By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The long ball and a brilliant effort from the bullpen led the Tennessee Tech baseball team to a 7-1 victory over North Alabama Tuesday evening, securing a season-sweep of the Lions after two games.
The Golden Eagles (13-17) were led by veteran outfielders Kevin Strohschein and Anthony Carrera in their offensive efforts, with the two using their power to provide some fireworks.
In the third, it was the All-American, Strohschein, who kicked off the scoring, crushing a two-run shot over the Quillen Field sign in left field to provide a 2-0 Tech lead over the Lions (7-25). The home run represented his sixth of the year and 53rd of his career.
Two innings later, it was Carrera's turn to round the bases. After catcher Jack Schad was hit by a pitch and junior Cody Littlejohn reached on a bunt single, the Lions gathered their first out. Carrera then pulverized a 2-1 offering, depositing a moon shot just in front of home plate at Tech Softball Field beyond right field of Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex.
The dinger scored three runs to give Tech a 5-1 edge and marked the left fielder's seventh of the year.
Hunter Higdon provided the last two runs in Tech's day with the bats, lacing a single to center field that drove in both Zell Walker and JD Funk.
On the pitching side of things, five Golden Eagles combined to hold North Alabama to just three hits and one run on the night. Junior Seth Noel made the start for the purple and gold, tossing the first two innings without allowing a run.
Grant Phillips, who earned the victory on the day, covered the next three frames, punching out three without a walk. He surrendered just two hits and a single run. Connor Adams completed the next two innings, without allowing a hit. Tony Curry and Thomas Saliba both struck out two batters each while finishing off the final two frames of the contest.
Tech will continue its eight-game home stand Friday, Apr. 12, kicking off a three-game series against Central Arkansas. Game one of the series is set for a 6:00 p.m. CT first pitch.
Photo by Tony Marable
