March 30, 2010

Golden Eagle fans to paint Knoxville purple when Tech meets Vols

The Tennessee Tech Alumni Association is hoping to turn Tennessee's Lindsey Nelson Stadium from orange to purple Tuesday night when the Golden Eagle baseball team invades to challenge the Vols in a game at 6 p.m. CDT.

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Tech Alumni Association is hoping Golden Eagle fans can turn Tennessee's Lindsey Nelson Stadium from orange to purple Tuesday night when the Golden Eagle baseball team invades for a 6 p.m. (CDT) game against the Volunteers.

Tech fans and alumni are encouraged to wear purple and gold and enjoy a complimentary hotdog and drink while cheering for the Golden Eagles. The cost is $5 per person, which includes the game ticket and complimentary food and beverage. To participate in the event, please call (800) 889-8730 or (931) 372-3205.

Junior lefty Chad Oberacker is scheduled to start for the Golden Eagles, who enter the game with an 11-13 overall record after droping two-of-three last weekend to SIU Edwardsville. Oberacker is 0-1 with a 6.28 ERA this season.

Tennessee enters with an identical 11-13 overall record after being swept in conference action by LSU. Aaron Tullo is scheduled to be on the hill for Vols, coming into the contest without a decision and a 4.50 ERA.

Tennessee won last year's meeting between these two squads, 7-5, in Knoxville. The Golden Eagles captured the game the year before, taking a 9-7 decision in Cookeville in 2008.

Oberacker owns the top batting average on the Golden Eagle squad. He's hitting .438 with a team-high 29 runs scored in 24 games and a team-leading eight stolen bases. Oberacker has 12 doubles and is second on the squad with 28 RBI.

Junior A.J.Kirby-Jones, who hails from Knoxville, is batting .429 and leads the nation with 14 home runs. He has driven in 40 runs in 24 games.

Tennessee is led by P.J. Polk with a .333 batting average. Cody Hawn owns a .300 avarage to rank second on the team. He leads IUT with four home runs and is tied for team honors with 19 RBI.

Following their game at UT, the Golden Eagles open Ohio Valley Conference play this weekend with a three-game series at Jacksonville State Friday and Saturday.