By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – What appeared to be destined for a slugfest quickly turned to a pitcher's duel Friday evening, as the Tennessee Tech baseball team held off in-state rival ETSU in the two teams' series opener at Quillen Field and Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex, 4-3.
The Buccaneers (8-8) were quick to strike on Golden Eagle hurler Peyton Calitri gathering a double, free pass, and a two-run double to take a quick 2-0 lead. The visitors plated one more later in the frame on a passed ball, moving in front 3-0 in what seemed to be only the beginning.
In the bottom half, the purple and gold picked up an important run to provide an answer, using a little two-out rally to get things started. Designated hitter Hayden Gilliland kicked it off with a double to right field. On the next pitch, left fielder Preston Ford ripped a single up the middle to plate Gilliland for the team's first run.
Calitri rebounded on the mound, making quick work of the ETSU lineup in the second, needing just 10 pitches to move on to the bottom half. After giving up a one-out single, the right-hander used a slick pick-off move to nab the runner at first.
A trio of base knocks led the Golden Eagles to another run in the second, with first baseman John Dyer leading things off with a single to third base. Two batters later, catcher Will Long ripped a base hit to right field. Shortstop Nick Spardone drove Dyer in with a base hit through the left side, pulling Tech within one.
Another 1-2-3 inning for Calitri brought the Golden Eagles to the third, where the home squad jumped on top for good. Gilliland and Ford drew back-to-back walks to begin the inning and both advanced on a wild pitch. After ETSU picked up its first out, Dyer provided the big swing, smacking a base hit up the middle for a pair of RBI and a 4-3 TTU lead.
The Bucs looked to rally in the fifth, leading off the frame with a couple of base hits before Calitri picked up a huge strikeout. A pitch inside faded just a little too much, plunking the next ETSU batter to load the bases with just one out.
The Golden Eagle ace doubled down, fanning another Buc hitter to move within an out of escaping the jam. Calitri pulled it off on the next pitch, inducing an inning-ending ground ball to third baseman Peyton Mills.
Rookie hurler Reece McDuffie took over on the hill in the sixth and was masterful the rest of the way. The freshman from Mount Airy, N.C. held the Bucs without a hit over the final four frames, issuing weak contact and letting his defense turn in strong displays.
McDuffie struck out a pair while walking two on the night, securing his first career save. Calitri notched his second win of the year after punching out four and allowing two earned runs in five innings of work.
Gilliland, Dyer, and Long each racked up two hits to lead the offensive side of things on the day. Gilliland also scored a team-high two runs while Dyer drove in a pair.
Game two of the series is slated for a 2:00 p.m. CT first pitch Saturday afternoon. The series finale is scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. start on Sunday.
File photo courtesy of Austin Slough, Queens Athletics
