By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
DAVIDSON, N.C. – A stunning comeback spoiled a big lead for the Tennessee Tech baseball team Saturday afternoon, as the Golden Eagles fell to Davidson in the second contest of a three-game series at Wilson Field by a final score of 12-10, courtesy of a walk-off grand slam by the Wildcats in the bottom of the ninth.
The purple and gold looked well on its way to evening the three-game slate with Davidson halfway through the contest, boasting a 9-0 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth. Tech got right after it offensively, courtesy of the piping-hot bat of third baseman Peyton Mills.
The slugger hammered a three-run blast to left field for an instant 3-0 lead before the Golden Eagles even recorded an out. Three batters later, first baseman John Dyer hammered a solo home run down the left-field line, his third of the year and 27th of his career.
Second baseman Troy Baunsgard made it a 5-0 Tech advantage in the second, ripping an RBI double down the left-field line. In the fourth, the purple and gold continued the offensive surge, with Mills leading things off with a double.
Baunsgard drove him home two batters later, smacking an RBI triple to left field. The junior would later score in the frame on a wild pitch, making it a 7-0 lead.
Catcher Hayden Gilliland drew a four-pitch walk as the second batter of the fifth, providing more support for Mills who kept his power show rolling. The Tech third baseman crushed a two-run jack to center field, his second of the day and ninth of the season.
Davidson finally got some offense off of Golden Eagle hurler Hunter Mann in the fifth, who finished the contest with five and two-thirds frames of work, seven strikeouts, and five runs allowed. The Wildcats plated a pair in the fifth and followed with four more in the sixth, including two unearned.
In the eighth, center fielder Nicho Jordan provided the purple and gold with some insurance, leading off the frame with his first long ball of the season to center field. Leading 10-6 heading to the bottom of the ninth, Tech seemed destined for victory.
The home squad had other plans, quickly turning in a two-run dinger two batters into the frame. After a quick out, the Wildcats put a pair on before a passed ball allowed the runners to move into scoring position. A walk loaded the bases and prompted a pitching change for the Golden Eagles.
The call to the bullpen didn't work out for the Tech crew unfortunately, as Davidson's Hunter Anderson smashed a 2-1 offering to right field for a walk-off grand slam and a 12-10 victory for the home team.
The Golden Eagle offense had a massive day at the plate, piling up a whopping 19 hits during the day. Mills led the charge with a 4-for-6 showing and five RBI, accounting for three extra-base hits. Preston Ford, Baunsgard, and Dyer racked up three hits apiece. Rookie Kayne Jinks also turned in a multi-hit performance.
The weekend's series finale is slated for a 12:00 p.m. CT first pitch in Davidson, N.C.
File photo by Jim Dillon
