By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech baseball team will officially open the 2025 campaign with a good old-fashioned doubleheader thanks to mother nature, with the Golden Eagles slated to kick off a scheduled, four-game series against the visiting Le Moyne Dolphins starting Friday at 12:00 p.m. CT (noon) at Quillen Field and Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex.
Game two of Friday's season-opening double dip is set for an approximate 3:00 p.m. first pitch. Saturday's contest is currently set for a noon start while Sunday's series finale will feature an 11:00 a.m. first pitch, weather permitting.
With inclement weather expected in the Cookeville and Upper Cumberland regions throughout the weekend, fans are encouraged to check TTUSports.com and Tennessee Tech social media for any potential updates to this weekend's schedule.
THE SERIES
Friday's season opener also marks the first match-up between the two programs all time. Le Moyne is embarking on its second season at the Division I level after making the transition from the Division II level during the summer of 2023.
TEAM NOTES
Four-time Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year Matt Bragga returns for his 19th overall season at the helm of the Golden Eagle program and fourth after making his return to Cookeville in 2022. In 2024, the purple and gold made its ninth straight appearance in the OVC Tournament under the direction of Bragga, finishing the year 29-26 overall and 13-14 in league action.
Bragga is starting to climb the OVC's all-time coaching wins list, currently ranked in a tie for sixth place overall. 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.
| 1. | Gary McClure, Austin Peay (1988-15) | 847 | ||
| 2. | Johnny Reagan, Murray State (1958-93) | 776 | ||
| 3. | Jim Ward, Eastern Kentucky (1980-01) | 628 | ||
| 4. | Jim Case, Jacksonville State (2004-21) | 564 | ||
| 5. | David Mays, Tennessee Tech (1974-98) | 554 | ||
| 6. | Matt Bragga, Tennessee Tech (2004-18, 22-present) | 526 | ||
| Mark Hogan, Southeast Missouri (1995-12) | 526 | |||
| 8. | Jim Schmitz, Eastern Illinois (1997-15) | 480 | ||
| 9. | John Stanford, Middle Tennessee (1974-87) | 402 | ||
| 10. | Steve Peterson, Middle Tennessee (1988-00) | 401 |
The purple and gold were selected to finish third in the OVC in a preseason vote of league head baseball coaches and communications directors, falling behind only defending tournament champion Southeast Missouri and defending regular-season champ Little Rock.
Backed by the league's top pitching staff last season, the Golden Eagles tied for fifth in the final regular season standings while finishing the year 29-26 overall and 13-14 in OVC action. The Golden Eagles return a plethora of arms from last season, led by junior righty Jaxson Pease and a trio of OVC All-Freshman Team members in right-handed sophomores Jack Brafa, Drew Mattox, and Juan Vargas.
With the bats, senior outfielder Nicho Jordan leads the group as Tech's OVC Preseason Player to Watch. The veteran slugger battled through some injury last season, but still enters the 2025 campaign as the team's returning leader in batting average, runs, hits, triples, RBI, slugging percentage, walks, and on-base percentage.
Jordan slashed .275/.418/.458 a year ago, primarily manning center field, but also serving as the team's first baseman during a stretch of injuries at the position. Last season, Jordan accumulated 42 hits and 42 runs while playing 46 of the team's 55 games, driving in 37 behind seven doubles, three triples, and six long balls.
Joining the slugging outfielder as key returners to the lineup include experienced infielders Eddie Garza and Preston Steele, speedy senior outfielder Jackson Green, and another OVC All-Freshman Team honoree in Mack Whitcomb.
The purple and gold boast a healthy crop of new faces for 2025 as well, led by the likes of a strong group of transfers and incoming freshmen. New arms such as Jared Herzog, Garrett Holpuch, Patrick Johnson, and Lucas Vega all expect to make immediate impacts on the mound after transferring to Cookeville, as do outfielder Jorsixt Jimenez and catcher Riley Black with the bats.
Rookie arms Carter Casabella, Logan Moller, and Jaxon Pridgen all highlight an impressive group ready to contribute immediately while the lineup will have plenty of options to choose from on the youth side. Redshirt freshmen Jackson Rooker, Luke Bragga, Owen Lee, and Greyson Madonia hope to build off a year of learning and contribute from opening day.
THE OPPONENT
Kicking off just its second year at the Division I level, Le Moyne will look to build off a relatively successful first season that saw the Dolphins finish 22-27-1 overall and with a 15-17 mark in the Northeast Conference. Located way north in chilly Syracuse, N.Y., the Phins won each of its first three home games last season as Division I competitors, albeit after waiting until Mar. 28 to finally host its first contest.
For the second straight year, Le Moyne will have to wait until Mar. 28 before it can host its first contest at Dick Rockwell Field, with the team's first 20 games of the year slated for the road.
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Current Weekend Schedule
Friday, Feb. 14 | 12:00 p.m. CT | vs. Le Moyne
Friday, Feb. 14 | 3:00 p.m. CT | vs. Le Moyne
Saturday, Feb. 15 | TBA | vs. Le Moyne
Sunday, Feb. 16 | TBA | vs. Le Moyne
TENNESSEE TECH GOLDEN EAGLES
2024 Record: 29-26
2024 OVC Record: 13-14
Head Coach: Matt Bragga
TTU: 526-479-2 (19th Season)
Career: 577-555-3 (22nd Season)
RETURNING STATS LEADERS
AVG: Nicho Jordan (.275)
2B: Eddie Garza (7)
3B: Nicho Jordan (3)
HR: Preston Steele (7)
RBI: Nicho Jordan (37)
R: Nicho Jordan (42)
BB: Nicho Jordan (33)
SLG%: Nicho Jordan (.458)
OB%: Nicho Jordan (.418)
SB: Jackson Green (15)
ERA: Drew Mattox (4.15)
W: Jaxson Pease (6)
APP: Jaxson Pease (19)
IP: Jaxson Pease (60.1)
K: Jaxson Pease (46)
BAA: Drew Mattox (.221)
SV: Jaxson Pease (3)
LE MOYNE DOLPHINS
2024 Record: 22-27-1
2024 NEC Record: 15-17
Head Coach: Scott Cassidy
LEM: 323-252-2 (14th Season)
Career: Same
RETURNING STATS LEADERS
AVG: Mike Whelehan (.300)
2B: Wyatt Patchett (8)
3B: Wyatt Patchett (1)
HR: Wyatt Patchett (12)
RBI: Wyatt Patchett (37)
R: Wyatt Patchett (35)
BB: Wyatt Patchett (32)
SLG%: Wyatt Patchett (.600)
OB%: Wyatt Patchett (.457)
SB: Adam Sullivan (8)
ERA: Max Parker (4.65)
W: Billy Hoffacker / Max Parker (4)
APP: Billy Hoffacker (23)
IP: Max Parker (91.0)
K: Jacob Crystal (73)
BAA: Jack Cannon (.273)
SV: Billy Hoffacker (3)
Photo by Drew Mattox
