The Tennessee Tech Baseball team opened up OVC play this past weekend with a three-game series at Little Rock.
The Golden Eagles were able to invade the Trojans and sweep them on their home field to open up conference play with a 3-0 record.
Game one was a low-scoring affair, ending in a 5-2 victory in favor of Tech. Games two and three, however, were much more high-flying.Game two was played on Saturday, March 22, as the Golden Eagles were able to jump out to an 8-0 lead within the first three innings. Tech held strong despite the Trojans’ last hope efforts, scoring six runs in the ninth inning. The final score was 14-9 in favor of the Purple and Gold.
Game three was played on Sunday, March 23, and was the best game of the three. Tied at seven-all heading into the ninth, Tech scored two runs in the inning and held firm on defense, ending in a 9-7 victory and a much happier trip back home to Cookeville.
Senior outfielder Nicho Jordan was awarded OVC Player of the week for his performance against Little Rock over the weekend.Jordan batted .583 with three home runs, six RBIs and a 1.417 slugging percentage over the course of the three-game series.
The Golden Eagles currently sit at 18-7 overall after their series against the Trojans. In terms of batting, certain players have really stood out for Tech so far this year.
Sophomore catcher and designated hitter Mack Whitcomb has been a consistent force behind the plate this year, batting an average of .333, with 21 RBIs and five home runs prior to the series against Little Rock.Another certified slugger that has been a nice surprise for the Golden Eagles has been redshirt freshman shortstop Owen Lee, who has combined for five home runs, 18 RBIs and an average of .289.
Lee’s best showing thus far was against bitter-rival MTSU, where he went yard three times, tying the program record for home runs in a game.
Tech has been solid behind the mound this year as well thanks to the likes of senior Lucas Vega, sophomore Juan Vargas, freshman Carter Casabella, junior Reece McDuffie, junior Patrick Johnson, sophomore Drew Mattox and junior Jaxson Pease.
Tech will travel to Austin Peay on Tuesday, Mar. 25, just a week after losing to the Governors 13-3 in the previous meeting.
Following the trip to Clarksville, the Golden Eagles will begin their second three-game OVC series, this time against the Cougars of SIUE. The games will be played at the Quill from Friday, Mar. 28 to Sunday, Mar. 30.
Two days after their SIUE series, Tech will travel to Knoxville, Tennessee, to take one of the highest-ranked teams in the nation, the Tennessee Volunteers.The Golden Eagles have won two out of the last three meetings against the Vols, beating them two years in a row in 2022 and 2023.
Tony Vitello and the defending national champions will most certainly be awaiting Matt Bragga and the Golden Eagles come April 1st.
