Guyear caps ninth inning rally, lifts Golden Eagles to 6-5 win over ETSU
Freshman Zephan Guyear delivered a one-out, bases loaded single in the bottom of the ninth to lift the Golden Eagles to an exciting 6-5 victory over East Tennessee State Wednesday night in Bush Stadium.
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Tech got clutch performances from
several players Wednesday night, but none was bigger than freshman
Zephan Guyear's two-run single in the bottom of the ninth that
lifted the Golden Eagles to a 6-5, come-from-behind victory over
East Tennessee State.
After the Bucs (10-4) had shocked Tech with three runs in the top
of the eighth to take a 5-4 lead, the Golden Eagles left the bases
loaded in the bottom of the eighth.
The Golden Eagles loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth, and
Guyear stroked a single through the middle to score Seth Edwards
and Casanova Donaldson for the victory.
The Golden Eagles (9-8) got hits from eight of the nine spots in
the lineup, including a double and home run from junior A.J.
Kirby-Jones. Guyear and Tate McMillan also had two hits apiece as
coach Matt Bragga's team collected 11 hits in the contest.
It didn't begin that way.
Tech was shut down early by ETSU starter Josh Means, who didn't
allow a hit until Ben Burgess singled to lead off the fifth inning.
The Golden Eagles had a couple of base runners early, but the Bucs
defense came up with a pair of double plays to end any TTU
threats.
Meanwhile, Andrew Green led of the top of the third with a solo
home run to put the Bucs on top 1-0, and they added a second run in
the inning on an RBI single by Paul Hoilman.
Tech finally reached Means in the sixth as McMillan singled to
open the frame and Kirby-Jones pounded his ninth home run deep into
the darkness beyond the left field fence to tie the contest. The
Golden Eagles moved on top, 3-2, as Edwards singled and stole
second, moved to third on a throwing error and scored on Guyear's
sacrifice fly.
Tech took the 3-2 lead into the eighth, but two walks to open the
frame and a passed ball sent Bragga to the bullpen for closer Ryan
Hopkins to work out of the jam. He got the first out with a
strikeout, but Hoilman poked his eighth home run of the season to
left center and ETSU was up 5-4.
Tech loaded the bases with two hits and an error in the eighth,
but Bo Burton got a strikeout to end the rally and preserve the
lead.
Stephen Pryor (2-1) pitched a strong ninth for the Golden Eagles,
coaxing two strikeouts in the frame, and the Golden Eagles rewarded
him with the win by plating the winning runs in their final
chance.
Kirby-Jones led off with a line drive double to the left field gap
and Edwards was hit by a pitch. Donaldson laid down a bunt in front
of the plate and beat it out for a single to load the bases.
ETSU third baseman Bo Reeder, playing in his hometown, came up
with a strong defensive play by throwing out Kirby-Jones at the
plate on a hard-to-handle grounder. That brought Guyear to the
plate and he delivered the game-winning single.
Nick Price worked the first four innings for the Golden Eagles,
striking out out two and scattering six hits while alowing two
runs. Chad Oberacker threw three middle innings, allowing just one
hit. He walked one and struck out two, but was charged with two
runs in the eighth.
For ETSU, Means worked five innings and allowed four hits and
three runs. He walked three and struck out two. Scott McNally
pitched two innings, allowing one run and two hits, with one walk
and one strikeout. Bo Burton (0-1) took the loss, pitching 1.1
innings and yielding two runs and five hits with two
strikeouts.
Winners of four of their last five games, the Golden Eagles head
to the University of Memphis for a three-game series this weekend
against the Tigers.
