Golden Eagles Belt Four Home Runs in 10-2 Win Over Western Illinois
Tennessee Tech used a pair of big innings and a dominant start on the mound to power past Western Illinois, 10-2, on Saturday at Quillen Field at Bush Stadium, evening the weekend series at one game apiece.
Game 1
Game 1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 2 |
|
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 3 | X | 10 | 11 | 0 |
By Jeff Bowe, TTU Athletics Media Relations
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Tech used a pair of big innings and a dominant start on the mound to power past Western Illinois, 10-2, on Saturday at Quillen Field at Bush Stadium, evening the weekend series at one game apiece.
After four scoreless frames, the Golden Eagles (15-29, 4-13 OVC) broke through in the fifth inning, capitalizing on a Western Illinois miscue before Nash Crowell delivered the decisive blow — a two-out grand slam to right field that put Tech firmly in control.
Tech added three more runs in the sixth behind back-to-back long balls from Landon Smelser and Owen Lee, stretching the lead to 7-1. The Golden Eagles tacked on three additional runs in the eighth, including Smelser's second home run of the day, to seal the victory.
On the mound, Jaxson Pease set the tone early, tossing five scoreless innings while allowing just two hits to earn the win. Cooper Casteel handled the final four frames to earn his first save of the season.
Western Illinois (13-28, 6-11 OVC) managed single runs in the sixth and ninth innings, but could not overcome Tech's offensive surge.
GOLDEN BATS
- Nash Crowell – 1-for-4, grand slam, 4 RBI
- Landon Smelser – 3-for-5, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 2 runs scored
- Owen Lee – 1-for-2, HR, 2 RBI, 3 runs scored, 3 walks
- Jorsixt Jimenez – 3-for-4, 2 doubles, 3 runs scored, walk
- Manny Garza – 1-for-4, 2 RBI, walk
EAGLES WINGS
- Jaxson Pease (W, 5-5) – 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
- Cooper Casteel (S, 1) – 4.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 4 K
NEXT UP
The Golden Eagles face the Leathernecks in the rubber game on Sunday at 1 p.m. CT.
