Lions walk off Golden Eagles in 10-inning battle
ST. CHARLES, Mo. – One long blast and a couple of untimely errors spoiled what looked like an Ohio Valley Conference series opening victory for the Tennessee Tech baseball team on Friday, as Lindenwood downed the purple and gold in 10 innings, 6-5, with a walk-off home run.
| Final (10) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 11 | 2 |
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 9 | 0 |
By Mike Lehman
ST. CHARLES, Mo. – One long blast and a couple of untimely errors spoiled what looked like an Ohio Valley Conference series opening victory for the Tennessee Tech baseball team on Friday, as Lindenwood downed the purple and gold in 10 innings, 6-5, with a walk-off home run.
A fast start offensively and a strong showing on the mound looked like enough to lift the Golden Eagles to a critical league win on the road, but the Lions scored three unearned markers in the sixth and seventh before ending the contest in style.
For the second straight weekend, sophomore hurler Carter Casabella twirled a quality start for the Cookeville crew, completing 6.0 innings while allowing just two earned runs. He yielded just six hits and one walk after his offense gave him a solid lead to work with in the first.
The top three of Tech's lineup were quick to apply the pressure early, starting with a base knock to left field from center fielder Landon Smelser on the first pitch of the game. Slugger Jorsixt Jimenez followed three pitches later with a base knock to center, moving Smelser to third.
Shortstop Owen Lee made it a 3-for-3 start to the day, singling to right field to plate the first run of the game. A sac bunt off the bat of first baseman Nash Crowell set up Manny Garza for the biggest swing of the frame. The Tech backstop peppered an 0-1 offering through the left side, driving in a pair for the early 3-0 lead.
Casabella carried things from there, blanking the Lions over the opening five innings. In the sixth, Lindenwood finally broke through with a two-run single with two outs. A Golden Eagle error extended the frame, and the home squad took advantage with a two-run triple to right-center field, moving in front 4-3.
The top of the Tech lineup built a quick response in the top of the seventh, with Smelser wearing a pitch with one out. Jimenez ripped a base hit up the middle to move him to third before Lee came through again, singling through the right side for the game-tying RBI.
After a pitching change by the Lions, Crowell was plunked to load the bases, setting up Manny Garza for another RBI opportunity. The catcher came through again, sending a sac fly to center field to put the purple and gold back on top, 5-4.
The Lions fought right back in the bottom half of the inning, putting the tying run at third base with one out following a lead-off double and sac bunt. Tech reliever Drew Kirby picked up a huge strikeout for the second out of the frame, but another error by the defense three pitches later allowed the tying run to cross home plate.
Kirby kept Lindenwood at bay over the next two innings, but the Lion pitching staff was just as successful at stymying the Golden Eagle bats through the top of the 10th. Lindenwood shortstop Will Geary provided the winning shot in extras, clearing the right-field wall on the third pitch of the 10th for the 6-5 win.
The Tech offense racked up 11 hits in the loss, including a 3-for-5 showing by Jimenez, who also scored twice. Smelser, Lee, and second baseman Eddie Garza also delivered multi-hit performances.
Game two of the weekend series is slate for a 1:00 p.m. CT first pitch Saturday afternoon at Lou Brock Sports Complex in St. Charles.
Photo by Jim Dillon
