By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech baseball team makes its return to Murfreesboro for a rematch with in-state foe Middle Tennessee Wednesday evening, competing with the Blue Raiders in a 6:00 p.m. CT tilt at Reese Smith Jr. Field.
The contest is scheduled to be streamed on ESPN+.
THE SERIES
Wednesday's tilt marks the 196th match-up since 1949 between the two programs, with the Blue Raiders owning a 124-69-2 lead in the series. Middle Tennessee had won four straight in the series prior to Tech's triumph in the first meeting between the in-state rivals earlier in the month.
Following a two-hour weather delay back on Apr. 2, the Golden Eagles overcame a five-run deficit to top their rival to the west in a back-and-forth, 11-9 affair at Quillen Field and Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex. Trailing 7-2 heading into the bottom of the fourth, Tech's offense went to work, scoring four runs in the frame, two more in the sixth, and a very important three insurance markers in the eighth.
LAST TIME OUT
Tech heads into its midweek match-up after performing a master class in pitching at Lindenwood over the weekend, earning another Ohio Valley Conference series win with a pair of wins in St. Charles, Mo. Behind the OVC Pitcher of the Week Landon Smiddy's complete-game, nine-inning shutout in the opener, Tech earned a 4-0 decision to set the tone early. The senior fanned 10 while allowing just three hits in his longest career outing and first nine-inning shutout by a Golden Eagle since Alex Hursey in 2018.
Fellow ace Peyton Calitri followed by blanking the Lions through six more frames in the game, ultimately allowing just a single run after seven innings of work and six punchouts. Jaxson Pease closed out the final two innings for a 3-1 Tech win and his second save of the year. Lindenwood salvaged a victory with a 5-3 decision on Sunday.
TEAM NOTES
Known historically under the watch of long-time head coach Matt Bragga as one of the premier, home-run slugging programs in the country year in and year out, this year's Golden Eagles squad sports a slightly different look on offense. The 2024 edition still ranks third in the OVC in long balls, but it's been the patience and speed that has shined during the season.
Heading into the weekend, the Golden Eagles ranked tied for fourth in the nation in triples as a team, boasting 17 so far on the year. Tech also ranked 26th nationally in walks, drawing 201 this year to lead the OVC.
Left fielder Austin Turner paces the group with a whopping 39 in 36 games, tying for eighth nationally. Boasting 112 in his Tech career, he now ranks seventh in program history for walks, boasting one more than current teammate and Golden Eagle catcher Hayden Gilliland. Turner's eight career triples rank eighth in program history.
Turner and shortstop Tanner Shiver are both tied for 14th in the nation with four triples each. Peyton Calitri has been special on the bump, ranking third nationally with a strikeout/walk ratio of 12.20, fanning 61 batters with just five free passes on the year.
Tech head coach Matt Bragga is starting to climb the OVC's all-time coaching wins list, closing in on sixth place. Bragga and TTU Sports Hall of Famer David Mays represent the only pair of coaches from the same school to rank in the league's top eight of OVC wins.
- Gary McClure, Austin Peay (1988-2015) 847
- Johnny Reagan, Murray State (1958-93) 776
- Jim Ward, Eastern Kentucky (1980-01) 628
- Jim Case, Jacksonville State (2004-21) 564
- David Mays, Tennessee Tech (1974-98) 554
- Mark Hogan, Southeast Missouri (1995-12) 526
- Matt Bragga, Tennessee Tech (2004-18, 22-present) 519
- Jim Schmitz, Eastern Illinois (1997-15) 480
- John Stanford, Middle Tennessee (1974-87) 402
- Steve Peterson, Middle Tennessee (1988-00) 401
THE OPPONENT
Middle Tennessee comes into Wednesday's action after falling twice in its three-game series against Conference USA opponent New Mexico State over the weekend in Murfreesboro. The visiting Aggies took the bread games, outlasting the Blue Raiders in a 15-12, 11-inning barn burner in the opener.
New Mexico State attempted a massive comeback in game two, scoring six runs over the final two frames before Middle Tennessee closed the door for a 10-9 victory and a sigh of relief. The Aggies left no doubt in the rubber game on Sunday, cruising to a 9-1 win to take the series.
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Current Midweek Schedule
Wednesday, Apr. 17 | 6:00 p.m. CT | at Middle Tennessee
TENNESSEE TECH GOLDEN EAGLES
2024 Record: 22-14
2024 OVC Record: 8-4
Head Coach: Matt Bragga
TTU: 519-467-2 (18th Season)
Career: 570-543-3 (21st Season)
STATS LEADERS
AVG: Hayden Gilliland (.346)
2B: Troy Baunsgard (14)
3B: Tanner Shiver / Austin Turner (4)
HR: 3 players tied (7)
RBI: Hayden Gilliland (38)
R: Austin Turner (41)
BB: Austin Turner (39)
SLG%: Tanner Shiver (.673)
OB%: Nicho Jordan (.477)
SB: Austin Turner (16)
ERA: Peyton Calitri (1.95)*
W: Peyton Calitri (6)
APP: 3 players tied (12)
IP: Peyton Calitri (60.0)
K: Peyton Calitri (61)
BAA: Peyton Calitri (.218)*
SV: Jack Erdman (3)
* minimum 1.0 innings pitcher per team game played
MIDDLE TENNESSEE BLUE RAIDERS
2024 Record: 12-22
2024 C-USA Record: 4-8
Head Coach: Jerry Meyers
MT: 39-51 (1st Season)
Career: 206-209 (8th Season)
STATS LEADERS
AVG: Briggs Rutter (.373)
2B: Briggs Rutter (10)
3B: Briggs Rutter / Luke Vinson (3)
HR: Briggs Rutter (9)
RBI: Briggs Rutter (35)
R: Briggs Rutter (40)
BB: Briggs Rutter (19)
SLG%: Briggs Rutter (.694)
OB%: Briggs Rutter (.455)
SB: Eston Snider / Luke Vinson (9)
ERA: Chandler Alderman (4.05)*
W: Patrick Johnson / James Sells (3)
APP: Justin Lee / Cole Torbett (14)
IP: James Sells (40.2)
K: Chandler Alderman (44)
BAA: Chandler Alderman (.228)*
SV: Cole Torbett (2)
* minimum 1.0 innings pitcher per team game played
Photo by Jim Dillon
