By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
Tennessee Tech Baseball Weekend Preview (4/17)
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech baseball team returns to Ohio Valley Conference play with an early weekend series at Southeast Missouri beginning Thursday, Apr. 18 at Capaha Field in Cape Girardeau, Mo.
First pitch of the series opener is slated for 6:00 p.m. CT, as is Friday's game two. The third and final game of the weekend is scheduled for a 2:00 p.m. start on Saturday. With inclement weather expected in the area throughout the weekend, fans are encouraged to check social media and the TTUSports.com website for updates concerning this weekend's schedule.
RECORDS WATCH
All-American outfielder Kevin Strohschein has spent the majority of his senior campaign rewriting the Tech and OVC record books and will look to continue that trend heading into the weekend. Already the Golden Eagles' all-time leader in hits, doubles, and runs scored, the slugger is within spitting distance of several OVC marks.
| Current | OVC Record | Current Leader | School (Years) | |||||
| Hits | 327 | 330 | Clayton Daniel | Jacksonville State (2015-18) | ||||
| Doubles | 64 | 68 | Clayton Daniel | Jacksonville State (2015-18) | ||||
| Home Runs | 56 | 62 | Zach Stephens | Tennessee Tech (2011-14) | ||||
| RBI | 228 | 229 | Zach Stephens | Tennessee Tech (2011-14) | ||||
| Runs | 216 | 241 | Bert Smith | Jacksonville State (2006-10) | ||||
| At Bats | 920 | 975 | Clayton Daniel | Jacksonville State (2015-18) |
ACTIVE CAREER LEADERS
Strohschein ranks as one of the most accomplished hitters, not just in Tech or OVC history, but among all current NCAA Division I players. The McDonough, Ga. native leads all active players in career home runs (56), RBI (228) and total bases (577). He also ranks in the top-five in hits (second with 327), runs (second with 216), at bats (third with 920), doubles (fourth with 64) and slugging percentage (fifth with a mark of .627).
HE'S GOT THE POWER
Sophomore Jason Hinchman has enjoyed a breakout campaign in his first starting role with the purple and gold, leading the OVC in home runs with an eye-popping 16 in 34 games. That's roughly 47 percent of his hits leaving the ball park. It's also good enough to rank the first baseman third nationally in long balls, trailing Tulane's Kody Hoese by just three for a share of the lead.
FRESHMAN FOCUS
Freshman John Dyer has raised many eyebrows in his rookie campaign, ranking as one of the best hitters in the Tech lineup, as well as the league. The Mt. Juliet native leads all OVC freshmen in batting average (.342), doubles (eight), home runs (six), RBI (36) and slugging percentage (.588).
HOME RUN U
The nation's reigning home run champ after smashing an OVC-record 135 dingers a year ago, it took the Golden Eagles a little time to get the bats rolling to start the 2019 campaign. The power is back on it Cookeville, however, as Tech enters the weekend coming off eight round trippers on Tuesday against Alabama A&M, ranking the Golden Eagles sixth nationally and first in the league with 55.
TENNESSEE TECH (15-19, 3-12) at SOUTHEAST MISSOURI (16-21, 6-12)
Twitter: @TNTech_Baseball
Facebook: /TennesseeTechBaseball
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Thursday, Apr. 18, 6:00 pm | Cape Girardeau, Mo. | Capaha Field (2,000) | STATS
Friday, Apr. 19, 6:00 pm | Cape Girardeau, Mo. | Capaha Field (2,000) | STATS
Saturday, Apr. 20, 2:00 pm | Cape Girardeau, Mo. | Capaha Field (2,000) | STATS
TENNESSEE TECH GOLDEN EAGLES
2019 Record: 15-19
2019 OVC Record: 3-12 (11th)
Head Coach: Justin Holmes
TTU: 15-19 (1st Season)
Career: Same
STATS LEADERS
AVG: Kevin Strohschein (.375)
2B: Kevin Strohschein (13)
3B: 4 players tied (1)
HR: Jason Hinchman (16)
RBI: Jason Hinchman (41)
R: Jason Hinchman / Kevin Strohschein (35)
BB: Jason Hinchman (24)
SB: Jason Hogan / Kevin Strohschein (2)
ERA: Jacob Cole (4.84)
W: 5 players tied (2)
APP: 3 players tied (13)
IP: Mark Leonard (41.2)
K: Mark Leonard (45)
SV: Tyler Sylvester (2)
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI REDHAWKS
2019 Record: 16-21
2019 OVC Record: 6-12 (9th)
Head Coach: Andy Sawyers
SEMO: 72-77 (3rd Season)
Career: Same
STATS LEADERS
AVG: Tyler Wilber (.413)
2B: Tyler Wilber (15)
3B: Tyler Wilber (3)
HR: Hunter Southerland (3)
RBI: Tyler Wilber (27)
R: Connor Basler / Tyler Wilber (30)
BB: Tyler Wilber (24)
SB: Connor Basler (15)
ERA: Noah Niznik (2.23)
W: Dylan Dodd / Austin Sachse (4)
APP: Logan Winder (17)
IP: Dylan Dodd (51.1)
K: Dylan Dodd (57)
SV: Aaron Stretch / Logan Winder (2)
Photo by Tony Marable