Skyhawks take pitcher's duel over Tech to even OVC series
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – A pitcher’s duel went in favor of the visitors on Saturday afternoon, as the Tennessee Tech baseball team fell to UT Martin in Ohio Valley Conference action by a score of 4-2 at Quillen Field and Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex.
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 1 |
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0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 1 |
By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – A pitcher's duel went in favor of the visitors on Saturday afternoon, as the Tennessee Tech baseball team fell to UT Martin in Ohio Valley Conference action by a score of 4-2 at Quillen Field and Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex.
The Skyhawks (16-25, 7-9) received a stellar effort from their starter Zach Wager, who completed 8.0 innings on the mound while holding the Tech offense to just five hits and two total runs. The Golden Eagles (27-17, 10-7) were led by 5.0 shutout innings from southpaw Jared Herzog, who limited UT Martin to just two hits on the day.
The purple and gold struck first in the contest, scoring in the third frame behind their first two hits of the game. After singling to right-center field with one out, Tech third baseman Preston Steele advanced to second base when the throw from center field sailed over the second baseman's head.
Two pitches later, left fielder Landon Smelser blasted a double to the wall in right field, plating Steele for the early 1-0 lead for the home squad. Herzog scattered three walks and two hits while completing five frames for the Golden Eagles, striking out six along the way.
Sophomore Juan Vargas made quick work of the Skyhawks in the sixth, setting the side down in order. UT Martin retaliated in the seventh, however, scoring four times with two outs on the power of five hits.
Suddenly trailing by three, Tech head coach Matt Bragga went to the bench for a spark and got fireworks in return in the bottom of the seventh. Pinch hitter Jorsixt Jimenez stepped in and hammered the first pitch he saw well past the wall in left-center field for a no-doubt, lead-off home run, his fifth round-tripper of the season.
UT Martin's Wager regrouped after surrendering a bunt single to shortstop Owen Lee, inducing a double-play grounder to end the threat. The hurler ended his day with eight innings of work, one earned run allowed, and four strikeouts, scattering five hits and five walks.
The Skyhawks finished off the series-tying victory with a perfect ninth from Kaleb Baskin, earning his third save of the year. Golden Eagle reliever Reece McDuffie was great out of the pen for the Cookeville crew, completing 2.1 innings of work with just one hit allowed and two punch-outs.
The rubber match for the series is scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. CT first pitch on Sunday at the Quill. Admission to all Tech home baseball games is free of charge.
Photo by Jim Dillon
