Golden Eagles Rally Falls Short in 13-11 Loss to SEMO
Tennessee Tech erased an early deficit and mounted a late push, but Southeast Missouri used a pair of big innings to hold off the Golden Eagles, 13-11, Friday evening at Quillen Field Bush Stadium.
Game 1
Game 1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 13 | 14 | 0 |
|
|
3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 15 | 2 |
By Jeff Bowe, TTU Athletics Media Relations
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech erased an early deficit and mounted a late push, but Southeast Missouri used a pair of big innings to hold off the Golden Eagles, 13-11, Friday evening at Quillen Field Bush Stadium.
Tech (12-26, 2-11 OVC) came out swinging, plating eight runs over the first three innings to build an early 8-0 advantage. Jorsixt Jimenez highlighted the opening frame with a two-run home run, while Manny Garza delivered a three-run blast in the second as part of a four-run inning.
Landon Smelser paced the Golden Eagles at the plate, going 4-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI, while Garza finished 2-for-4 with three RBI and three runs. Jimenez added two hits and two RBI, and Tyler Bennett chipped in three hits in the effort.
SEMO (27-11, 8-4 OVC) began chipping away in the fourth and fifth innings, scoring four runs—two of which were unearned in each frame—to cut into the deficit. The Redhawks then seized control in the sixth, using back-to-back home runs from Cal Sullivan and Ryan Lopetegui to take their first lead of the contest.
Sullivan and Lopetegui proved to be the difference, combining for four home runs and eight RBI on the night. Sullivan launched two homers and drove in three, while Lopetegui also homered twice and finished with three RBI.
A four-run eighth inning gave SEMO breathing room, extending the lead to 11-8 before adding two more in the ninth.
The Golden Eagles refused to go quietly, rallying in the bottom of the ninth. A two-out, three-run homer from Ty Denton, his first as a Golden Eagle, trimmed the deficit to two, but the comeback bid fell short.
On the mound, Carter Casabella allowed just one earned run over five innings despite five runs crossing the plate, while Jaxson Pease (4-5) took the loss after surrendering six runs over three innings of relief.
NEXT UP: Tennessee Tech and SEMO continue the series Saturday with the first pitch scheduled for 11 a.m. CT.
