By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – It was a tough go for the Tennessee Tech baseball team in its Ohio Valley Conference series opener at Southeast Missouri Friday evening, as the Redhawks (19-17, 8-2) defeated the Golden Eagles (10-22, 2-5) by a final score of 10-1 at Capaha Field in Cape Girardeau, Mo.
The purple and gold got off to a fast start on the night, with center fielder Nicho Jordan kicking things off with a highlight. The lefty-swinging slugger hammered the second pitch of the contest to right field, clearing the wall for a solo home run and 1-0 Tech lead.
From that point on, it was all Redhawks, as the home squad locked down on the pitching side and the offense took over for the big first win. SEMO starter Noah Niznik produced a strong showing on the mound, finishing seven innings with 10 strikeouts and just the one run allowed.
Tech did manage six hits off the hurler and one more off the bullpen, with second baseman Troy Baunsgard producing two knocks and first baseman John Dyer turning a pair of doubles.
The Southeast Missouri offense was quick to answer Tech's round-tripper, plating three of its own in the bottom of the first with a three-run dinger. The Redhawks added four more in the second with a two-run double and two-run jack, taking a 7-1 lead.
SEMO tagged the purple and gold for two more in the fourth before Golden Eagle southpaw Brock Smith took over on the mound. He allowed one run in the fifth, but was otherwise special. The senior closed down the final frames with eight punch-outs and just one hit and one walk allowed.
Game two of the weekend series is slated for a 2:00 p.m. CT first pitch Saturday afternoon.
File photo by Jim Dillon
