Golden Eagles Explode for Seven-Run Seventh, Down MTSU 12-6
Tennessee Tech used a decisive seven-run seventh inning to pull away from Middle Tennessee State, earning a 12-6 victory Tuesday evening at Quillen Field at Bush Stadium and splitting the season series with the Blue Raiders.
Game 1
Game 1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 1 |
|
|
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | X | 12 | 17 | 0 |
By Jeff Bowe, TTU Athletics Media Relations
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Tech used a decisive seven-run seventh inning to pull away from Middle Tennessee State, earning a 12-6 victory Tuesday evening at Quillen Field at Bush Stadium and splitting the season series with the Blue Raiders.
The Golden Eagles (14-27) racked up 17 hits in a balanced offensive effort, overcoming an early deficit and breaking the game open late.
Tech struck first with a pair of runs in the opening inning, as Manny Garza and Connor Crowson each delivered RBI singles to give the Golden Eagles an early 2-0 edge. Middle Tennessee answered with three runs in the third, highlighted by a pair of home runs, to briefly take the lead.
The Golden Eagles responded in the fifth, capitalizing on wild pitches and a clutch two-run double from Crowson to regain control at 5-3. The Blue Raiders chipped away with single runs in the sixth and seventh to make it a 6-5 contest before Tech's offense erupted.
In the bottom of the seventh, Tennessee Tech sent 11 batters to the plate and scored seven runs on seven hits. Garza started the surge with an RBI single, followed by a run-scoring triple from Nash Crowell. Crowson and Eddie Garza added RBI knocks before Tyler Bennett drove in another run with a single. Jorsixt Jimenez capped the inning with a two-run homer — his 16th of the season — to put the game out of reach.
Crowell triples to center, putting us in front! ��
— Tennessee Tech ⚾️⚾️ (@TNTech_Baseball) April 22, 2026
��: ESPN+ #WingsUp �� pic.twitter.com/sZ92V28TtH
Crowson led the Golden Eagles at the plate, going 4-for-5 with four RBI, while Jimenez finished 2-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBI. Garza added two hits and two RBI, and Bennett contributed three hits and an RBI as part of the 17-hit attack.
On the mound, Cooper Casteel (3-3) earned the win in relief, tossing 1.1 scoreless innings. Drew Kirby closed the door with a clean ninth inning to secure the victory. The Tech pitching staff combined to limit Middle Tennessee to seven hits despite issuing eight walks.
GOLDEN BATS
- Connor Crowson: 4-for-5, season-high 4 RBI, two doubles
- Jorsixt Jimenez: 2-for-4, 3 runs, HR (16th), 2 RBI
- Manny Garza: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 runs, walk
- Tyler Bennett: 3-for-4, RBI, double, stolen base
- Nash Crowell: 2-for-4, RBI, run, triple, walk
- Eddie Garza: 2-for-5, RBI, double
EAGLES WINGS
- Cooper Casteel (W, 3-3): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
- Drew Kirby: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB
- Lawson Stricklin: 2.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 2 BB
Tennessee Tech returns to action Wednesday, hosting North Alabama at 6 p.m. CT.
