By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech baseball team continues its stretch of eight road games in nine contests on Friday evening, kicking off a three-game weekend series in Macon, Ga. with a 5:00 p.m. CT affair at Mercer.
Game two of the series will feature a 1:00 p.m. CT first pitch while the series finale will open at noon on Sunday. The third game of the series is scheduled to be streamed on ESPN+ on Sunday.
THE SERIES
Tuesday's match-up represents the 19th meeting between the two ball clubs in the all-time series, with the Bears holding a slight, 9-8-1 lead. Mercer also owns a 5-3-1 advantage when competing in Macon, Ga.
The two programs have not squared off since the 1997 campaign when the two competed in a home-and-home midweek series. Tech captured the win in the contest in Cookeville on Apr. 9, powering its way to an 8-2 decision.
In the return to Mercer, the Bears saw the tables turn dramatically, exploding for an 18-5 win.
CLIMBING THE LEADERBOARD
Four-time Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year Matt Bragga is back for his 19th overall season at the helm of the Golden Eagle program and fourth after making his return to Cookeville in 2022. The Tech legend is starting to climb the OVC's all-time coaching wins list, currently ranked sixth 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) | 540 | ||
| 7. | 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 |
PRESEASON OUTLOOK
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.
During its 2025 OVC Season Preview, D1baseball.com selected southpaw Jared Herzog as the No. 1 prospect in the league for the 2025 MLB Draft while outfielder Jorsixt Jimenez was ranked 11th. The D1baseball crew listed catcher Mack Whitcomb as the No. 2 prospect from the OVC for the 2026 MLB Draft, right-handed pitcher Jack Brafa No. 7 and right-handed hurler Juan Vargas No. 9. Rookie righty Carter Casabella was selected as an Impact Freshman, sitting at No. 10.
LAST TIME OUT
The Golden Eagles enter the midweek battle with five straight wins under their belts, backed by an impressive showing at Middle Tennessee on Tuesday. Tech opened the streak with a 16-3 win in eight innings at Belmont last Wednesday and finished off a three-game sweep of Purdue Fort Wayne last weekend.
In Tuesday's battle in Murfreesboro, the purple and gold had the bats singing to the tune of 10 hits and a 13-3, run-rule victory in seven innings. Four Tech pitchers limited the Blue Raiders to just six hits and one earned run while issuing only one free pass.
Shortstop Owen Lee led the way offensively with a historic showing at the plate, tying a program record by belting three home runs as part of a 3-for-4 day with four RBI and four runs scored. Carter Vrabel added on a three-run double and Jorsixt Jimenez drew three walks while smashing a long ball for a 2-for-2 performance with three runs.
THE OPPONENT
The Bears come into the weekend following a pair of tough home losses during the midweek, falling in a pair of two-run ball games to Alabama State and Kennesaw State. On Tuesday, Mercer rallied to tie the ball game with ASU at 5-5 in the bottom of the seventh, but the Hornets answered back with two in the eighth and held on for a 7-5 win.
In Wednesday's match-up with in-state rival Kennesaw State, Mercer built a 3-2 lead heading into the seventh inning, but the bullpen couldn't hold on. The visiting Owls scored once in each of the final three frames to earn a 5-3 victory.
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Current Weekend Schedule
Friday, Mar. 14 | 5:00 p.m. CT | at Mercer
Saturday, Mar. 15 | 1:00 p.m. CT | at Mercer
Sunday, Mar. 16 | 12:00 p.m. CT | at Mercer
TENNESSEE TECH GOLDEN EAGLES
2025 Record: 14-4
2025 OVC Record: 0-0
Head Coach: Matt Bragga
TTU: 540-483-2 (19th Season)
Career: 591-559-3 (22nd Season)
STATS LEADERS
AVG: Mack Whitcomb (.339)
2B: Preston Steele / Whitcomb (5)
3B: Jackson Green / Whitcomb (1)
HR: Owen Lee / Whitcomb (4)
RBI: Whitcomb (21)
R: O. Lee (18)
BB: Jorsixt Jimenez (13)
SLG%: Whitcomb (.645)
OB%: Whitcomb (.468)
SB: Green / Nicho Jordan (4)
ERA: Patrick Johnson (0.00)
W: 3 players tied (3)
APP: Drew Mattox (7)
IP: Jaxson Pease (25.1)
K: Pease (23)
BAA: Jaxon Pridgen (.095)
SV: Reece McDuffie (3)
MERCER BEARS
2025 Record: 12-6
2025 SOCON Record: 0-0
Head Coach: Craig Gibson
MU: 705-485 (22nd Season)
Career: Same
STATS LEADERS
AVG: Bradley Frye (.436)
2B: Ty Dalley (9)
3B: Parker Lester (2)
HR: Dalley / Frye (5)
RBI: Dalley (23)
R: Ely Brown (22)
BB: Brown (19)
SLG%: Frye (.731)
OB%: Brown / Frye (.494)
SB: Brant Baughcum / Frye (4)
ERA: Terry Busse (0.93)
W: 3 players tied (2)
APP: Jeb Johnson (9)
IP: Colton Cosper (20.0)
K: Jess Ackerman (22)
BAA: Busse (.063)
SV: Busse (4)
Photo by Betty Myers
