Final regular season series pits Golden Eagles against Colonels for bid in OVC Tournament
For the final time in 2016, the Tennessee Tech baseball team will take the friendly confines of Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex, kicking off a pivotal, three-game Ohio Valley Conference series with Eastern Kentucky Thursday evening at 3 p.m. CT.
Game 1
Game 1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 12 | 1 |
|
|
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 10 | 1 |
Game 2
Game 2
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
|
|
0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | X | 7 | 8 | 1 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 9 | 2 |
|
|
1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | X | 7 | 11 | 1 |
By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
Tennessee Tech Baseball Weekend Preview (5/18)
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – For the final time in 2016, the Tennessee Tech baseball team will take the friendly confines of Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex, kicking off a pivotal, three-game Ohio Valley Conference series with Eastern Kentucky Thursday evening at 3 p.m. CT.
The three-game slate enters the weekend with the most playoff implications in the league, with both the Golden Eagles and Colonels squaring off for a spot in the OVC Tournament next week. While there are several different scenarios that could lead to a bid to the league's postseason event for Golden Eagles, the simplest of them all is three wins and their in.
The Golden Eagles are coming off a midweek victory over UNC Asheville Tuesday afternoon, not to mention an impressive series win over in-state rival Belmont over the weekend. The Colonels dropped 2-of-3 contests at Murray State last week, falling back into a tie with the Racers for seventh place in the standings, just one game back of Tech.
Freshman sensation Kevin Strohschein will match-up against EKU's Mandy Alvarez in what could very well be a battle for top billing as the OVC Player of the Year. Strohschein ranks second in the OVC with a .401 average, .715 slugging percentage, and 83 hits and in the top five in runs scored (53), doubles (20), and home runs (13). His team-high 68 RBI not only leads the league, but also ranks the outfielder third nationally.
Alvarez leads the the OVC with a .411 average and 92 hits and also ranks in the top five slugging percentage (.647), RBI (55), and total bases (145).
The series continues Friday evening with a 6 p.m. tilt and is set to conclude with Senior Day Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. With impending weather expected in the area this weekend, fans are encouraged to check TTUSports.com and Tech baseball's twitter, @TNTech_Baseball, for updates on any game time changes.
Fans can follow the action live on the OVC Digital Network with Dylan Vazzano on the call.
Tennessee Tech (28-22, 14-13) vs. Eastern Kentucky (24-28, 13-14)
Twitter: @TNTech_Baseball | Facebook: TTU Sports | Instagram: TTUGoldenEagles
Thursday, May 19, 3:00 pm | Cookeville, Tenn. | Bush Stadium (1,100) | STATS | VIDEO
TTU Michael Wood (RHP)
4-3 | 3.72 ERA | 58.0 IP | 60 K
vs.
EKU Alex Hamilton (LHP)
4-5 | 6.30 ERA | 70.0 IP | 66 K
Thursday, May 19, 6:00 pm | Cookeville, Tenn. | Bush Stadium (1,100) | STATS | VIDEO
TTU Jake Usher (RHP)
3-0 | 4.12 ERA | 43.2 IP | 52 K
vs.
EKU Eric Nerl (RHP)
6-4 | 5.15 ERA | 73.1 IP | 45 K
Saturday, May 21, 2:00 pm | Cookeville, Tenn. | Bush Stadium (1,100) | STATS | VIDEO
TTU TBA
- | - ERA | - IP | - K
vs.
TTU TBA
- | - ERA | - IP | - K
* all starters listed are probable and subject to change
SERIES HISTORY vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
Overall: EKU leads, 79-76-2
First Meeting: 1946 | EKU 8, TTU 7 | Unknown
Last Meeting: May 16, 2015 | TTU 10, EKU 2 | Richmond, Ky.
TENNESSEE TECH GOLDEN EAGLES
2016 Record: 28-22
2016 OVC Record: 14-13 (6th)
Head Coach: Matt Bragga
TTU: 349-357-2 (13th season)
Career: Same
Since 2008: 277-220-2
STATS LEADERS
AVG: Kevin Strohschein (.401)
2B: Kevin Strohschein (20)
3B: David Garza / Kevin Strohschein (3)
HR: Kevin Strohschein (13)
RBI: Kevin Strohschein (68)
R: Kevin Strohschein (53)
BB: Alex Junior (29)
SB: Alex Junior (11)
EASTERN KENTUCKY COLONELS
2016 Record: 24-28
2016 OVC Record: 13-14 (T-7th)
Head Coach: Edwin Thompson
EKU: 24-28 (1st season)
Career: 61-61 (3rd season)
STATS LEADERS
AVG: Mandy Alvarez (.411)
2B: Shea Sullivan (14)
3B: Shea Sullivan (3)
HR: Kyle Nowlin (19)
RBI: Kyle Nowlin (56)
R: Cole Warrenfeltz (47)
BB: Kyle Nowlin (50)
SB: Shea Sullivan (11)
Photo by Jim Dillon
