By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Early run support for the home team led Middle Tennessee past the Tennessee Tech baseball team Tuesday evening, as the Golden Eagles fell to their in-state rival 8-4 at Reese Smith Jr. Field in Murfreesboro.

The Blue Raiders gathered four runs in the bottom of the second inning, getting off to an early lead behind two singles, a double, two hit-by-pitches, and a walk. Tech answered back in the third, scoring twice to cut the deficit in half.

Shortstop Ed Johnson led off the frame by getting plunked and third baseman Gabe Lacy followed with a walk. Two batters later, designated hitter Ryan Guardino smashed a single to center field, plating Johnson for the first run of the game for the purple and gold.

Next up for the Golden Eagles, catcher Hayden Gilliland laced his own RBI single to center field, driving in the team's second run of the night. Middle Tennessee had a response in the second half, scoring twice to push back out by four, 6-2.

The home squad put two more on the board in the fourth, taking its largest lead of the night at 8-2. Tech attempted to claw back, starting in the seventh.

Lacy led off the frame with a base hit to left field and advanced to third on a pair of Tech outs. Gilliland took his turn in the box and produced for the Golden Eagles for the second time on the night, blistering another RBI single to center field.

Tech got one more look at a comeback bid in the ninth, thanks to a big swing by Johnson. The slugger crushed a lead-off pump to right field, making it an 8-4 ballgame. It marked his ninth round-tripper of the year.

Gilliland led the offensive effort on the night, finishing 3-for-4 with a pair of RBI. Six other Golden Eagles combined for the remaining six of the team's nine hits in the game. Colt Taylor and Jackson Berry each turned in scoreless frames in relief while Frankie Cresta finished off two innings with no runs and just one hit allowed.

The Golden Eagles return to Cookeville for the final time in the 2022 campaign, playing host to Austin Peay for the final time as Ohio Valley Conference rivals. The series will run Friday through Sunday with the opener set for 6:00 p.m. Friday evening.

File photo by Emily Armstrong