COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - An eight game streak is on the line for the Tennessee Tech baseball team (15-6, 5-1) as the Golden Eagles look for its ninth consecutive victory Friday afternoon when they head to Martin, Tenn. to take on the Skyhawks of UT Martin (8-13, 1-5).

Tech, which is off to a hot 5-1 start to Ohio Valley Conference play, will look to continue its impressive streak. Friday's contest is set for a 6 p.m. CDT start time. Saturday will begin at 3 p.m. while Sunday is set to begin at 1 p.m.

SCOUTING THE UT MARTIN SKYHAWKS

The Skyhawks boast the fourth highest batting average in the OVC, hitting .277 through 21 games. Four UT Martin regulars post an average above .300, including Byron Johann (.375), Grant Glasser (.338), Wade Collins (.333), and Phil Sorensen (.317). Collins and Johann lead the Skyhawks in RBI with 15 and 13, respectively. Both players also own slugging percentages above .500.

The Martin pitching staff ranks third in the OVC in strikeouts/game, setting down 7.78 batters per contest on strikes. In 177 innings, the Skyhawk pitchers have struck out 153 batters and are led by Friday's probable starter, Dan Tobik.

Tobik enters the series opener with a 4.38 ERA and 1-1 record in five starts. He has pitched 24.2 innings while giving up 12 earned runs and striking out 26 batters.

Saturday's tabbed starter, Taylor Cox, owns a 4.64 ERA and 0-1 record through five starts. His 21.1 innings pitched rank second on the squad, as do his 20 Ks. He has walked just eight batters on the year while giving up 11 earned runs.

Wrapping up the series on the hill for the Skyhawks will be Dalton Potts. The wins leader for Martin, Potts sits at 3-2 on the year with a 5.40 ERA in 18.1 innings pitched and 16 strikeouts.

CATCHING UP WITH TECH

The Golden Eagles are in an impressive stretch of play, winning eight straight games due largely in part to great offense and clutch pitching. Tech ranks number one in the OVC in RBI and home runs, owning two of the league's top sluggers in Brandon Thomasson and Zach Stephens. Thomasson has mashed seven home runs this season, driving in 27 runners to a tune of a .345 average and .750 slugging percentage. Stephens has a .320 average with five home runs and 24 RBI.

The Tech pitching staff has been dangerous this season, leading the league in strikeouts with 194 through 187 innings. The team owns a 4.67 ERA, holding its past eight opponents to six runs or fewer.

Expected on the hill for the Golden Eagles on Friday is ace Tristan Archer. The senior is 3-1 on the year with a 3.03 ERA and 33 strikeouts.

Nick Price will get his first weekend start of the season on Saturday, and will look to improve upon his 3-1 record. He has pitched 22.1 innings with a 5.24 ERA.

Sunday's starter will be Jacob Honea, who owns a 4.50 ERA and 1-1 record. He has struck out 24 batters in 20.0 innings pitched this season.