By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
MURRAY, Ky. – An early offensive strike was the big difference-maker Thursday evening, as the Tennessee Tech baseball team fell to Ohio Valley Conference rival Murray State in their series opener at Reagan Field, 7-2.
The Racers (30-22, 11-11) dropped five runs in the second inning providing the difference in the scoring on the night to take a 5-0 lead. In fact, Murray State hurler Hayden Wynja held the Golden Eagles (25-25, 9-13) to just two hits into the seventh frame.
The purple and gold broke through in the top of the seventh, with Luke Jones providing the big swing. Pinch-hitting, Jones worked a 3-1 count before unloading on the next offering, smashing a solo blast to center field for his fifth round-tripper of the year.
In the eighth, the Golden Eagles cut the deficit to just 5-2, with another long ball paving the way. On the first pitch he saw, third baseman Gabe Lacy uncorked a hefty attack, crushing the ball to left field for his 10th dinger of the season.
Murray State responded in the bottom half of the frame, plating a pair to expand the lead back out to five. Tech put a pair in scoring position in the ninth with catcher Hayden Gilliland and Jones drawing back-to-back, two-out walks and advancing on a passed ball. The Racers closed things out to take the win.
Center fielder Austin Turner led the offense with a 2-for-3 night at the dish while four other Golden Eagles combined for the team's other four base knocks.
Game two of the series is slated for a 5:00 p.m. CT first pitch Friday evening in Murray.
File photo by Emily Armstrong