The Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles baseball season is in full swing.They started the season off shaky, losing nine of their first 13 games on the diamond, including series losses to both Eastern Michigan and Ohio.
“We have a really good baseball team,” head coach Matt Bragga said. “We’ve played up to our potential at times and haven’t at times. We’re looking to find some consistency like we did this past weekend.”
Coach Bragga is referring to the sweep of Youngstown State that the team accomplished this past weekend at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex. They won both legs of a doubleheader on Saturday with scores of 10-6 and 13-7. The team completed the sweep on Sunday in extra innings when Zach Stephens hit an RBI groundout in the bottom of the 11th to end the game 5-4.
The highlight of the series came during an outstanding start on the mound for junior right-hander Matt Shepherd (1-2) in game two on Saturday. He pitched seven innings, allowing only one hit, walking four, and striking out six Penguins.
This performance earned him the honor of being named Ohio Valley Conference Pitcher of the Week.
“Matt definitely deserved it,” Bragga said. “He had a heck of an outing, and we hope to see that the rest of the season. We’re very proud and happy for him.”
This marks the second time the team has been given the award this year. Sophomore right-hander Tristan Archer (3-1) also received the award in week two of the season.
The Golden Eagles host the Purdue Boilermakers this weekend for a three-game series.
“They are a very good team,” Bragga said about the Boilermakers. “It should be a great series. We’re supposed to have good weather, and it should be a lot of fun.”
When asked about his outlook on the rest of the season, Bragga seemed confident in his team.
“We need to improve daily. We have to work hard and play hard.
“We have high expectations. There are several challenges ahead of us, but that’s why you play the game: to try and overcome them. We are confident and looking to our players who can step up and do that.”
Tech fell to East Tennessee State on Wednesday thanks to a Buc’s go-ahead home run in the ninth. The final score was 6-5.
For more information on scores and upcoming games, visit www.ttusports.com
