By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Timely hitting from the bats of the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks proved enough for the Tennessee Tech baseball team's opponent to take game one in the teams' three-game series Friday afternoon, as the visitors downed the Golden Eagles by a score of 9-4.
The RedHawks dinked and dunked their way to a 5-0 lead through the game's first five and a half innings, gathering single runs in the first, third and fourth frames as well as a two spot in the fifth.
The Golden Eagle bats seemed to solve Miami starting pitcher Michael Hendricks in the bottom of the sixth, chasing the hurler with two outs in the inning after putting up three runs. Sophomore David Garza put Tech on the scoreboard with a leadoff long ball, crushing a 2-1 offering to left field.
After the RedHawk defense executed a double play, Jake Rowland took a pitch off his leg to bring up sophomore Chase Chambers. The first baseman battled to a 2-2 count before hammering a moon shot that just cleared the wall in right center field over the outstretched glove of Miami's Tyler Harris.
Miami gathered their sixth run of the game in the top of the seventh, taking a 6-3 advantage into the stretch. The RedHawks' first six runs of the game all came with two outs on the scoreboard, using a little luck and some timely hits to earn their third straight victory.
Tech collected its final run of the contest in the bottom half, as freshman sensation Kevin Strohschein tattooed a solo bomb to left field for his team-leading 13th RBI of the season.
A three-run home run off the bat of Miami's Chad Sedio provided enough breathing room for reliever Brad Schwartz to complete the contest and gather a save to propel the RedHawks to the series-opening victory.
Hendricks took the victory after tossing five and two thirds innings, allowing three hits, two walks and three earned runs. Schwartz completed the final three and one third frames, scattering three hits and allowing just the one earned run.
Garza led the Golden Eagle offense with two hits in three at bats, driving in one and scoring once. Chambers tallied two RBI while reaching base twice.
The Golden Eagles and RedHawks will square off in the second game of the series Saturday afternoon at Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex. First pitch is set for a 2 p.m. start.
Photo by Rob Schabert, Assistant A.D. for Sports Information & Broadcasting
