By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – After moving its regularly scheduled Saturday contest to Sunday to create a doubleheader, the Tennessee Tech baseball team earned a 1-1 split against Little Rock to take the season-opening series 2-1.
The Trojans (1-2) defeated the Golden Eagles (2-1) in the early contest, 7-4, despite Tech taking an early 1-0 lead. Little Rock plated two runs in each of the third, fourth and sixth frames while the Golden Eagles score solo markers in four separate innings.
Junior center fielder Alex Junior finished 2-for-4 with three runs scored and his first home run of the year in the contest while second baseman John Ham tallied two doubles in three at bats.
Game two was a much different story for the Golden Eagles. The offense exploded to the tune of 17 runs on 15 hits for an easy 17-7 victory to clinch the series. Ethan Roberts earned the victory after finishing the final two innings and pitching the most effectively out of the bullpen.
Effective doesn't even scratch the surface on Roberts' performance, as the junior closer never even allowed the Trojans to put a ball in play. The local Sparta native struck out each of the six Little Rock batters he faced, requiring just 26 pitches over his two innings of work to finish the game.
On the offensive side, Junior continued his fantastic day at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a walk and hit-by-pitch while scoring four runs and driving in two. Junior right fielder Kevin Strohschein joined in with his own monster game, finishing 4-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored.
Senior left fielder Collin Harris continued the outfield trend of punishing the ball, gathering three hits in five at bats for three RBI and a couple of runs. Trevor Putzig, Chase Chambers, and John Ham all posted multiple RBI as well in the contest.
The Golden Eagles return to action with a three-game series at Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex starting Friday, Feb. 23. Tech will play host to Illinois State at 3 p.m. CT.
Photo by Tony Marable
