By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech baseball team welcomes in its fourth different opponent during its 11-game home stand Tuesday afternoon, hosting Alabama A&M in a midweek rematch at 3:00 p.m. CT at Quillen Field and Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex.
With rain in the forecast, fans are encouraged to check TTUSports.com and Tennessee Tech social media for any potential updates/changes to this week's schedule.
The purple and gold enter the week after playing in front of two of the largest crowds to pack the Quill in nearly nine years. More than 1,900 fans stuffed the stands between Saturday and Sunday's tilts with Notre Dame.
The Fighting Irish pulled away in Friday's series opener for a 14-3 win, despite a 5-3 score heading into the eighth inning. Tech burst out front on Saturday, holding a 9-3 advantage before Notre Dame rallied to take the contest 15-11.
Once again on Sunday, the Golden Eagle bats went to work, responding to a two-run first from the Irish to plate a whopping nine runs in the opening frame, with each of the first 10 batters reaching for the purple and gold. Notre Dame responded again, coming all the way back for a 14-11 victory.
Tuesday's tilt in Cookeville represents the 21st meeting all-time between the programs, with the Golden Eagles boasting a dominant, 19-1 lead in the series. Tech has outscored Alabama A&M 262-68 in the previous 20 contests, including a 10-0 decision in seven innings in Huntsville two ago.
In the affair, freshman Eli Huddleston picked up the win after 3.0 innings of scoreless work on the hill, allowing just a single hit in the second frame. Juan Vargas, Brody Lanham, and Nick Vaccaro combined to hold the Bulldogs without a base runner over the final four frames.
Tech's offense pounded out seven runs in the second inning to provide the necessary lead. Catcher Hayden Gilliland finished the day 4-for-4 with a pair of RBI while center fielder Nicho Jordan turned in a 3-for-4 day with two ribbies. Left fielder Austin Turner also drove in a pair on two hits in three at-bats.
Alabama A&M comes into Tuesday's action following three losses at New Orleans over the weekend. The Bulldogs dropped a close one on Saturday, 4-2, sandwiched by a pair of 14-4 defeats in seven innings on both Friday and Sunday.
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Current Weekend Schedule
Tuesday, Mar. 5 | 3:00 p.m. CT | vs. Alabama A&M
TENNESSEE TECH GOLDEN EAGLES
2024 Record: 6-5
2024 OVC Record: 0-0
Head Coach: Matt Bragga
TTU: 503-458-2 (18th Season)
Career: 554-534-3 (21st Season)
STATS LEADERS
AVG: Hayden Gilliland (.425)
2B: Troy Baunsgard (4)
3B: 3 players tied (2)
HR: Preston Steele (4)
RBI: Preston Steele (14)
R: 3 players tied (13)
BB: Austin Turner (16)
SLG%: Preston Steele (.677)
OB%: Hayden Gilliland (.549)
SB: Austin Turner (4)
ERA: Peyton Calitri (2.60)*
W: Peyton Calitri (2)
APP: Brody Lanham / Jaxson Pease (4)
IP: Peyton Calitri (17.1)
K: Peyton Calitri (14)
BAA: Peyton Calitri (.206)*
SV: Jack Erdman (2)
* minimum 1.0 innings pitcher per team game played
ALABAMA A&M BULLDOGS
2024 Record: 2-9
2024 SWAC Record: 0-0
Head Coach: Elliott Jones
AAMU: 39-98 (4th Season)
Career: Same
STATS LEADERS
AVG: Tristan Curless (.324)
2B: Dre Amaral (3)
3B: 3 players tied (1)
HR: Tristan Curless (2)
RBI: Tristan Curless (11)
R: 3 players tied (7)
BB: Kylan Duncan (7)
SLG%: Tristan Curless (.618)
OB%: Blake Martin (.438)
SB: Brycen Hammonds (4)
ERA: Anthony Mateo (7.31)*
W: Evan Hurlburt / Charlie Lazo (1)
APP: Ryan Jones / Trey Scott (4)
IP: Anthony Mateo (16.0)
K: Evan Hurlburt (14)
BAA: Evan Hurlburt (.255)*
SV: None
Photo by Jim Dillon
