By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
JACKSON, Tenn. – It was a tough day at the Ballpark at Jackson for the Tennessee Tech baseball team Friday afternoon, as the No. 1 seeded Southeast Missouri Redhawks ended the 2015 season for the No. 4 Golden Eagles with a 14-1 victory on the third day of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament.
The Golden Eagles (35-22) took the early lead in the ball game, thanks in large part to departing senior David Allen. The center fielder, who started all 55 games for the Tech squad this season, led off the ball game with a first-pitch single to left center field. He promptly stole second before advancing to third base after a ground out to second by Anthony El Chibani.
Sophomore left fielder Tyler Brazelton took the plate next, watching a ball and a strike go by before unloading on a double down the left field line. The two-bagger proved enough to drive in Allen and provide the Golden Eagles with an early 1-0 advantage.
It was all Southeast Missouri (35-22) from that point on, however, as Redhawk starter Travis Hayes allowed just four more hits the rest of the way, tossing a complete game with six strikeouts. The SEMO offense also came alive, driving in solo runs in the second and third frames before exploding for a nine-spot in the top of the fourth. Three more markers in the seventh provided the final score of 14-1.
For the game, Allen led the Golden Eagles with a 3-for-5 performance while true freshman Trevor Putzig also notched a mutl-hit affair, squaring up two offerings for a 2-for-4 day at the dish. On the mound, senior Jacob Honea got the start, exiting after two innings of work with arm fatigue. Also getting in work for the Golden Eagles were junior Trevor Maloney, junior Kyle Godwin, and seniors Jeb Scoggins, Austin Tolle, and Cain Sloan.
The loss marked the end of several outstanding careers by eight senior members of the Tech program.
Originally a transfer St. Petersburg College, right-handed pitcher Chris Chism enjoyed a great two-year career for the Golden Eagles, collecting 12 victories with two complete-game shutouts and 113 strikeouts in 137 innings on the mound. With an 8-3 mark this season, Chism took home All-OVC Second Team honors, stepping in as the Tech ace in the second week of the conference season.
Another junior college transfer arm, Austin Tolle spent two seasons coming out of the Tech bullpen and making those moments count, compiling 48 strikeouts in 31 appearances while also tallying three victories.
Yet another transfer that came into the program two years ago, Cain Sloan played a big role coming on in relief throughout his two-year career. The righty captured three wins and three saves with 35 appearances, capturing a 3.40 ERA with 48 strikeouts in 47 and two thirds innings of work.
Moving into the closer role in his second and final year in the purple and gold, right-handed pitcher Jeb Scoggins made his senior campaign count, compiling six saves and three victories. He rounded out a stellar two-year career with an ERA of 4.12 over 44 appearances, tossing 72 innings with 72 strikeouts and just 30 walks. He held batters to a .260 average while finishing in a tie for fifth all-time in career saves in Golden Eagle history.
After sitting out two seasons due to injury, and playing in just eight games in 2013, David Allen truly made his final two years in a Tech uniform count. After batting .277 in 36 games as a junior, the Knoxville native really stepped up his game in 2015, starting all 55 contests in center fielder without making a single error. In fact, Allen did not make one miscue his entire Golden Eagle career, tying for the top fielding percentage in program history. As a senior he batted .301 with 39 runs scored, 12 doubles, two home runs and 31 RBI.
One of three captains for the Golden Eagle squad, Jacob Honea played three seasons after transferring from Motlow State Junior College, making 30 starts with seven victories over that span. He tossed 128 innings in his Tech career, compiling 110 strikeouts.
Another captain and four-year member of the Tech program, catcher Jordan Hopkins played in 152 contests, making 121 starts between the backstop and as a designated hitter. He tallied over 100 hits in his career, scoring 81 runs with seven long balls and 88 RBI. He also drew 84 walks, including a team-high 35 in 2015.
Tech's remaining captain hardly easily left his mark as one of the best players ever to suit up for the Golden Eagles, earning four All-American nods, All-OVC First Team honors twice, All-OVC Second Team honors once, OVC All-Freshman honors and OVC All-Tournament accolades, along with numerous other national awards.
Shortstop Dylan Bosheers rewrote the Tech record books, finishing with the most career doubles (60) and second in games played (221), at bats (846), runs scored (191), total bases (441) and hits (279). His 279 base knocks also placed him in the top 10 all-time in OVC history. He finished third in Tech history with 179 RBI, fifth with 101 walks and seventh with 30 home runs.
In his final season, the senior batted .337 with 50 runs scored, 20 doubles, nine home runs, 43 RBI, a .576 slugging percentage, 29 walks and .424 on base percentage. In the tournament, he clubbed two home runs and double while going 4-for-10 with five RBI, clinching his second straight OVC All-Tournament honors along the way.
Photo by Tony Marable
