By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – For the 11th time this season, the Tennessee Tech baseball team used its never-give-up attitude to rally from a deficit in the fifth inning or later, jumping back to take down in-state and Ohio Valley Conference rival Belmont, 4-3, in the series-opening contest Friday evening.
The Golden Eagles (23-23, 14-11) used two runs in the bottom of the fifth, as well as a gutsy relief effort from senior Jeb Scoggins, to finish the comeback win over the Bruins (25-23, 13-11) in an unusually low-scoring affair for the two ball clubs.
Tech started things right out of the gate as leadoff man and right fielder Tyler Brazelton dropped a huge tater over the wall in left field, providing his team with an early 1-0 lead. The solo shot marked the third of the year for the sophomore, who eventually finished the contest with two RBI.
Brazelton's second RBI off Belmont starter Dan Ludwig came just one inning later after a ground out to third base allowed Jake Farr to cross safely. At the end of the second inning, Tech had jumped out to a 2-0 lead.
One of the most potent offenses in not just the league, but the entire country, Belmont bounced back over the next two frames. In the top of the third, the Bruins snagged its first run of the contest on a wild pitch by Golden Eagle hurler Chris Chism. The visitors added two more in the fourth with a two-run shot by left fielder William Dodd, taking a 3-2 lead that seemed like it had a chance to hold up in a contest that featured just 11 hits.
Chism settled, however, holding the Bruin bats at bay for the next three innings while the Tech offense went to work once more in the bottom of the fifth.
After securing a quick out to start the frame, Belmont reliever Tyler Vaughn issued a five-pitch walk to redshirt freshman Ryan Flick. Senior catcher Jordan Hopkins cracked a double past a diving Brennan Washington in right field, putting runners on second and third with just one out.
Second baseman Jake Farr cashed in on the opportunity, crushing a double that one-hopped the wall in center field to drive in both base runners and recapture the lead for the home squad. The junior's clutch hit proved to be more than enough for the Golden Eagles pitching staff as Chism locked down the next two frames before giving way to Scoggins.
Belmont refused to go down without a fight, threatening in both the eighth and ninth innings. Drew Ferguson drew a walk to start the eighth and stole second right away. A second walk doled out by Scoggins put runners at first and second for the Bruins, but the senior reliever was able to collect some momentum by inducing a fly ball to left center field.
Two very long and heart-stopping at bats began, with Scoggins coming out on top each time. After immediately pouring two strikes in towards his second out, the right-handed pitcher offered two more pitches that designated hitter Nick Egli fought off. Scoggins finally forced his opponent to swing and miss on the fifth pitch of a long at bat that featured several step offs and timeouts from both sides.
Shortstop Tyler Walsh took to the plate next, looking to take advantage of the moment. Another five-pitch battle ensued with Scoggins prevailing one more time, forcing Walsh to swing and miss with the runners taking off on the pitch.
In the ninth, the Tech closer forced a quick out to start things off, but then offered up a tough walk on eight pitches Drake Byrd. Joseph Stovall entered as a pinch runner to offer speed while Desi Ammons took his turn at the dish as a pinch hitter. Instead of looking for the strikeout, Scoggins wisely let his defense do the dirty work to end the contest, inducing a ground ball on the third pitch of the at bat.
Freshman third baseman Trevor Putzig fielding the ball with ease, flipping it to Farr at second for one out before the junior hurled it over to Chase Chambers at first base for the final out of the game.
Scoggins collected his fifth save of the season on the night, tossing the final two innings without allowing a hit or a run. As for Chism, the senior starter notched his seventh victory of the season with seven innings of solid work on the hill, allowing just three earned runs and six hits while striking out three.
Farr and Brazelton led the way with two RBI apiece while Hopkins represented the only batter in the contest to register two hits on the night.
The Golden Eagles and Bruins will clash in game two of the three-game set Saturday evening when the two rivals square off in a 6 p.m. CT bout at Bush Stadium. Fans can follow the action live on the OVC Digital Network.
Photo by Jim Dillon
