By Jeff Bowe, TTU Athletics Media Relations
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee State erupted for eight runs over the final three innings to hand Tennessee Tech an 11-1 loss in eight innings Tuesday afternoon at Reese Smith Jr. Field.
The Golden Eagles were limited to three hits and pushed across their lone run in the sixth inning, but the Blue Raiders broke the game open late with a pair of home runs in the seventh and added another run in the eighth to end it early.
GOLDEN BATS
- Jackson Rooker hit a double, finishing 1-for-3 with a walk.
- Eddie Garza reached once by a hit during his 1-for-3 performance.
- Owen Lee went 1-for-4.
- The Golden Eagles found their way on base six times via the walk.
EAGLES' WINGS
- Despite the loss, Braxton Lewis allowed one earned run on two hits, striking out one.
- Tech used six pitchers over the 7-inning game.
Tennessee Tech (5-4) threatened early, putting runners in scoring position in the second inning when Eddie Garza walked, and Jackson Rooker doubled, but Middle Tennessee starter Abel Albarran escaped the jam without damage. The Blue Raiders struck first in the second inning on an RBI single by Clay Badylak.
Middle Tennessee added two runs in the fifth on an RBI single by Brett Vondohlen and a sacrifice fly from Tyler Minnick to make it 3-0. Tech answered in the top of the sixth when Garza reached on a wild pitch that allowed Jorsixt Jimenez to score from third, trimming the deficit to 3-1.
That was as close as the Golden Eagles would get. The Blue Raiders responded immediately with a solo home run from Dean O'Neill in the bottom of the sixth, then broke the game open in the seventh with a five-run inning that included a two-run homer by Brett Rogers and another solo shot from O'Neill.
Tennessee Tech starter Braxton Lewis took the loss, allowing one run over two innings. Five Tech pitchers combined to give up 14 hits. Rooker recorded Tech's lone extra-base hit with a double, and the Golden Eagles drew six walks but stranded 10 runners.
NEXT UP
The Golden Eagles host UIC, Alabama A&M, and Notre Dame in the Holiday Inn Classic at Bush Stadium this weekend. The first pitch of the weekend opener against UIC is on Friday at 4 p.m. CT.
