By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Both the offense and pitching staff were at their best for the Tennessee Tech baseball team in Huntsville Wednesday afternoon, as the Golden Eagles (15-5) defeated Alabama A&M (5-16) in a rescheduled contest, 17-0.
Originally scheduled for a Tuesday match-up in Cookeville, inclement weather sent the Golden Eagles down to Bulldog Field to face the Bulldogs on their own turf, only this time as the "home" team. Even having to play "home" game on the road couldn't stop the Tech team on Wednesday, however, as Tech worked its sixth straight victory and second shutout of the season.
The reigning Ohio Valley Conference Pitcher of the Week, Alex Hursey, earned his third victory of the season on the day, tossing three innings with three strikeouts and holding the Bulldogs to just three hits and no runs. Six other members of the Tech pitching staff combined to close out the contest and finish the shutout.
Nic Dye, Seth Noel, Grant Phillips, Andrew O'Dwyer, Jacob Parham and Zack Wilcox each tallied an inning of work on the day, scattering seven hits across the way without allowing a walk. The six relievers also combined for eight more strikeouts.
It didn't take long for the Golden Eagles to establish the lead for good, needing just three batters to push the eventual winnings runs across. Leadoff man Alex Junior kicked off the attack with a double to right center field. Two batters later, junior Kevin Strohschein smashed a two-run home run for a 2-run lead.
Strohschein set the bench mark for the Golden Eagle offense on the day, finishing 4-for-6 with three runs, five RBI, a double and two home runs. Also enjoying a big day at the plate was junior Nick Osborne, who drove in four of Tech's 17 runs on the power of a double and a home run.
Senior shortstop David Garza drove in three runs in the contest, finishing two for three with three runs and a walk. Second baseman John Ham had a perfect day at the dish, posting three hits in three at bats with two runs scored and an RBI.
Junior had an effective day leading off, concluding play with three hits in six at bats with a run scored. Also tallying multiple hits on the day were Cody Littlejohn, who finished 2-for-4, and Brennon Kaleiwahea, who smacked on of the team's four home runs as part of a 2-for-3 performance.
In total, Tech tallied 22 hits, the team's third game with at least 20 hits and sixth showing with at least 15 base knocks.
The Golden Eagles will return to Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex Friday, Mar. 23 to kick off a three-game series with OVC rival Austin Peay. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.
Photo by Tony Marable
