CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. --- Despite posting 11 hits, the Tennessee Tech baseball team was unable to keep pace with Southeast Missouri Friday afternoon as the Redhawks handed the Golden Eagles a 9-6 loss in the series opener.
The runs came in bunches for the Redhawks as they put together a four-run fifth inning and a five-run seventh inning as they tallied a total of 11 hits.
SEMO's four-run fifth inning came after TTU had built a 4-0 lead after posting one run in the first and third innings, and two in the top of the fifth. Michael Morris got the scoring going with an RBI-double in the first, while Dylan Bosheers put Tech up 2-0 with an RBI-single. Ben Burgess and Chad Hayes each drove in a run in the fifth to increase the Golden Eagles lead to 4-0.
TTU starter Tristan Archer, who threw four scoreless innings to start the game, ran into trouble in the fifth as he gave up four runs on four hits, including a three-run double from Cody Campbell, before being lifted for Cullen Park with two outs in the inning.
Tech regained the lead with a bases loaded walk in the top of the seventh, but in the bottom of the inning SEMO would tack on five more runs, four of which came off a Kenton Parmley grand slam, to put the Redhawks up 9-5.
The Golden Eagles managed to get one more across in the ninth but that was as close as they would get as Southeast Missouri secured the series opener with a 9-6 win.
Christian Hull (3-6) earned the win as he threw the final three innings for SEMO, as he allowed just two runs, while striking out five. Starter Shae Simmons got the no decision as he gave up four runs through five innings.
Josh Bryant (1-1) took the loss as he gave up two runs in 1.1 innings. Archer gave up four runs in 4.2 innings pitched to start the game, while Seth Lucio allowed three runs in the final 1.2 innings.
Game two of the series is set for Saturday at 2 p.m.