By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – In the midst of the longest winning streak in program history, the Tennessee Tech baseball team has earned its highest national ranking ever and first since last season.
Collegiate Baseball newspaper has listed the Golden Eagles as the No. 25 ranked team in Division baseball as of Apr. 8, 2018, one spot higher than its ranking of Tech nearly a full calendar year ago. The Golden Eagle squad also earned a No. 30 ranking by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA), the team's first appearance in the poll in program history. Additionally, Tech was among those teams receiving votes in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll.
The Golden Eagles own the nation's longest active winning streak, claiming 16 straight victories, including a 4-0 mark last week that included a three-game sweep of Ohio Valley Conference rival Jacksonville State. Tech sits 25-5 on the year with a 14-1 mark in league play, both program records through the same amount of games.
The Tech program boasts arguably the best offense in the nation, leading the country in batting average (.353), doubles per game (2.83), hits (394), home runs (67), home runs per game (2.23), on base percentage (.448), runs (332), scoring (11.1), slugging percentage (.625) and win/loss percentage (.833). The Golden Eagles also rank third in doubles (85) and 11th in base on balls (181).
Several Tech players rank among the national leaders in several categories as well:
Hits - Kevin Strohschein (3rd)
Hits Per Game - Kevin Strohschein (2nd)
RBI - Trevor Putzig (6th)
RBI Per Game - Trevor Putzig (2nd)
Runs - Alex Junior (2nd), Chase Chambers (7th),
Runs Per Game - Alex Junior (1st), Chase Chambers (7th), John Ham (8th)
Sacrifice Flies - Trevor Putzig (2nd)
Slugging Percentage - John Ham (5th)
Total Bases - Kevin Strohschein (4th)
Victories - Travis Moths (8th)
Tech will look to continue its winning streak rolling with a midweek match-up with in-state rival Middle Tennessee on Wednesday, Apr. 11. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. CT.
