By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Solid pitching and another strong offensive showing propelled the Tennessee Tech baseball team to its second straight weekend sweep and a perfect 6-0 start to the year as the Golden Eagles defeated Eastern Michigan, 11-2, Sunday afternoon at Quillen Field and Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex.
Completing the series sweep over the Eagles, Tech got off to not only the best start under the direction of head coach Matt Bragga, but also the program's best run out of the gates to start a season since 1970, when the team began the year 7-0 under W.A. Wright.
Both sides traded zeroes on the scoreboard out of the gates, but it was Tech that broke through first, denting home plate in the third with a trio of markers. Center fielder Austin Turner opened the frame with a four-pitch walk and promptly moved to second on a wild pitch.
The speedster showed off his wheels quickly, as shortstop Ed Johnson laced a single to right field. Turner rounded third and made a head-first slide that just beat the tag to give Tech a 1-0 lead.
Later in the frame, first baseman Golston Gillespie ripped a single down the first-base line, plating Johnson and doubling the advantage. For good measure, designated hitter Hayden Gilliland drove in one more, grounding out to second base for an early 3-0 Tech advantage.
Eastern Michigan responded in the top of the fourth, providing its only damage of the contest with a two-run home run with two outs. Neither side got much going in the fifth or sixth, but Tech made the most of its chances in the seventh.
The Golden Eagles opened the bottom of the frame with three straight singles from Turner, Johnson, and third baseman Gabe Lacy, the latter of which drove in in a big insurance run with his base knock down the third-base line. Left fielder Jason Hinchman made it four consecutive base hits for the purple and gold, peppering an RBI single to left field for a 5-2 Tech lead.
Unfinished with the run, Gillsepie turned in the Cookeville crew's sixth base hits in-a-row off the glove of the Eastern Michigan third baseman, plating one more. Right fielder Eric Newsom closed out the inning of scoring with a sacrifice line out to left field.
In the eighth, Tech used its patience and some struggles from the visiting Eagles to do its damage. Luke Jones pinch-hit and drew an immediate free pass to lead off the bottom of the eighth. Turner singled and advanced on a throw to put runners on second and third.
Johnson hit a ground ball to shortstop, but the play was mishandled, allowing the speedy Golden Eagle to reach safely. Pinch-runner Jackson Green broke for home on the miscue, scoring after the throw from the shortstop sailed wide for the second error on the play.
A walk to Lacy loaded the bases, with Turner eventually scoring on a wild pitch that advanced the runners. Hinchman followed with a walk to fill the base paths once again.
Gillespie then worked a full count and drew his own free pass for an RBI, giving Tech double figures in the scoring column for the fifth consecutive game. Gilliland made it an 11-2 ball game after getting plunked in the back with the bases juiced.
On the mound, southpaw Connor Adams turned in a solid start with five strikeouts over three and two-thirds innings on the hill. He allowed just two earned runs and three hits while walking one.
Brock Myers took over on the mound in the fourth, completing the next four and one-third frames to collect his nation-leading third win of the year. The right-hander punched out five batters while scattering three hits and a walk. Frankie Cresta completed the contest, turning in a scoreless ninth with just one hit allowed.
Four Golden Eagles picked up multi-hit efforts, led by Johnson with three. He also tied with Lacy and Turner for the team lead with three runs scored each. Gillespie led the way with three RBI on the power of two hits.
The purple and gold return to action with a midweek tilt at North Alabama Tuesday evening. First pitch is slated for 5:00 p.m. CT in Florence, Ala.
Photo by Thomas Corhern
