Tech bats lead the way in OVC series-opening win over Southern Indiana
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Everyone was working for the Tennessee Tech baseball team Friday evening, as the Golden Eagles picked up a big, 11-6 victory over Ohio Valley Conference foe Southern Indiana at Quillen Field and Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex behind a sturdy performance across the board.
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 13 | 1 |
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2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | X | 11 | 12 | 0 |
By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Everyone was working for the Tennessee Tech baseball team Friday evening, as the Golden Eagles picked up a big, 11-6 victory over Ohio Valley Conference foe Southern Indiana at Quillen Field and Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex behind a sturdy performance across the board.
The Cookeville crew (22-13, 7-3) tied the visiting Screaming Eagles (16-17, 7-3) at the top of the OVC standings with Friday's victory, along with SIUE (14-18, 7-3), who topped Lindenwood in 14 innings in St. Charles, Mo. The Tech offense set the tone early, providing the pitching staff plenty of room to work on a blustery night at the Quill, with steady winds blowing in from right field.
On a night that saw the purple and gold utilize the two-out rally on a number of occasions, none were bigger than the team's showing in the bottom of the first. The Golden Eagles took advantage of a USI mistake, with catcher Mack Whitcomb reaching first base safely on a wild pitch after striking out for what should have been the third out of the frame.
The head's up base running by the Tech slugger extended the frame to designated hitter Jorsixt Jimenez, who drew a six-pitch walk to pass the torch to center field Nicho Jordan. The senior just missed sending one out of the yard, settling for a two-run double off the top of the wall in right-center field for the early 2-0 lead.
With starter Jack Brafa tossing up a trio of scoreless frames to open the ball game, the Golden Eagle lineup rewarded the sophomore with an even bigger cushion in the third, dropping a six spot to blow the game wide open. After a quick out to open the inning, shortstop Owen Lee made it a 3-0 advantage by belting a solo blast clear over the scoreboard in right field to tie Whitcomb for the team lead with seven long balls on the year.
Whitcomb was plunked three pitches later, and Jimenez followed with a base knock to right field to keep the pressure on. A walk to Jordan loaded the bags before the Screaming Eagles picked up the second out, looking to escape with minimal damage.
First baseman Carter Vrabel had other plans and quickly fulfilled them, ripping a two-run single to left field on a 1-2 count, expanding the Tech lead to 5-0. Second baseman Eddie Garza sent the Golden Eagle dugout in a frenzy two pitches later, hammering a three-run shot well into the night sky in left field for his first round-tripper of the year.
Just like that, the Cookeville crew had an 8-0 lead after just three frames. The visitors from Evansville, Ind. refused to go down without a fight, responding immediately with three runs in the top of the fourth.
The Screaming Eagles tacked on two more in the fifth with a two-run home run down the right-field line, trimming the Tech lead to three at the halfway point. The Golden Eagles answered in kind in the bottom of the fifth, tacking on two runs of their own to the total.
Third baseman Preston Steele singled to right field with one out before Vrabel delivered a fantastic at-bat, fighting back from an 0-2 count to draw a 10-pitch walk. A balk by the USI hurler put the two Golden Eagle runners in scoring position just in time for Garza to drive them in.
The junior continued his hot evening with a two-run single the other way to right-center field, locking down a 10-5 lead. In the bottom of the seventh, Tech added one final tally thanks to a mighty hack from Vrabel. The senior slugger crushed a two-out bomb to left field, circling the bags for the fourth time on the year.
USI attempted to rally one more time in the eighth, gathering one final run before sophomore Juan Vargas took over on the hill with one out and a runner on third. The right-hander struck out the first batter he saw before inducing an inning-ending pop up to third base.
Vargas worked a scoreless ninth as well, working around a walk and a double to finish the night with two more punch-outs. Freshman Carter Casabella earned his second win of the season after completing 3.2 innings out of the bullpen in relief of Brafa, allowing just three runs on five hits while fanning a pair.
Brafa finished 3.2 innings as well on the night, scattering seven hits while allowing just three runs and striking out four.
Garza led the red-hot Tech offense in the contest, finishing 3-for-4 with five RBI and a run scored. Vrabel drove in three on the night, producing a 2-for-3 performance with a walk and three runs scored. Eight different Golden Eagles gathered at least one hit while seven dented the dish at least once.
Game two of the series is 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.
Photo by Jim Dillon
