By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – An eighth-inning rally wasn't enough for the Tennessee Tech baseball team to earn the win Tuesday evening, as the Golden Eagles fell in a 6-5 heartbreaker at in-state rival Austin Peay.
In a stark difference from last week's match-up between the two former Ohio Valley Conference foes, a 13-3 win for the Governors (19-7) in eight innings in Cookeville, Tuesday's meeting turned into an instant classic, with clutch offense and timely pitching controlling the narrative.
Austin Peay was quick on the attack in the affair, scoring twice in the opening frame on the power of a two-run home run to center field off the bat of Cameron Nickens. The next four frames were a straight pitcher's duel, with both sides trading zeroes on the scoreboard.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Govs struck again with the long ball, this time smacking a two-run shot to left-center field to double the lead to 4-0. Austin Peay continued to lean on starter Chance Cox through a scoreless seventh and into the eighth, but the Golden Eagles (18-8) finally broke through on the Gov hurler.
Third baseman Preston Steele drew a one-out walk, and shortstop Owen Lee followed with a seven-pitch free pass of his own. Catcher Mack Whitcomb put the purple and gold on the board thanks to an RBI single to left-center field, finally putting a dent in the home lead.
Next up at the dish for the Cookeville crew, right fielder Jorsixt Jimenez delivered a clutch knock, singling to right field to load the bases and prompt a pitching change for the Govs. Kade Shatwell entered the contest and forced a ground out to designated hitter Ryan Lee, but the Tech slugger was productive with the out, driving in another Golden Eagle run to make it a 4-2 ball game.
Fresh off of winning OVC Player of the Week on Monday following a monster weekend at Little Rock, left fielder Nicho Jordan continued his hot play with the biggest swing of the night for the purple and gold. The senior worked a full count before depositing a game-tying, two-run base hit to right field.
Knotted at 4-4 with two outs and a runner on first, Tech head coach Matt Bragga turned to Riley Black as a pinch hitter, and the newcomer answered the bell. Patiently filling the count at 3-2, the first baseman slashed a double to left field, driving in Jordan all the way from first and giving the Golden Eagles their first lead of the night at 5-4.
The Govs pushed for a rally of their own in the bottom of the frame, taking advantage of a Tech defensive miscue to flip the score back in their favor. With two outs and runners on first and second, Austin Peay's Keaton Cottam reached on an error by the Golden Eagle infield, allowing the tying run to cross the plate safely.
The error also extended the inning long enough for Kyler Proctor to earn the game-winning RBI, with the Gov second baseman ripping an RBI single to center field on the first pitch he saw to put his team back on top, 6-5. Houston High took the mound for the Golden Eagles and escaped the frame without further damage, giving Tech one last chance at changing the outcome.
The Cookeville crew didn't go down without a fight, despite recording a pair of quick outs to open the top of the ninth. Owen Lee reached first safely after Austin Peay closer Kaleb Applebey couldn't handle the Tech shortstop's ground ball properly, keeping the door open for the purple and gold.
Lee then reached second base on a passed ball, putting the tying run in scoring position with Whitcomb battling at the plate. Working a full count, Whitcomb just missed on a fastball up in the zone from Applebey, bringing a tough ending to the contest for the visitors from Cookeville.
Jimenez, Ryan Lee, and Jordan each tallied two hits for the Golden Eagles in the ball game, with Jordan leading the way with two RBI. Freshman Logan Moller was brilliant out of the bullpen in the fourth and fifth frames, completing 2.0 innings with four strikeouts without allowing a baserunner.
Garrett Holpuch covered 0.2 innings to get Tech out of a jam in the sixth, while Kevin Matos turned in a scoreless seventh frame with two punch-outs.
The Golden Eagles will return to Cookeville to host OVC rival SIUE in a battle of the league's only unbeaten squads this weekend, opening the three-game set on Friday evening at 6:00 p.m. CT at Quillen Field and Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex. Game two of the series is set for a 2:00 p.m. start on Saturday, while Sunday's finale will feature a 1:00 p.m. first pitch.
All three contests will be streamed live on ESPN+, with Dylan Vazzano on the call throughout the weekend. Admission to all Tech baseball games is free of charge. Fans are encouraged to check TTUSports.com and Tennessee Tech social media for any potential updates to this week's schedule.
Friday and Saturday will represent OVC Championship Recognition Weekend for the Golden Eagles, honoring the program's alumni and championship squads celebrating milestone anniversaries. In addition to a celebration of all Tech baseball alumni, the OVC Championship teams of 1955, 1970, and 2010 will receive special recognition at both Friday's and Saturday's baseball games.
The 1955 squad is celebrating the 70th anniversary of their OVC championship run, while the 1970 title-winning team is celebrating its 55th anniversary. Celebrating its 15th anniversary is the 2010 team, which won the OVC regular-season crown.
File photo by Betty Myers
