By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech ace Landon Smiddy was recognized as the Ohio Valley Conference Pitcher of the Week for the second time in his career and this season, as announced by the league Monday afternoon.
Smiddy delivered the program's first nine-inning, complete-game shutout since Alex Hursey twirled one over Belmont back on May 6, 2018, blanking Lindenwood in Friday night's series opener in St. Charles, Mo. The senior blanked the Lions over nine frames, striking out 10 batters while scattering three hits and five walks.
The ETSU transfer worked himself out of a couple of jams in the middle innings. Lindenwood put runners on second and third with nobody out in the bottom of the fourth, looking to finally break through, but Tech's Friday guy responded by striking out back-to-back batters and forcing an inning-ending ground out.
He turned down another threat in the sixth after issuing a pair of one-out walks. With two outs, Smiddy plunked a Lindenwood batter to load the bases to create a harrowing moment. The veteran gathered himself and used three pitches to end the inning with his fifth punch-out of the night.
The right-hander fanned the next two Lion batters to open the seventh, one in the eighth, and two more in the ninth to shut the door. Smiddy held Lindenwood hitless from the two-out mark in the first until the lead-off batter of the eighth.
Smiddy's second weekly honor marks the fourth OVC Pitcher of the Week nod presented to a Golden Eagle hurler this season, with fellow weekend starter Peyton Calitri also taking home two accolades on the year. It marks the first time since 2018 that Tech has captured four Pitcher of the Week awards and ties the program record for a season, matched by the 2010, 2017, and 2018 squads.
The Golden Eagles will complete their five-game road swing Wednesday evening, heading to Murfreesboro, Tenn. for a rematch with in-state rival Middle Tennessee at 6:00 p.m. CT. Tech topped the Blue Raiders 11-9 back on Apr. 3 in Cookeville.
Photo by Jim Dillon
