Morehead State edges Tech in classic battle between OVC rivals
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Two-out hitting was the name of the game at Quillen Field and Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex Friday evening, as Morehead State edged the Tennessee Tech baseball team, 4-3, in a classic battle between the two long-time Ohio Valley Conference rivals.
Game 1
Game 1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 0 |
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1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 1 |
By Mike Lehman
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Two-out hitting was the name of the game at Quillen Field and Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex Friday evening, as Morehead State edged the Tennessee Tech baseball team, 4-3, in a classic battle between the two long-time Ohio Valley Conference rivals.
The visiting Eagles claimed the series with the win, the final one between the two as members of the OVC, with Tech set to depart the league following the 2026 season for the Southern Conference. The contest came down to timely hitting, with all seven runs on the night recorded with two outs.
It started with the purple and gold in the bottom of the first, as left fielder Jackson Rooker led things off with a five-pitch walk and stole second base one out later. With two outs, first baseman Nash Crowell peppered a single up the middle, plating Jackson from second for the early 1-0 lead.
Morehead State answered with two outs in the top of the second, using a double and a two-run home run to right field to jump on top, 2-1. In the third, the Eagles struck again, collecting a two-out, RBI double to left-center field and an RBI single to double their output for a 4-1 lead.
Tech head coach Matt Bragga visited the mound with a pair of runners still on board, seemingly calming senior starter Jaxson Pease, who needed just four more pitches to record the inning-ending strikeout. The four-year Golden Eagle went on to deliver four scoreless frames to keep his team in the fight.
Bragga gave the veteran hurler one pitch to open the eighth inning before ceremoniously going to the bullpen, allowing Pease to receive hugs from his infielders and leave the diamond for the final time in his career to a standing ovation from the Tech faithful. Pease ended his final collegiate contest with 7.0 innings of work, five strikeouts, and four runs allowed.
The Cookeville crew tried to mount a rally for the right-hander, scoring twice in the bottom of the fourth. After two quick outs, catcher Manny Garza patiently drew a seven-pitch walk to keep the inning alive. Third baseman Connor Crowson fell behind in the count, 1-2, but didn't let that stop him from parking on over the wall in right field for a two-run blast that pulled the purple and gold within a run at 4-3.
It was all pitching the rest of the way for both squads, as each side built its own threats and escaped them as well. The Golden Eagles nearly tied the contest with two outs in the bottom of the eighth, with Crowson putting a charge into a ball to right-center field.
Morehead State center fielder Davis Germann got a glove on it before crashing violently into the wall, allowing the ball to drop for a triple. With the tying run just ninety feet away, the visiting Eagles picked up a clutch strikeout, with catcher Miller Murray holding on to a foul tip on strike three.
Crowell and Crowson led the Tech squad with two hits apiece while center fielder Jorsixt Jimenez and right fielder Luke Bragga accounted for the final two knocks. Rooker walked twice to go along with his 19th steal of the season. Cooper Casteel and Drew Kirby each turned in scoreless frames out of the bullpen.
The Golden Eagles will suit up as members of the OVC one final time Saturday afternoon, playing their final contest in a league they have spent more than 75 years in at 2:00 p.m. CT. Senior Day recognition will precede the contest, honoring seniors Manny Garza, Eddie Garza, Reece McDuffie, Connor Crowson, Jorsixt Jimenez, Lawson Stricklin, Jamie Robertson, Drew Mattox, Nash Crowell, Garrett Holpuch, Jaxson Pease, and Cooper Casteel.
Photo by Jim Dillon
