By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – More dominance on the hill and an explosive second inning kept the Tennessee Tech baseball team to its winning ways Tuesday afternoon, as the Golden Eagles made it three straight victories with a 10-0 triumph in seven innings over Alabama A&M in the team's first road tilt of the year.
Competing at Bulldog Field, the Golden Eagles (3-1) rode the wave of their four hurlers into a combined shutout over the Bulldogs (1-3). The Tech pitching staff held AAMU to just one hit in a contest limited to seven frames due to a pre-determined run rule.
Rookie southpaw Eli Huddleston made his collegiate debut as Tech's starter in the affair, setting the tone early with a 1-2-3 first inning. After his offense provided him a massive lead with a seven-run second, the freshman dialed in and completed 3.0 total innings while allowing just one hit.
The local Upperman High School star picked up his first career strikeout in the contest and earned the first win of his career as well after coming out of the game due to a pre-determined pitch count.
Fellow freshman Juan Vargas also made his first career appearance, covering the fourth and fifth frames of the ball game without allowing a base runner. The right-hander fanned a pair over his 2.0 innings of work. Sophomore Brody Lanham and senior Nick Vaccaro took care of the sixth and seventh innings while holding the Bulldogs without a base runner as well.
Supplying all the room their pitching staff would need with a monster second inning were the Tech bats. Freshman designated hitter Matt Whitcomb kicked things off with a four-pitch walk while shortstop Preston Steele followed by earning a seven-pitch free pass.
Alabama A&M managed to induce a pair of flyouts before the Golden Eagles ignited a two-out rally that would all but put the game out of reach. On the first pitch he saw of the frame, left fielder Austin Turner ripped a triple to right field to plate the first two runs of the contest.
An error at third base led to another run scoring off the bat of right fielder Theo Bryant IV, but things were just getting started. Catcher Hayden Gilliland singled up the middle to make it a 4-0 Tech lead and center field Nicho Jordan kept the train running with an RBI triple to right-center field.
Following a walk to second baseman Troy Baunsgard, Whitcomb took his second trip to the dish in the inning, stepped into the box, and pounded a single through the right side for another Golden Eagle RBI. Steele took a walk to load the bags for the purple and gold before a wild pitch plated Baunsgard for a 7-0 advantage for the visitors.
The Cookeville crew added to the lead in the third, hits time with a pair of extra-base hits. Again delivering a two-out rally, Gilliland crushed a double down the right-field line for his second RBI of the game. Jordan followed with his own RBI double to right field to provide a nine-run cushion.
In the fifth, Tech delivered the final run needed to clinch the early win. After an infield base knock by Bryant and a single through the right side off the bat of Gilliland, Bryant scored on a wild pitch for the 10-0 lead.
On the night, Gilliland led the offensive front behind a 4-for-4 performance, two RBI, and two runs scored. Jordan followed with a three-hit showing and two RBI while Turner turned in a 2-for-3 effort with a pair of ribbies.
The Golden Eagles return to Quillen Field and Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex for an 11-game home stand, starting with a weekend series against Sacred Heart. Tech will open the three-game slate Friday afternoon with a 3:00 p.m. CT first pitch and contests to follow on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
File photo by Drew Mattox
