By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – The offenses were out in full force Sunday afternoon, but it was the long ball that proved the difference maker as the Tennessee Tech baseball team fell to SIUE in the Ohio Valley Conference series finale, 11-9.

In by far the most offensive contest of the three-game series, the Cougars (8-6, 3-0) used four round-trippers and 12 hits to outlast the Golden Eagles (3-11, 0-3), who totaled one home run and eight total hits.

On a day that featured multiple lead changes, it was the purple and gold that struck first, scoring almost immediately in the top of the first. After a walk to senior left fielder Cody Littlejohn, junior first baseman Jason Hinchman ripped the first pitch he saw down the third-base line for a double and RBI.

Two innings later, Tech doubled its advantage after a sacrifice fly ball by Littlejohn to center field drove in junior second baseman Hunter Higdon. SIUE answered in the bottom half, snagging the first of its dingers, a three-run shot, to take a 3-2 lead.

The Golden Eagles evened things at 3-3 in the top of the fourth after sophomore third baseman John Dyer reached all the way to third base on an error in right field. Rookie center fielder Theo Bryant IV provided the tying at-bat, sending a sacrifice fly to right field.

Again, the Cougars responded a trio of runs as seven batters saw the plate in the bottom half of the fourth. Tech made it three-straight innings with a single marker on the scoreboard after Higdon led off the fifth with a triple to center field. Freshman shortstop Brett Roberts drove him in with a ground out, cutting the deficit to 6-4.

SIUE snagged a solo home run in the bottom of the inning to stretch its lead back to three, but Tech wasn't finished at the plate. With a pair of runners at the corners, senior Anthony Carrera pinch-hit and delivered in a big way, blistering a triple to right-center field to plate two and cut down the deficit to a single run.

Freshman designated hitter Solomon Washington needed just two minutes to square things at 7-7, peppering his first career hit through the left side for his first RBI as a Golden Eagle as well. A single by Higdon and walk to Roberts gave Littlejohn the opportunity to provide the lead. The senior did just that, sending his second sac fly of the ball game to center field, one that took a diving effort to corral.

Once again, it was the long ball that set the Cougars back ahead in the contest, as SIUE delivered another three-run trip around the bases to take the lead for good. A solo shot in the seventh made it a three-run advantage, but Tech had one last look at a comeback in the ninth.

Littlejohn continued his strong day by leading off the frame with a solo, oppo-taco to left field. Eight-straight balls put a pair of Tech runners on, but SIUE hung tight down the stretch for the victory over the Golden Eagles.

Making his first career start, junior Tyler Sylvester completed three and a third innings with four strikeouts while taking a no-decision. Sophomore Daniel Holley tossed a pair of scoreless innings to finish the day, allowing just two hits and punching out a pair.

Leading the Tech offense was Littlejohn with a 1-for-2 day with a dinger and three RBI. Higdon added three hits and a pair of runs in four at-bats.

Tech will return to the comfort of Quillen Field and Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex Wednesday, Mar. 11 for an in-state battle with Lipscomb at 3:00 p.m. CT.

Photo by Tony Marable