May 26, 2011
Golden Eagles stopped by top-seeded Govs at OVC Tournament
Tennessee Tech was halted by top-seeded Austin Peay Thursday night in the OVC Baseball Tournament, falling 2-1 despite a strong effort on the hill by Golden Eagle starter Matthew Shepherd. Tech will face the winner of the UT Martin/Southeast Missouri game Friday, at 3 p.m.
JACKSON, Tenn. -- Thursday evening’s game featured a pitcher’s duel that ultimately favored the Austin Peay Govs, as they took the 2-1 decision in front of 740 fans at Pringles Park.
The Ohio Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year Jeremy Dobbs
lived up to his award as he won his ninth contest of the season
striking out five batters in eight innings. Dobbs was nearly
matched by Tech starter Matthew Shepherd and Nick Price, who gave
up a combined two runs, while striking out eight batters.
“It was a great college baseball game,” head coach
Matt Bragga said. “Both teams played hard and there was great
pitching on both sides. I really tip my hat to Dobbs, who was
dominant and phenomenal.”
As in their game against Eastern Kentucky, the Golden Eagles
loaded the bases in the first inning, but were unable to capitalize
on the early opportunity as Dobbs got out of the jam.
Evan Frazier led off the top of the second inning with a walk,
but Dobbs recovered quickly as he proceeded to set down the next 14
Tech batters, a streak that was finally broken by Casanova
Donaldson’s walk with two outs in the sixth inning.
While Golden bats were struggling against Dobbs, the APSU bats
were finding it equally difficult against Shepherd. Shepherd
allowed a pair of base runners to reach in the first two innings,
but managed to get out of both predicaments.
The Govs finally broke through offensively as they tagged
Shepherd with a run in both the third and fourth innings to take
the lead at 2-0.
With two on and two out in the bottom of the fifth, Shepherd
was lifted for Nick Price who struck out Tyler Childress to end the
threat.
In the top of the seventh the Golden Eagles finally broke
through, as Ben Burgess led off the inning with a double to left
field, and was driven in by an RBI-double off the bat of Zach
Stephens to bring the Golden Eagles within one at 2-1.
Zephen Guyer was sent in to pinch run for Stephens and
advanced to third off a sacrifice bunt from a pinch hitting Trice
Powers. The Golden Eagles then put on the squeeze play as Devin
Rivers laid down the bunt, but a heads-up play by Dobbs caught
Guyer at the plate to keep the score locked at 2-1.
The score remained 2-1 into the top of the ninth, as Dobbs was
lifted after giving up a lead-off single to Chad Oberacker, for
Austin Peay closer Ryne Harper. Oberacker advanced to second on a
groundout from Burgess, but Harper got the final two outs to
complete his eighth save of the season.
Shepherd was saddled with the loss as he fell to 4-7 on the
season, while Dobbs improved to 9-2.
Tech will square off against the winner of the UT
Martin/Southeast Missouri game Friday, at 3 p.m.
Cookeville Country 1600 AM will broadcast the games, and those
broadcasts can also be heard via Free Teamline on the Internet or
the telephone. If Tech plays any night games, the broadcasts will
be on B Rock 93.7 FM. Brandon Goodwin and Grant Swallows will be
calling the action.
To listen via Teamline, click on the link here or on TTUsport.com and select baseball. To
listen on the telephone, call 800-846-4700 and select team code
0654.
A live webstream of all of the OVC Tournament games will also be
available through OVCsports.TV. The webcast of Tech's opening round
game Wednesday against Eastern Kentucky will feature the Tech radio
broadcast for it's audio.
To view livestats click here
To view webstream click here
Members of the TTU athletic department will be tailgating
outside Pringles Park beginning at 1 p.m. BBQ chicken will be
served along with drinks and snacks free of charge and fans are
encouraged to come on out and partake in the fun.
