By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
MOBILE, Ala. – An early rally and patience at the plate propelled the Tennessee Tech baseball team to its second win in as many days to start the 2022 campaign, as the Golden Eagles (2-0) defeated Radford (0-2) at the South Alabama Invitational Saturday afternoon, 10-5.
The purple and gold drew eight walks on the day, most of them coming at key moments in the ball game. The Tech pitching staff also combined to allow just two hits throughout the game.
Radford was the first to strike in the contest plating a pair of runs in the opening frame without the benefit of a hit. Newcomer Carter Gannaway entered the contest for Tech with the bases loaded and no outs and was able to hold the Highlanders to just one more run in the inning before escaping further damage.
The sophomore right-hander went on to deliver an impressive outing the rest of the way, tossing five innings with just three unearned runs allowed. He struck out three batters in his first action in the purple and gold, securing the win as well.
The Tech offense was quick to respond to back the pitching staff, loading the bases with two outs for junior slugger John Dyer. The Golden Eagle right fielder produced one of the key hits of the day, smashing a 1-2 offering to left field to clear the bases and give the purple and gold a 3-2 lead. He scored just one pitch later, taking advantage of a fielding error by the Highlanders.
In the second, the Golden Eagles added another marker to the scoreboard, this one courtesy of left fielder Jason Hinchman. The senior slugger ripped a single to left field to plate shortstop Ed Johnson, who led off the frame with a base knock of his own to left.
Patience proved prudent for the Tech bats in the fourth inning, with the Cookeville crew taking its turn using the walk to its advantage for a 9-5 lead. The Golden Eagles combined to draw five free passes in the frame, scoring three times on wild pitches and once more on a bases-loaded walk drawn by designated hitter Hayden Gilliland.
The Highlanders provided a response in the fifth, using a trio of uncharacteristic miscues by the Tech defense to score three unearned tallies and cut the Golden Eagle lead to 9-5. Luke Jones increased the lead back to five in the seventh, continuing his prowess as a pinch-hitter by sneaking an RBI double down the left-field line.
Out of the bullpen, veteran Connor Adam was efficient, striking out four batters while covering two and two-thirds innings. He allowed just a single hit and one walk. Eric Newsom finished off the contest, tossing the final one and a third frames without allowing a hit or walk.
Dyer paced the Golden Eagle offensive effort, driving in four runs as part of a 1-for-2, two-walk day. Johnson collected a pair of hits and three runs scored in four at-bats while Gilliland scored twice and drew a trio of free passes.
File photo by Thomas Corhern