By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
Tennessee Tech Baseball Midweek Preview (4/23)
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 20 nationally-ranked Tennessee Tech baseball team hits the road for an in-state match-up with Tennessee Tuesday evening, looking to extend the nation's longest winning streak to 26 straight in a 5:30 p.m. CT match-up in Knoxville.
With inclement weather expected in the Knoxville area throughout the day, fans are encouraged to check social media and the TTUSports.com website for updates concerning the status of Tuesday's game.
Coming off another perfect week, which saw five more victories added to its incredible run, Tech earned more national recognition after claiming spots in the Baseball America and USA Today Coaches polls. The Golden Eagles are currently ranked No. 20 in the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper poll, No. 21 in the Baseball America poll, No. 25 in both the D1Baseball.com and USA Today/ESPN.com Top 25 Coaches' polls and was ranked No. 26 in last week's National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) poll.
This week, senior Chase Chambers and junior Ethan Roberts earned OVC Player and Pitcher of the Week honors, respectively, while senior David Garza earned Collegiate Baseball Newspaper National Player of the Week honors.
The Golden Eagle offense has continued its record-setting pace in 2018, leading the nation in batting average (.358), doubles per game (2.74), hits (526), home runs (95), home runs per game (2.44), on base percentage (.455), runs (448), scoring (11.5), slugging percentage (.645) and win/loss percentage (.872). The Golden Eagles also rank second in doubles (107), fourth in base on balls (240), 12th in triples (15), 13th in triples per game (0.38) and 23rd in strikeouts per nine innings (9.6).
Several Tech players rank among the national leaders in several categories as well:
Batting Average - Kevin Strohschein (7th)
Hits - Kevin Strohschein (2nd)
Hits Per Game - Kevin Strohschein (2nd)
RBI - Chase Chambers (3rd), Trevor Putzig (5th), David Garza (7th)
RBI Per Game - Chase Chambers (3rd), Trevor Putzig (5th), David Garza (8th)
Runs - Alex Junior (1st), Chase Chambers (3rd), David Garza (4th), John Ham (4th)
Runs Per Game - Alex Junior (1st), Chase Chambers (2nd), John Ham (4th), David Garza (5th), Trevor Putzig (7th)
Sacrifice Flies - Trevor Putzig (5th)
Slugging Percentage - John Ham (7th), Kevin Strohschein (8th)
Total Bases - Kevin Strohschein (1st)
Victories - Travis Moths (4th)
#20 Tennessee Tech (34-5) at Tennessee (24-18)
Twitter: @TNTech_Baseball | Facebook: /TennesseeTechBaseball | Instagram: TNTech_Baseball
Tuesday, Apr. 24, 5:30 pm | Knoxville, Tenn. | Lindsey Nelson Stadium (4,283) | STATS | VIDEO | AUDIO
TTU Nic Dye (LHP)
4-1 | 5.09 ERA | 35.1 IP | 26 K | 15 BB
vs.
UT Will Heflin (LHP)
4-1 | 5.08 ERA | 28.1 IP | 23 K | 15 BB
TENNESSEE TECH GOLDEN EAGLES
2018 Record: 34-5
2018 OVC Record: 17-1 (1st)
Head Coach: Matt Bragga
TTU: 427-385-2 (15th Season)
Career: 552-479-2 (19th Season)
Since 2008: 314-227-2
STATS LEADERS
AVG: Kevin Strohschein (.411)
2B: Kevin Strohschein (14)
3B: 4 players tied (3)
HR: 4 players tied (12)
RBI: Chase Chambers (55)
R: Alex Junior (60)
BB: Alex Junior (36)
SB: Collin Harris (5)
ERA: Ethan Roberts (2.04)
W: Travis Moths (8)
APP: Ethan Roberts (14)
IP: Travis Moths (56.2)
K: Travis Moths (63)
SV: Ethan Roberts (9)
TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS
2018 Record: 24-18
2018 SEC Record: 7-11 (7th East)
Head Coach: Tony Vitello
UT: 24-18 (1st Season)
Career: Same
STATS LEADERS
AVG: Justin Ammons (.310)
2B: Benito Santiago (13)
3B: Justin Ammons / Brodie Leftridge (2)
HR: Benito Santiago (6)
RBI: Andre Lipcius (33)
R: Jay Charleston (33)
BB: Pete Derkav (33)
SB: Jay Charleston (15)
ERA: Sean Hunley (1.90)
W: Sean Hunley (6)
APP: Zach Linginfelter / Chase Wallace (13)
IP: Garrett Stallings (65.1)
K: Garrett Crochet (45)
SV: Chase Wallace (3)
Photo by Tony Marable
