Tech and Morehead split pair of one-run games in conference double header, rubber match Sunday
MOREHEAD, Ky. – After combining for 33 runs in the first
game of a double header, the Tennessee Tech and Morehead State
baseball teams could muster just three in the second half, as the
Golden Eagles split two games with Ohio Valley Conference oppoent
MSU, taking a 17-16 victory in 10 innings, before falling 2-1 in
the seven-inning night-cap.
Coming off a season-high 15-run performance against East Tennessee
State on Wednesday, the Golden Eagles topped that mark, lighting up
the scoreboard for 17 runs. Tech (13-11, 1-6) needed every one of
them, as a six-run ninth-inning by Morehead State tied the game at
15 to force extra innings.
A leadoff walk, an error, and a pair of bunts to start off the 10th
inning gave Tech a 16-15 lead, and senior Alex Henry added an RBI
in the frame to give Tech some insurance, that would later come in
handy.
Morehead State (9-18, 2-6) got one run back in the bottom of the
10th, but Tech’s Lee Henry struck out Drew Lee to end the
game, giving Tech its first OVC win of the season. The Golden
Eagles improve to 3-0 in extra-inning games this season.
Tech needed just 10 hits to reach its 17 runs, and was aided by
seven MSU errors. Seven of Techs 17 runs were unearned in that
contest.
Ryan Dennick earned the win for Tech, going the final 1.2 innings.
Lee Henry pitched 6.1 innings, while allowing just three earned
runs and striking out nine MSU batters.
Sophomore A.J. Kirby-Jones hit his ninth homer of the season in the
game, and senior Evan Webb belted two doubles, and each finished
with three RBIs, helping Tech to the win.
The second half of the double header was much more calm. Michael
Alcorn and Tyler Bess went head-to-head in a pitchers battle, each
pitching complete games. Bess edged Alcorn in the end, as he struck
out 10 Tech batters, allowing just one earned run and five hits in
the contest. Alcorn gave up only four hits and two runs, while
striking out five batters without giving up a walk.
Lee started off the scoring with an RBI triple in the first inning,
and would later score to give Morehead its 2-0 lead. Tech responded
with a run in the second inning, but neither team could round the
bases after the top of the second, as Tech fell 2-1.
Webb and freshman Ben Burgess each had three hits on the day.
Casanova Donaldson stole two bases in there tries, and scored three
runs in the two games.
The split sets up a rubber match between the teams on Sunday at
noon central. The Golden Eagles will return home for three-game
conference series with Eastern Kentucky on April 10 and 11.
Admission to Tech home baseball games is free.
