2019 Tennessee Tech Baseball Schedule
By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – With the 2019 season fast approaching, the reigning NCAA Oxford Regional champion Tennessee Tech baseball team has officially announced its schedule for the upcoming spring, featuring 28 homes games to be played in the comfort of Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex.
"The number one priority for us when making a schedule is to make it advantageous for us," new head coach Justin Holmes said. "I think that this schedule is very beneficial for us. We got a little bit of a late start in the summer, but we were very fortunate to have some openings come up where we could play some quality opponents.
"It's a very balanced schedule, a lot like last year. I'm happy with it. [Assistant coach] Mitchell [Wright] did a great job. Our schedule has great games at home, great games on the road and it should be fun."
The newest season for Golden Eagle baseball will commence Friday, February 15 as Tech kicks off a three-game series against Western Illinois in Cookeville. First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m. CT.
In total, the purple and gold will host eight weekend series, including three in non-conference play. Tech will also bring in four non-conference foes during midweek action.
"We have some great home games" Holmes explained. "I think that's really important. I don't just want to be on the road forever, not just because you want to play at home, but for the guys. They deserve to be able to play here in Cookeville in front of our fans. It would be very easy to put together a schedule where we are gone all the time. You really have to hustle to get those quality opponents, great programs to come here and play, which is great for us and great for the fans."
The Golden Eagles will hit the road for the first time on Wednesday, February 20 with a visit to Clemson, one of two national seeds from last year's NCAA Tournament on TTU's schedule this season. Tech will also head to NC State (another national seed from last season) on April 23, to Vanderbilt (ranked No. 1 nationally headed into the year by D1Baseball.com) on April 30 and to Tennessee on May 14.
"We do have those marquee games on the road," Holmes said. "Those will provide a great atmosphere and that's where our guys want to go. I'm very thankful to Clemson, NC State, Tennessee and Vandy. The reality is they can play whoever they want. We have good relationships with them and try to do good by them and they reached out and helped us fill our schedule late there. I just love it. They are good for us not just from an RPI standpoint, but just for experience.
"Don't be mistaken, there are some great environments that are not Power 5 environments. I think the league proved that last year with Morehead [State], and, of course with our guys last year and how they played. There are some other very quality teams in our league. Going to Jacksonville State. Going to Southeast Missouri. Those are good environments. I think it all just plays right into what we are trying to do, which is playing on that national stage."
New to the 2019 season will be the location of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament, which will move from Oxford, Ala. to Marion, Ill. for the first time in league history. The event will take place at Rent One Park, the home of the Southern Illinois Miners of the Frontier League, from May 21-26.
"Ages and ages ago," Holmes said with a laugh, "I played there in independent ball when I was with Traverse City in the Frontier League. That was the first year they became a franchise and the stadium was brand new and beautiful. The crowd was very good, the atmosphere was great. Even though I only got to play three or four games there, they were all a great experience.
"That was a long time ago, but from what I remember, it was a pleasant experience. I think the park will play true. It's turf, which means we won't have to worry about rain. It has amenities for the fans. Some people may complain about the location; whatever. We'll go to it. If it can't be in Cookeville, I don't care. It looks like a nice place. Hopefully the community will come out and watch some great baseball. I think they will. They support their Frontier League team very well. I think if the conference tournament was in the same place every year for years and years, it would get a little stale. I kind of like it."
Photo by Tony Marable
