By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – It was a night that won't be forgotten any time soon at Quillen Field and Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex on Friday, as the Tennessee Tech baseball team turned in an incredible walk-off win in 10 innings to open its Ohio Valley Conference series with UT Martin.
After the contest was moved up to a 3:00 p.m. CT start to try and avoid inclement weather, rain and poor conditions settled in early and forced the tilt to move back to a 6:00 p.m. start. A long day at the ball park only got longer as the two in-state rivals produced an instant classic on the night, with the Golden Eagles (27-16, 10-6) delivering an improbable comeback.
UT Martin (15-25, 6-9) set the tone out of the gate while the rain slowly began to stop, scoring three times in the first three innings for a 3-0 lead. Tech finally broke through on the scoreboard in the fourth, with designated hitter Riley Black providing the first run of the night.
With the bases loaded and one out, the slugger beat out a chopper to first base for an RBI infield single. On the very next pitch, center fielder Nicho Jordan was plunked on the foot by an overactive breaking ball, driving in Tech's second tally of the night.
In the seventh, the Skyhawks led off the frame with a home run to left field, pushing back out by two runs. The Cookeville crew once again had a response, opening the bottom half of the inning with back-to-back walks courtesy of right fielder Jackson Green and catcher Mack Whitcomb.
Black again delivered for the purple and gold following a pitching change, fighting back from an 0-2 count to blast the next pitch nearly out of the ball park. Unfortunately for the home squad, the ball bounded off the top of the wall in center field and back into the field, leaving the senior to settle for an extremely long, RBI single.
The Skyhawks avoided further damage in the inning, stranding three of Tech's 13 batters left on base for the ball game. Moving to the bottom of the eighth, the Golden Eagles came up clutch again, this time to finally square the affair.
The purple and gold took advantage of the first of three late errors by the UT Martin defense, as third baseman Jackson Rooker reached base on a poor throw and advanced to second. The Skyhawks recorded a pair of quick outs before Whitcomb produced another spectacular at-bat.
Working a 2-1 count, the sophomore peppered a single through the left side, scoring the speedy Rooker from second to square the tilt at 4-4. Neither side could get much going in the ninth, with a lead-off single for the Skyhawks eliminated quickly by a perfect throw from Whitcomb to nab a would-be base stealer.
Moving on to the 10th, the Skyhawks were quick to act with a base hit on the first pitch before getting plunked on the next. Tech head coach Matt Bragga went to the bullpen, calling on freshman Logan Moller to limit the damage.
The rookie picked up a quick out before surrendering a knock through the right side that brought home the go-ahead run for the Skyhawks. He rebounded well, however, earning a strikeout and a pop-up to end the inning.
Moving on to the bottom half of the frame, chaos ensued after the visitors from Martin gathered two quick outs and looked well on their way to a series-opening victory. Speedster Jackson Green reached base safely on a fielding error at shortstop, keeping the inning alive for Whitcomb.
The Tech backstop came through again, chopping a base hit to no-man's land in the infield before the Skyhawk pitcher threw the ball away trying to make a desperate throw to first. Green scored the tying run on the play while Whitcomb took an all-important extra base.
With the game suddenly on the line for UT Martin, the Golden Eagles pushed through for the incredible comeback. Black took his turn at the plate and immediately rewarded the fans with the game-winning hit, slashing a single through the left side.
Whitcomb took off from second and sprinted around third base, desperately trying to beat the ensuing throw from left field. While the throw made it to the Skyhawk catcher in what looked to be time to apply the tag and keep the play alive.
Spoiling UT Martin's night, Whitcomb used an impressive swim move while sliding into home plate, narrowly avoiding the outstretched efforts of the Skyhawk backstop and safely denting the dish for the game-winning run. After a lengthy review of the play, the result was confirmed, and the Golden Eagle bench went into a frenzy, chasing Black and Whitcomb for a second time in celebration.
Game two of the weekend series is slated for a 2:00 p.m. CT first pitch on Saturday afternoon at the Quill. Admission to all Tech home baseball games is free of charge.
With inclement weather, including rain, expected in the Cookeville area throughout the weekend, fans are encouraged to check TTUSports.com and Tennessee Tech social media for any potential updates to this weekend's schedule.
Photo by Jim Dillon
