | 8 BB
SERIES HISTORY
Overall: JSU leads, 35-23
First Meeting: 1980 | JSU 8, TTU 6 | Location Unknown
Last Meeting: Apr. 17, 2017 | JSU 15, TTU 14 | Cookeville, Tenn.
TENNESSEE TECH GOLDEN EAGLES
2017 Record: 24-7
2017 OVC Record: 12-0 (1st)
Head Coach: Matt Bragga
TTU: 377-366-2 (14th season)
Career: 504-460-2 (18th season)
Since 2008: 305-229-2
TEAM STATS (National Rank)
AVG: .317 (12)
H: 358 (1)
2B: 70 (8)
3B: 6 (123)
HR: 49 (4)
R: 273 (2)
R/G: 8.8 (2)
SLG%: .519 (6)
OB%: .395 (32)
BB: 119 (92)
HBP: 37 (29)
SB: 32 (82)
ERA: 4.95 (171)
WIN%: .774 (14)
K/9: 9.1 (37)
SH/O: 3 (34)
FLD%: .980 (17)
BATTING LEADERS (National Rank)
AVG: Ryan Flick / Trevor Putzig – .380 (9/10)
H: Ryan Flick – 46 (23)
2B: Ryan Flick – 17 (2)
3B: Chase Chambers – 2 (81)
HR: Collin Harris – 10 (13)
RBI: Chase Chambers – 36 (13)
R: Alex Junior – 40 (2)
SLG%: Ryan Flick – .694 (26)
OB%: Ryan Flick – .465 (94)
BB: Ryan Flick – 20 (112)
HBP: Chase Chambers – 12 (5)
SB: Alex Junior / Collin Harris – 9 (98/98)
Toughest to K: Trevor Putzig – 16.7 AB/K (20)
PITCHING LEADERS
ERA: Devin Lancaster – 4.68 (NR)*
WINS: Michael Wood – 6 (1)
APP: Ethan Roberts – 11 (NR)
IP: Michael Wood – 43.1 (NA)
K: Michael Wood – 38 (NR)
SV: Ethan Roberts – 8 (11)
*1.0 inning pitched per team game played
JACKSONVILLE STATE GAMECOCKS
2017 Record: 15-11
2017 OVC Record: 4-5 (T-6th)
Head Coach: Jim Case
JSU: 500-413 (16th season)
Career: Same
BATTING LEADERS
AVG: Andrew Naismith – .329
H: Clayton Daniel – 33
2B: Trent Simpson – 9
3B: Taylor Hawthorne – 3
HR: Trent Simpson – 6
RBI: Trent Simpson – 29
R: Clayton Daniel – 21
BB: Nolan Greckel – 23
SB: Clayton Daniel – 4
PITCHING LEADERS
ERA: Joe McGuire – 2.15*
WINS: Joe McGuire – 4
APP: Three players tied – 11
IP: Derrick Adams – 35.0
K: Derrick Adams – 37
SV: Justin Hoyt – 3
*1.0 inning pitched per team game played
Photo by Tony Marable