By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
MARTIN, Tenn. – History at the plate wasn't enough for the Tennessee Tech baseball team to outscore in-state rival UT Martin in the two teams' Ohio Valley Conference series final Sunday afternoon, as the Golden Eagles (21-16, 5-7) fell to the Skyhawks (10-25, 3-12), 10-9.
Another back-and-forth battle went in favor of the home team, despite the Golden Eagles getting out to an early lead for the second day in a row. An offensive force all weekend, it was right fielder Ryan Guardino providing the first lead of the game, smashing a solo home run to center field in the second.
Tech doubled that lead with an RBI double to left-center field by left fielder Jason Hinchman in the third, but the Skyhawks kept their own hot bats in the mix in the bottom half, squaring the ballgame at 2-2. In the fourth, the Golden Eagles looked to blow the game open, scoring four times to take a 6-2 advantage.
Second baseman Nick Spardone turned in a sacrifice fly and shortstop Ed Johnson followed two batters later with an RBI single through the left side. Third baseman Gabe Lacy doubled the output in the frame with a two-run single to center field.
In the bottom of the fifth, UT Martin struck back, taking the lead for good with six runs. Taking advantage of a two-out error by the purple and gold, the Skyhawks plated four, unearned runs to move out front 8-6.
Tech tried to get back in it in the sixth, with catcher Hayden Gilliland driving in a run with a single to left field. UT Martin answered right back with a solo run in the bottom half to move back out front by two.
In the seventh, Guardino tried to play hero again, crushing his second dinger of the day to right-center field to lead off the inning and cut the deficit to one. His final hit of the weekend represented his seventh long ball of the series, making him the first Golden Eagle in program history with multiple home runs in three straight games. It also marked the most dingers in a three-game stretch in school history.
Again the Skyhawks had a response, getting the run back in the bottom of the seventh to increase the lead back to two. The Golden Eagles mounted a valiant comeback bid in the ninth, despite recording two quicks outs.
Designated hitter John Dyer singled to right field on a 1-2 count and pinch-hitter Eric Newsom followed with a base hit up the middle. Center fielder Austin Turner drew a six-pitch walk to load the bases and set up Johnson with a chance for heroics. The junior collected his own walk on five offerings, driving in a run and cutting the deficit to just one. The Skyhawks forced a ground ball to Lacy on the next at-bat, ending the ball game.
Dyer led the Golden Eagles with a 3-for-4 day and a pair of runs scored while Guardino went 2-for-4 with the two pumps and three runs scored. Hinchman also tallied two hits, both doubles. Turner drew three more walks.
The Tech squad will wrap up its five-game road swing Tuesday evening, heading to Nashville for a 6:00 p.m. CT in-state battle with Lipscomb.
File photo by Thomas Corhern