By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
Tennessee Tech Baseball Weekend Preview (Feb. 26-27)
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Due to expected inclement weather conditions in the Cookeville area, including heavy amounts of rain, this weekend's baseball series originally scheduled to take place at Quillen Field and Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex between Tennessee Tech and Kent State has been relocated to Kent, Ohio.
The Golden Flashes will now host the Golden Eagles in three games, beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday. Competing at Olga Mural Field at Schoonover Stadium in Kent, Ohio, game one of the day is set for a 12:00 p.m. CT first pitch. Game two is slated to follow at approximately 3:00 p.m. The series finale is scheduled for a 12:00 p.m. start on Sunday.
The three-game series will be closed to the media, scouts and public, with only team and gameday personnel allowed in the stadium. The series can be followed live via webstream and live stats, with links expected to be available soon. Fans can check out the Tech baseball schedule on TTUSports.com for all gameday links prior to each contest.
The Golden Eagles kicked off the 2021 campaign at a round-robin tournament hosted by Ohio Valley Conference rival Jacksonville State last weekend, going 2-1 after weather forced a relocation of the team's opening weekend slated to take place at home against Southern Illinois. The Salukis defeated Tech in the season-opener, 4-3, but the purple and gold rallied later in the evening to collect a 5-3 victory over Alabama State. The Cookeville crew followed it up with another win on Sunday, defeating Jacksonville State in non-conference action, 5-4.
Sophomore Auburn transfer Ed Johnson led the Golden Eagles in the opening weekend with a .375 average, collecting three hits, two runs scored and a pair of RBI, including the game-winner in the ninth inning to defeat the Gamecocks. Senior veteran Cody Littlejohn delivered a team-high three RBI to start the season, as well as the squad's first long ball of the season. He hit .364 with a pair of runs, four total hits and a triple to go along with the round-tripper. Sophomore slugger Golston Gillespie also hit .364 with four hits, accounting for a double and two RBI.
On the hill, Connor Adams turned in five innings of relief with a career-high eight strikeouts and just one run allowed. Mark Leonard covered two and one-third scoreless innings out of the pen, securing his first win of the season with four punch-outs. Jonny Hickman claimed the other Tech victory, making two appearances to the tune of three innings and four strikeouts.
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Tennessee Tech at Kent State | Saturday, Feb. 26, 12:00 pm
Kent, Ohio | Olga Mural Field at Schoonover Stadium (500)
Tennessee Tech at Kent State | Saturday, Feb. 26, 3:00 pm
Kent, Ohio | Olga Mural Field at Schoonover Stadium (500)
Tennessee Tech at Kent State | Sunday, Feb. 27, 12:00 pm
Kent, Ohio | Olga Mural Field at Schoonover Stadium (500)
TENNESSEE TECH GOLDEN EAGLES
2021 Record: 2-1
2021 OVC Record: 0-0
Head Coach: Steve Smith
TTU: 5-13 (2nd Season)
Career: 749-536-1 (23rd Season)
STATS LEADERS
AVG: Ed Johnson (.375)
2B: Brett Roberts (2)
3B: Cody Littlejohn (1)
HR: Cody Littlejohn (1)
RBI: Cody Littlejohn (3)
R: 4 players tied (2)
BB: Jason Hinchman (2)
SB: Brett Roberts (2)
ERA: Daniel Holley / Mark Leonard (0.00)
W: Jonny Hickman / Mark Leonard (1)
APP: Jonny Hickman (2)
IP: Connor Adams (5.0)
K: Connor Adams (8)
SV: None
KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES
2021 Record: 0-2
2021 MAC Record: 0-0
Head Coach: Jeff Duncan
KSU: 225-128 (7th Season)
Career: Same
STATS LEADERS
AVG: Justin Miknis / Grant Vera (.500)
2B: 4 players tied (1)
3B: None
HR: None
RBI: Collin Mathews (2)
R: Ben Carew (2)
BB: 5 players tied (1)
SB: None
ERA: Peyton Deats / Ryan Lane (0.00)
W: None
APP: 6 players tied (1)
IP: Luke Albright (5.0)
K: Luke Albright (7)
SV: None
Photo by Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
