By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – A pitchers' duel from start to finish, Friday's Ohio Valley Conference series-opening contest between the Tennessee Tech baseball team and Lindenwood went in favor of the visitors, as the Lions edged the Golden Eagles at Quillen Field and Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex 1-0.
Tech (32-18, 14-8) received a brilliant effort on the mound from starter Jaxson Pease, who tossed 6.1 innings while limiting Lindenwood (26-24, 13-8) to just four hits and a walk. The junior right-hander struck out five Lion batters, surrendering the lone run of the ball game in the third.
Lindenwood shortstop Evan Funkhouser snuck a double down the third-base line, as the ball snuck into left field after clipping off the glove of a diving Preston Steele. Lion left fielder Tanner Simpson followed by fighting off a pitch that found space down the left-field line, plating the only marker of the ball game.
Pease scattered two more hits before exiting in the seventh and paving the way for sophomore Jack Brafa on the mound. The right-hander kept the purple and gold in the hunt the rest of the way, completing 2.2 perfect frames out of the bullpen with three punch-outs.
For the visitors from St. Charles, Mo., Josh Newell delivered another stellar showing on the mound to move to a league-leading 9-2 on the year. The four-time OVC Pitcher of the Week fired 7.0 shutout innings while scattering five Golden Eagle hits.
The Cookeville crew appeared to have some momentum building in the bottom of the seventh, picking up a base hit through the left side from right fielder Jackson Green. The senior stole second base to put the tying run in scoring position with just one out, but the Lions picked up a huge double play to get out of the inning.
The Lion's Bennett Stice closed out the ball game, holding the Golden Eagles hitless over the final two frames to earn his third save of the season.
The loss marked the first of the shutout variety for the purple and gold since suffering a 7-0 defeat at Little Rock on May 12, 2023. It was the first 1-0 ball game played by the Golden Eagles since defeating Bowling Green by the same score in the 2023 season opener on Feb. 17. It also marked Tech's first 1-0 loss since falling to Austin Peay by the mark in a seven-inning contest on May 1, 1994.
Game two of the series is currently 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, a possibility 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
