By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
ATLANTA, Ga. – A big first inning by the Tennessee Tech baseball team wasn't enough to fend off the constant offensive threat of No. 22 Georgia Tech Sunday afternoon, as the Golden Eagles fell in the series finale with the Yellow Jackets, 11-7, at Mac Nease Park and Russ Chandler Stadium.
Much like the previous two days in the series, the purple and gold was quick to dent the scoreboard on Sunday, immediately pushing the Yellow Jacket pitching staff. The Golden Eagles took advantage of a pair of defensive miscues by the home team to put up a 4-0 lead.
With one out, second baseman Eddie Garza reached on an error at shortstop and right fielder Theo Bryant IV followed with a base hit to left field. First baseman John Dyer reached on a fielder's choice on the next at-bat, but another error at shortstop allowed Bryant to reach second safely and load the bases.
Designated hitter Tanner Shiver got the first run out of the way for the Golden Eagles, sending a sacrifice fly to center field for a 1-0 lead. Third baseman Peyton Mills made a 2-0 advantage thanks to an RBI single to right field. Two batters later, left fielder Austin Turner cracked a base knock to right-center field, driving in two more runs for the TTU effort.
Georgia Tech held the Golden Eagles scoreless over the next two frames, trying to fight back. TTU hurler Jacob Morin limited the Yellow Jackets' opportunities, holding the home squad's rally to just three runs over the opening three frames. He finished the day with a pair of punchouts.
The purple and gold pushed back out by a pair of runs in the fourth, with Turner leading off the frame with another base hit. An error by Georgia Tech later in the frame allowed the Golden Eagle junior to score, making it a 5-3 contest.
The Yellow Jackets responded with a run in the bottom half of the inning, but it was the fifth where the scoreboard flipped. The home squad racked up three runs in the bottom of the fifth, jumping on top 7-5 and never relinquished the lead again.
For good measure, Georgia Tech plated a run in the sixth and three more in the seventh, extending its advantage to 11-5.
The Golden Eagles worked for a rally in the eighth, with Turner again leading things off with a base hit. Back-to-back walks to center fielder Jackson Green and shortstop Troy Baunsgard loaded the bases and Turner would score later in the frame, albeit on the end of a double play by the Yellow Jacket defense.
Despite the double play, the Golden Eagles plated one more in the frame, with Green coming home safely on a wild pitch.
Turner led the purple and gold with a 3-for-5 showing, two RBI, and two runs scored on the day while Bryant and Mills each added a pair of hits. Freshman hurler Josh Beasley tossed a scoreless frame out of the bullpen for the Golden Eagles in the eighth, allowing just one hit.
TTU will return to Cookeville for a midweek tilt against in-state rival Lipscomb on Tuesday, squaring off with the Bisons in a 3:00 p.m. contest at Quillen Field and Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex. Admission to all Golden Eagle home games is free and open to the public.
Photo courtesy of Georgia Tech Athletics Communications office
