By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
MADISON, Ala. – A late rally led to the Tennessee Tech baseball team's first loss of the 2022 season Wednesday evening, as the Golden Eagles fell to Auburn, 4-3, at Toyota Field, the home of the Rocket City Trash Pandas, the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
It was a pitcher's duel early on the night, as both teams' starting hurlers delivered four scoreless frames to begin the contest. The Golden Eagles were the first to strike, plating all three of their runs in the fifth inning.
A pair of former Auburn Tigers kicked things off for the Tech offense, with centerfielder Austin Turner working a full count before lacing a double to right-center field with one out in the frame. Shortstop Ed Johnson followed with a ground-rule double to left-center field, driving in Turner for the first run of the game.
Left fielder Jason Hinchman collected an infield single to shortstop with two outs, prompting a pitching change. First baseman Golston Gillespie then delivered a big knock, singling to left field to drive in another run. Hinchman would also score on the play thanks to a miscue by the Tigers at the plate.
Auburn collected one run in the fifth, using a pair of doubles to finally get on the scoreboard. Tech starter Brock Smith turned in a solid performance, tossing four and one-third innings with just one earned run allowed on three hits and three walks. He also struck out four batters.
Matt Gelorme took over on the hill in the fifth, finishing the frame and working both the sixth and seventh. The right-hander struck out the side in the sixth and allowed just one earned run in the seventh on a single and a triple.
Right fielder Ryan Guardino came up with a huge defensive play in the seventh, with the Tigers sending a fly ball to right field with an eye on a sacrifice fly. The junior unleashed a cannon to hose the runner tagging from third at the plate to end the inning.
In the eighth, Auburn took advantage of some wildness from the bullpen, using three straight walks to open the frame to load the bases. A hit-by-pitch provided the tying run while a sacrifice fly later in the frame would secure the win for the Tigers.
Eight of Tech's nine hitters secured at least one hit in the ball game, led by Gillespie's two and catcher Will Long's pair of knocks.
The Golden Eagles will continue their road trip with a three-game series at Southeastern Louisiana this weekend. Game one is slated for a 6:00 p.m. CT first pitch on Friday, Mar. 11 with game two set for a 2:00 p.m. start on Saturday, Mar. 12. The finale will commence at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, Mar. 13.
File photo by Thomas Corhern
