By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – A gem of a pitching performance and another strong day from the bats were more than enough for the Tennessee Tech baseball team to secure a huge Ohio Valley Conference series win over Southeast Missouri on Saturday, as the Golden Eagles topped the Redhawks at Capaha Field, 7-1.
Senior starter Jared Herzog (2-0) delivered the first complete game for the purple and gold (31-17, 13-7) this season, limiting the SEMO squad (27-20, 13-7) to just a single run while scattering seven hits and four walks. The southpaw struck out four Redhawks while relying on a strong showing from the Tech defense along the way.
It appeared to be a pitcher's duel early on, with Southeast Missouri hurler Sam Heyman matching Herzog with zeroes over the opening two frames. In the third, however, the Golden Eagle offense got to Heyman, giving their starter all the room he'd need to pick up his second win of the year.
With two outs in the frame, center fielder Nicho Jordan drew a four-pitch walk, extending the inning for catcher Mack Whitcomb to drive in the first blow to the Redhawks' chances. After working a full count, the sophomore backstop crushed a two-run blast down the left-field line, circling the bases for the 10th time on the year for a 2-0 Tech lead.
In the bottom of the fourth, the home squad finally landed a punch on Herzog, using a lead-off single and one-out triple to right-center field to plate its first run of the ball game. The Tech lefty responded with a big strikeout and lineout to center field, maintaining the lead long enough for his offense to give him some room to work with.
Jordan provided the first insurance marker for the purple and gold, smashing a solo jack to left field with two outs. The round-tripper marked the senior's eighth of the year.
Herzog pitched around a pair of base hits in the bottom of the fifth, getting a line-drive double play to third base to end the threat. Tech went back to work on the offensive side of the ball, creating another two-out rally in the sixth.
Right fielder Jackson Green peppered a base hit to his SEMO counterpart before stealing second base. Second baseman Eddie Garza then drove him in with a base knock to right-center field. Third baseman Preston Steele doubled the output for the Cookeville crew, slashing an RBI triple to left field for a 5-1 Tech lead.
The Tech defense turned another inning-ending double play in the sixth for their hurler, before tacking on two more insurance runs for good measure in the seventh. Jordan singled to right-center field with one out and stole second before a wild pitch brought the speedster to third. He scored on another wild offering with two outs in the inning.
Designated hitter Jorsixt Jimenez followed with a triple to right field, scoring four pitches later off the bat of Carter Vrabel. The first baseman poked an RBI single up the middle, plating Jimenez for a 7-1 advantage.
SEMO threatened in the eighth with a pair of runners and just one out, but Herzog fought through with a nice play in left field by Smelser and a fielder's choice to end the inning. In the ninth, the Tech starter surrendered a lead-off knock before picking up back-to-back outs.
A Redhawk double put a pair in scoring position with two outs, but Tech head coach Matt Bragga kept his trust in his starter to get the job done. Herzog rewarded the faith, inducing a grounder to shortstop to end the game and seal the pivotal series win.
Green led the Golden Eagles with a 3-for-4 day at the plate while Steele and Jordan each tallied two hits in the contest. Jordan scored a team-high three runs while securing two stolen bases. Whitcomb paced the purple and gold with two RBI. Eight different Tech batters tallied at least one hit.
The series finale is scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. CT first pitch on Sunday afternoon at Capaha Field.
File photo by Jim Dillon
