Welsh, Smith combine for two-hitter as Tech tops Canisius in home opener

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Sophomore Billy Welsh and junior Matt Smith combined to throw a two-hitter, leading Tennessee Tech to a 2-1 victory Friday over Canisius College in the Golden Eagles' home opener.

Tech (1-4) hosts the Golden Griffins (0-4) again Saturday in a doubleheader beginning at 1:05 p.m., then the two teams finish the four-game series Sunday with a single game at 1:05 p.m.

Welsh worked the first 7 1/3 innings, walked two and struck out five while allowing two hits. Smith pitched the final 1 2/3 perfect innings for the save, getting one strikeout.

The Golden Eagles had several opportunities to increase their lead, but left 10 runners stranded on the bases. That includes leavng the bases loaded in both the second and fourth innings, and two men aboard in the sixth.

Canisius starter John Axford (0-1) struggled with his control in taking the loss. He pitched 3 1/3 innings, allowing two runs and walking six. He struck out three, but had three wild pitches and hit a TTU batter.

Tech scored its two runs in the third on just one hit. Brian Sprowl walked to open the frame, followed by a walk to Jake New. Both runners moved up one base on a wild pitch, then got another free advance on a second wild pitch. With one out, Steve Soper laced an RBI single to center field to make it 2-0. Soper stole second and went to third on a wild pitch, but Axford got two strikeouts to end the inning.

Canisius threatened in the first inning, getting the first two runners of the game aboard on an error and a single by Kevin Smith, but Welsh got out of the jam. The Golden Grifs had a runner in the second erased by an inning-ending double play, then left a runner stranded at second base in the fourth.

Meanwhile, Welsh didn't allow a Canisius runner in the third, fifth, sixth or seventh innings. In the eighth, Gabe Baida drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on a wild pitch. With one out, the next batter was hit by a pitch, bring the go-ahead run to the plate against Welsh.

Coach Matt Bragga brought in Matt Smith, and he almost got Tech out of the inning without any damage. He got Eric Shefski to hit into a potential double play, but the errant throw to first allowed Baida to score an unearned run to make it 2-1.

Smith got the final out, then tossed a perfect ninth for his first career save.

Tech managed just five hits in the game, with Soper collecting two. Josh Goodwin's single to lead off the seventh inning extended his hitting streak to five games.