By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
RALEIGH, N.C. – An early deficit proved too much for the Tennessee Tech baseball team to overcome Sunday, as the Golden Eagles fell to No. 12 nationally-ranked NC State in the series finale in Raleigh, N.C., 15-1.
The Wolfpack (7-0) opened an 11-0 advantage over the first three frames, starting with a single run in the first. A three-spot in the second and seven more markers in the third left the Golden Eagles (3-3) with a significant hole they just couldn't climb out of.
NC State starter Chris Villaman controlled the pace, tossing four no-hit innings before being pulled after a predetermined pitch count. With Villaman off the hill in the fifth, Tech took advantage, securing not only its first hit, but its first three.
Senior Cody Littlejohn led off the frame with a single to left-center field, followed by a double down the left-field line by junior Paul Steffensen. A double-play ball put two outs on the board, but freshman Elijah Brooks still managed to get the Golden Eagles in the scoring column, ripping an RBI single to left field.
It proved to be all the offense Tech would muster while the Wolfpack collected four more runs in the sixth to put up the final score of 15-1.
Tech junior Jason Hinchman led the purple and gold with a pair of base hits in the contest. Littlejohn, Steffensen and Brooks provided the other offensive successes for the Golden Eagles.
On the hill, senior Jacob Cole tossed two and one-third scoreless frames in relief with just two baserunners allowed. Junior Grant Phillips posted a pair of scoreless innings as well to end the day.
The Golden Eagles will return to action Tuesday, making a trip north to Lexington to take on Kentucky in a 3:00 p.m. CT tilt.
Photo by Jaylynn Nash