Thomasson and the Golden Eagles stay at .500

The Golden Eagle Baseball team picked up two wins and two losses over this past week’s homestand, losing to Middle Tennessee State Tuesday, and winning the three game series against Niagara over the weekend.
Tech lost the game to MTSU 9-7 after losing what was at one point a six run lead.
“We have to pitch ahead of hitters,” Head coach Matt Bragga said.  “When you’re behind guys (in the count) their chances increase of getting hits.”
The Golden Eagles held a 7-2 lead after the fifth inning.  MTSU began their rally by scoring four runs in the top half of the sixth inning.
The Blue Raiders were also able to add on two runs in the top of the seventh and one more in their half of the eighth.   
The MTSU bullpen was able to keep Tech the rest of the ballgame, as the Golden Eagles failed to score after the second inning.
“They had a lefty come in who was a transfer from Ole Miss (Jordan Cooper), and he pitched like an SEC number one kid,” Bragga said.  “The reason our bats went dormant in the middle innings are attributed to that kid.  He was dominant that night, and he gave them some momentum.”
Cooper picked up the win for the Blue Raiders throwing three and two-thirds of an inning giving up one hit and striking out six.
Tech freshman Byron Skinner made the first start of his college career a solid one, with three and one-third innings pitched, three walks, one strikeout and two earned runs.
Tech picked up two of the three games against Niagara over the weekend losing Friday, 4-2, and picking up wins in Saturday and Sunday’s games 9-0 and 10-9.
Friday’s game and the rubber game on Sunday both went into extra innings with Sunday’s going into 11.
The first two games were highlighted by good Tech pitching with senior ace Tristan Archer leading the way with an eight inning, seven-strikeout performance Friday for the no decision.
“Pitching was the name of the game in the first two games,” Bragga said.  “On Sunday, Jacob Honea, who is a very good guy and will do fantastic for us, he did not have a good start, and didn’t throw as many strikes as he’s capable of. We had to take him out of the game early and got in an early hole.”
Tech will entertain Bowling Green this weekend lead by OVC player of the week, junior Brandon Thomasson.
Over last week, Thomasson had a batting average of  .467 with a double, three home runs and eight RBI.
“Brandon has really come up big for us,” Bragga said.  “The guy stays in the hitting zone so long that even if his timing is slightly off, he has a chance to hit it.  He is just a strong kid and just a good, good baseball player.”
Tech opens their series against Bowling Green Friday at 3 p.m. at the Averrit Baseball Complex.