By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Relentless, first-inning offense and another pair of stand-out performances on the mound led the Tennessee Tech baseball team to an 8-1 victory over Bellarmine Sunday afternoon, as the Golden Eagles claimed the first series of the season at Quillen Field and Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex.
Making his collegiate debut, Tech (2-1) starter Jack Brafa looked like a seasoned veteran in his first game in the purple and gold. Picking up his first career win, the Medina, Tenn. native covered 5.1 innings on the hill for the Cookeville crew, scattering four hits, a walk, and one earned run while striking out three.
The freshman needed just 12 pitches to retire the Knights' (1-2) side in order, including his first career punch out. The Golden Eagle bats immediately rewarded Brafa for his clean inning, drumming up five runs in the opening frame.
Bellarmine looked well on its way to its own efficient half of the first, gathering strikeouts to the first two Tech batters. Senior catcher Hayden Gilliland kicked off a two-out rally, however, singling to right-center field to keep the inning alive.
Center fielder Nicho Jordan worked back from an 0-2 count to draw a clutch walk, setting up second baseman Troy Baunsgard for the first run of the game. The senior came through, poking a 1-2 pitch to right-center field for an RBI and 1-0 Tech lead.
Another Golden Eagle rookie showed off on the day, as designated hitter Mack Whitcomb stepped up to the dish with a chance to deliver a bigger advantage for his fellow freshman, Brafa. The Mokena, Ill. native delivered, crushing the first pitch he saw to right-center field, clearing the wall for a three-run home run.
Tech's first long ball of the year provided a 4-0 edge, and the offense still had more to provide. Shortstop Preston Steele got plunked by a pitch and third baseman Tanner Shiver drew a walk, bringing first baseman Preston Ford to the plate. The senior responded with an RBI base knock to center field, helping the purple and gold bat around in the first to the tune of a 5-0 lead.
The Knights claimed their lone run of the contest in the second, using a two-out triple that just squeaked inside the first-base line to set things up. A double drove in the run before Brafa induced a lazy ground ball to first to end the frame.
In the fifth, the Tech bats went back to work, loading the bases with two outs. Right fielder Jackson Green provided the first clutch moment of the inning, drawing a bases-loaded walk for an RBI. Gilliland followed with a single through the left side on an 0-2 count, plating two more Golden Eagles for the 8-1 decision.
Junior right-hander Jack Erdman took over the mound for Brafa in the sixth inning, showing poise in his first appearance as a member of the Cookeville crew. A native of Kirkland, Wash., he knocked out the final 3.2 innings for the Golden Eagles, limiting Bellarmine to just two base runners on a pair of base hits.
Securing the team's first save of the season, Erdman held the Knights scoreless the rest of the day, racking up four strikeouts without issuing a walk.
Baunsgard paced the offense with three of the team's 10 hits in the contest. Gilliland and Shiver each delivered a pair of hits as well while Whitcomb led the day with three RBI.
The purple and gold piled up four stolen bases in the contest as well, with left fielder Austin Turner leading the way with a pair. Jordan and Shiver each accounted for a swipe as well.
The Golden Eagles hit the road for the first time this season Tuesday afternoon, heading to Huntsville, Ala. for a 1:00 p.m. CT match-up with Alabama A&M. Tech then returns to the Quill to host Sacred Heart in a three-game, weekend series starting Friday, Feb. 23.
Photo by Jim Dillon
