No. 21 Golden Eagles to visit Western Kentucky, Alabama A&M in midweek contests

No. 21 Golden Eagles to visit Western Kentucky, Alabama A&M in midweek contests

By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information

Tennessee Tech Baseball Midweek Preview (4/16)

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 21 nationally-ranked Tennessee Tech baseball team will conclude its five-game road swing during the week, making midweek trips to Western Kentucky and Alabama A&M. The Golden Eagles will look to extend their winning streak to 21 straight games on Tuesday against the Hilltoppers in a 5 p.m. CT tilt. Tech will then head south to Huntsville, Ala. for a 3 p.m. match-up with the Bulldogs.

The Golden Eagle offense has continued its record-setting pace in 2018, leading the nation in batting average (.361), doubles (99), doubles per game (2.91), hits (464), home runs (82), home runs per game (2.41), on base percentage (.457), runs (393), scoring (11.6), slugging percentage (.646) and win/loss percentage (.853). The Golden Eagles also rank sixth in base on balls (209).

Several Tech players rank among the national leaders in several categories as well:

Batting Average Hits - Kevin Strohschein (7th), Brennon Kaleiwahea (9th)
Hits - Kevin Strohschein (2nd)
Hits Per Game - Kevin Strohschein (2nd)
Home Runs - John Ham (9th), Trevor Putzig (9th)
Home Runs Per Game - Trevor Putzig (5th), John Ham (8th)
RBI - John Ham (3rd), Trevor Putzig (3rd), Chase Chambers (7th)
RBI Per Game - Trevor Putzig (2nd), John Ham (4th), Chase Chambers (8th)
Runs - Alex Junior (1st), Chase Chambers (4th), John Ham (4th), Trevor Putzig (9th)
Runs Per Game - Alex Junior (1st), John Ham (3rd), Chase Chambers (4th), Trevor Putzig (5th)
Sacrifice Flies - Trevor Putzig (3rd)
Slugging Percentage - John Ham (4th), Kevin Strohschein (10th)
Total Bases - Kevin Strohschein (1st), John Ham (6th)
Victories - Travis Moths (5th)

Tennessee Tech (29-5) at Western Kentucky (17-18) – Tuesday, Apr. 17, 5:00 PM | Bowling Green, Ky. | Nick Denes Field (1,500) | STATS 
Tennessee Tech (29-5) at Alabama A&M (2-17) – Wednesday, Apr. 18, 3:00 PM | Huntsville, Ala. | Bulldog Field (500) | STATS

Twitter: @TNTech_Baseball | Facebook: /TennesseeTechBaseball | Instagram: TNTech_Baseball

TENNESSEE TECH GOLDEN EAGLES
2018 Record: 29-5
2018 OVC Record: 17-1 (1st)
Head Coach: Matt Bragga
TTU: 422-385-2 (15th Season)
Career: 547-479-2 (19th Season)
Since 2008: 309-227-2 

STATS LEADERS
AVG: Kevin Strohschein (.419)
2B: Kevin Strohschein (14)
3B: John Ham (3)
HR: John Ham / Trevor Putzig (12)
RBI: John HamTrevor Putzig (46)
R: Alex Junior (54)
BB: Chase Chambers / Trevor Putzig (29)
SB: Trevor Putzig (5)
ERA: Ethan Roberts (2.37)
W: Travis Moths (7)
APP: Ethan Roberts (12)
IP: Travis Moths (49.2)
K: Travis Moths (54)
SV: Ethan Roberts (7)

WESTERN KENTUCKY HILLTOPPERS
2018 Record: 17-18
2018 CUSA Record: 7-8 (7th)
Head Coach: John Pawlowski
WKU: 57-87 (3rd Season)
Career: 562-405 (17th Season)

STATS LEADERS
AVG: Steven Kraft (.367)
2B: Colin Butkiewicz / Steven Kraft (7)
3B: Jacob Rhinesmith / Ray Zuberer III (3)
HR: Jacob Rhinesmith (10)
RBI: Jacob Rhinesmith (30)
R: Jacob Rhinesmith (36)
BB: Ray Zuberer III (21)
SB: Jacob Rhinesmith (10)
ERA: Conner Boyd (1.62)
W: Paul Kirkpatrick (4)
APP: Conner Boyd (17)
IP: Ryan Thurston (54.1)
K: Ryan Thurston (61)
SV: Ben Morrison (7)

ALABAMA A&M BULLDOGS
2018 Record: 7-30
2018 SWAC Record: 4-14 (4th East)
Head Coach: Mitch Hill
AAMU: 58-149 (4th Season)
Career: Same

STATS LEADERS
AVG: Dalton Mitchell (.344)
2B: Dalton Mitchell (8)
3B: 4 players tied (2)
HR: Tyus O'Neal-El (4)
RBI: Carson McGregory (22)
R: Jonathan Smith II (22)
BB: JT O'Reel / Carlton Peppers (14)
SB: Carlton Peppers (7)
ERA: Jaret Britt (5.66)
W: Jaret Britt / Jalen Pearson (2)
APP: Jose Figueroa (18)
IP: Jaret Britt (55.2)
K: Jose Figueroa (25)
SV: Jose Figueroa / JT O'Reel (1)

Photo by Tony Marable