By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – A late charge proved too much to overcome for the Tennessee Tech baseball team Tuesday evening, as the Tennessee Volunteers (13-7) took the victory over the Golden Eagles (10-9) in Knoxville, winning 9-1.
The two sides battled through the first seven innings, as the home-town Vols jumped out to an early 2-0 advantage in the bottom of the first. A sacrifice fly and RBI double supplied the runs in the first, while an RBI single provided Tennessee a 3-0 lead following the third.
The Golden Eagles seemed destined to tie the game in the sixth, loading the bases with no outs after a leadoff double from Kevin Strohschein, throwing error that allowed David Garza to reach and infield single off the bat of Alex Junior. The Vols responded by turning one of their three double plays on the night, forcing Tyler Brazelton into a ground ball out to first base.
With the ball carrying the first baseman toward the bag, it provided a great angle for a throw home to nab Strohschein trying to score from third. Senior Jake Farr coaxed a six-pitch walk to once again load the bases, keeping Tech's chances alive. A wild pitch allowed Garza to score unearned, but a strikeout ended the Golden Eagle run in the sixth with Tennessee leading 3-1.
Tech kept the home team off the board over the next two frames, but the Vols jumped on some wildness in the eighth, plating six runs on a sacrifice fly, bases-loaded walk and grand slam. Tennessee took a 9-1 lead with the big inning, all but ending a comeback bid for the Golden Eagles.
Offensively, Strohschein led the way for the Golden Eagles, ripping two doubles in four at bats. Junior Jake Usher tossed two strong innings of relief in the contest on his way back from an arm injury, fanning three batters while allowing no hits and no walks.
Aaron Soto picked up the win for Tennessee, pitching two innings in relief with no base runners allowed. He also fanned two.
The Golden Eagles will return to Ohio Valley Conference play this Thursday, March 24, with a 6 p.m. CT contest at SIUE. The three-game series will span Thursday through Saturday with the team receiving Easter Sunday off.
Photo by Jim Dillon
