By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Off the heels of a 4-0 week, which included a road victory over No. 19 Vanderbilt, Collegiate Baseball newspaper has listed the Tennessee Tech baseball team as the No. 26 ranked team in Division I baseball as of Apr. 17, 2017.
It marks the second national ranking of the Golden Eagles program under the direction of head coach Matt Bragga – Tech was ranked No. 36 in Collegiate Baseball newspaper's 2014 preseason rankings – and the first during a regular season.
Last week the Golden Eagles defeated a nationally-ranked Vanderbilt squad for the second time since 2013 – Tech also defeated Vanderbilt in 2013 when the Commodores were ranked No. 2 – pulling off the 5-2 win in Nashville.
Tech ranks first nationally in doubles (95), second in hits (445) and runs scored (329), third in scoring (8.7 runs per game) and slugging percentage (.535), fourth in home runs (62) and eighth in batting average (.322).
The Golden Eagles boast several individuals ranked in the top 50 in the nation statistically, led by sophomore Alex Junior, who leads all Division I players in runs scored (50). Junior Ryan Flick ranks second in doubles (19), 14th in slugging percentage (.726), 17th in hits (57), 20th in home runs (10), 31st in on base percentage (.483) and 49th in walks (27).
Junior first baseman Chase Chambers ranks 18th nationally in hit by pitches (12), 20th in home runs (10) and 40th in RBI (41). Junior third baseman Trevor Putzig ranks 37th nationally in batting average (.391) and 44th in toughest to strikeout (12.8 at bats per strikeout) while sophomore outfielder Kevin Strohschein ranks 40th in RBI (41).
On the hill, senior hurler Michael Wood ranks third nationally in wins (7) while sophomore closer Ethan Roberts ranks eighth with 10 saves.
The Golden Eagles will hit the road for a midweek match-up at Alabama A&M Tuesday afternoon at 3 p.m. CT leading up to a three-game non-conference series at Southern Illinois this weekend.
Photo by Tony Marable, TTU Sports Information
