Jorsixt Jimenez recorded four hits in the Golden Eagles win | Photo: Jim Dillon
Jorsixt Jimenez recorded four hits in the Golden Eagles win | Photo: Jim Dillon
April 18, 2026

Golden Eagles Explode for 17 Hits, Even Series with 10-4 Win Over SEMO

Tennessee Tech erupted for 17 hits and used a decisive five-run fifth inning to power past Southeast Missouri, 10-4, on Saturday at Quillen Field at Bush Stadium, evening the Ohio Valley Conference series at one game apiece.

Box Score Preview

By Jeff Bowe, TTU Athletics Media Relations

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech erupted for 17 hits and used a decisive five-run fifth inning to power past Southeast Missouri, 10-4, on Saturday at Quillen Field at Bush Stadium, evening the Ohio Valley Conference series at one game apiece.

The Golden Eagles (13-26, 3-11 OVC) responded after dropping the opener by turning in one of their most complete offensive performances of the season, tallying 10 runs on 17 hits while capitalizing on three SEMO errors.

After falling behind 1-0 in the second, Tech answered in the third. Tyler Bennett drove in the first run on a single, and Jackson Rooker followed with an RBI double to give the Golden Eagles a 2-1 lead.

SEMO (27-12, 9-5 OVC) briefly regained momentum in the fourth on a two-run homer by Tank Sims, but the Golden Eagles delivered the knockout blow in the bottom of the fifth.

Jorsixt Jimenez sparked the inning with a double and later scored on Rooker's RBI single. Manny Garza then launched a two-run homer to right field, highlighting a five-run frame that also featured RBI contributions from AJ Marchetti and Cade Fuller, pushing Tech in front 7-3.

Tech added insurance in the eighth inning, beginning with Bennett's solo home run—his first as a Golden Eagle—before manufacturing two more runs on a sacrifice fly by Garza and a wild pitch.

Jimenez led the offensive charge, going 4-for-5 with two runs scored, while Rooker added three hits and two RBI. Garza drove in three runs on a 2-for-4 day, and Bennett finished with two hits and two RBI.

On the mound, Cooper Casteel (2-3) earned the win in relief, tossing 2.2 scoreless innings while allowing just two hits. Drew Kirby secured his first save as a Golden Eagle with 1.1 shutout innings to close the game.

Tennessee Tech's pitching staff limited SEMO to four runs despite issuing seven walks, stranding 12 runners in the contest.

GOLDEN BATS

EAGLES WINGS

  • Cooper Casteel (W, 2-3): 2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 K
  • Drew Kirby (S, 1): 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R to earn his first save with Tech
  • The bullpen tosses 6.2 innings, allowing just one earned run.

NEXT UP
 The Golden Eagles and Redhawks will meet in the rubber match on Sunday, with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. CT.