Golden Eagles swipe midweek victory over USC Upstate, Wednesday tilt moved to 11 AM
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Strong pitching, patience at the plate, and elite collective effort on the basepaths lifted the Tennessee Tech baseball team to an 8-2 victory over visiting USC Upstate on Tuesday evening in the first contest of a two-game, midweek series at Quillen Field and Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex.
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
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0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 0 |
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0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | X | 8 | 7 | 0 |
By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Strong pitching, patience at the plate, and elite collective effort on the basepaths lifted the Tennessee Tech baseball team to an 8-2 victory over visiting USC Upstate on Tuesday evening in the first contest of a two-game, midweek series at Quillen Field and Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex.
The Golden Eagles (25-16) swiped a season-high seven bases and drew an impressive nine walks in the contest, constantly applying pressure on the Spartan pitching staff throughout the evening. Tech's seven steals tied for the second-most in a single game in program history, representing the fifth time the Cookeville crew managed seven and the first time since accomplishing the feat at UT Martin on May 15, 2021.
Four members of the Tech pitching staff combined to limit a potent USC Upstate (21-20) offense to just six hits and two runs, starting with freshman Logan Moller. Making his first collegiate start, the rookie tossed up three consecutive zeroes to open the ball game.
The Spartans finally got to the youngster in the fourth, taking advantage of a hit-by-pitch with one out. Johnny Sweeney put the visitors on top three pitches later, cracking a two-run moon shot to right field for the early 2-0 lead.
The purple and gold immediately backed up their starter, working together a five-run bottom of the fourth. Playing first base for the first time this season, Nicho Jordan led off the frame with a walk and stole second for one of his two swipes on the night. Second baseman Eddie Garza followed with a walk of his own, prompting a pitching change.
Right fielder Luke Bragga laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position, setting up shortstop Owen Lee for the big swing. The redshirt freshman ripped the first pitch he saw down the right-field line, bouncing one over the wall for a two-run, ground-rule double.
With the score knotted at 2-2, left fielder Landon Smelser turned in the game-winning swing, smacking an RBI laser through the right side. Third baseman Jackson Rooker beat out an infield single to first base before center fielder Jackson Green drew a walk to load the bags and force another call to the bullpen for the Spartans.
Catcher Riley Black delivered with the bases juiced, peppering a two-run single through the right side. Just like that, Tech built a 5-2 lead.
The home squad tacked on a couple of insurance runs in the sixth, loading the bases to open the frame before scoring twice on ground balls. Both Black and Jordan reached safely on fielder's choices to second base, plating one run each for a 7-2 advantage.
Closing the scoring on the day, Green capped an incredible, all-around contest with a lead-off home run in the eighth. The senior's second round-tripper of the year came on the first pitch of the inning, a laser over the left-field wall.
Green led the Tech offense with a 3-for-3 day, two runs, two walks, and three steals, all while playing stellar defense in center field. Black topped the squad with three RBI while Lee drove in a pair while walking twice.
Taking over on the hill for Tech in the fourth, Reece McDuffie completed 2.1 innings without allowing a run to earn his second win of the season. Jack Brafa relieved McDuffie to cover the seventh and eighth frames, allowing just a single hit while striking out two.
Sophomore Juan Vargas knocked out the ninth inning for the purple and gold, scattering a hit and two walks to complete another scoreless frame. Moller led the team with three punch-outs in 3.2 innings on the mound, surrendering just two hits with no walks.
The rematch between the two squads has been moved up to an 11:00 a.m. CT first pitch on Wednesday morning due to potential inclement weather expected in the Cookeville area in the afternoon. The game was originally slated for a 3:00 p.m. start.
Admission to all Tech home baseball games is free of charge.
Photo by Jim Dillon
