Bragga sets program wins record in Tech triumph at Lipscomb
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In a midweek slobber knocker in Nashville, it was the Tennessee Tech baseball team coming out on top in its rematch with in-state rival Lipscomb, topping the Bisons 15-11 on Tuesday night at Ken Dugan Field.
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 15 | 12 | 0 |
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3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 12 | 1 |
By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In a midweek slobber knocker in Nashville, it was the Tennessee Tech baseball team coming out on top in its rematch with in-state rival Lipscomb, topping the Bisons 15-11 on Tuesday night at Ken Dugan Field.
The Golden Eagles (29-17) were on the attack from the very beginning of the night, piling up 12 hits, eight walks, and three hit-by-pitches to constantly apply pressure to the Bisons (20-23). The Tech defense came up clutch on multiple occasions throughout the evening as well, helping stave off a late Lipscomb surge.
The win was a particularly special one, as Tech head coach Matt Bragga passed TTU Sports Hall of Famer David Mays for the all-time program record for career victories with the 555th of his Golden Eagle career. He also moved into sole possession of fifth place on the Ohio Valley Conference's all-time wins list, now sitting just 10 away from passing Jacksonville State's Jim Case (2004-21) for fourth.
The purple and gold pushed the instant offense button to open the ball game, loading the bases without recording an out to force a pitching change. After the Bisons picked up the first out of the ball game, first baseman Riley Black came through for the early lead, ripping a two-run single off the wall in left field.
Lipscomb answered in the bottom half of the first, scoring three times to take its first lead of the contest. The home squad's advantage didn't last long, thanks to shortstop Preston Steele.
With one out in the top of the second, the senior connected on the first pitch he saw, blasting a 400-foot long ball to left field at 102 miles per hour off the bat. It marked Steele's fourth round-tripper of the year.
Third baseman Jackson Rooker followed with a double down the right-field line, and left fielder Landon Smelser drove him in with a base knock to right field, putting the purple and gold back on top for good.
After tacking on another run in the third, the Golden Eagles broke the contest open in the fourth, scoring five times after loading the bases with nobody out. Right fielder Jorsixt Jimenez and Black drew back-to-back bases-loaded walks to drive in the first two runs of the frame.
Catcher Ryan Lee kept the attack rolling with a sacrifice fly to right field, prepping Steele for some more heroics. Donning his cape again, the slugger smashed a two-run single through the right side, making it a 10-3 lead for the Cookeville crew.
The Bisons closed the gap somewhat with a three-spot in the fifth, but the Tech squad responded in kind in the sixth. Gathering a couple of runners on the base paths, the Golden Eagles sparked a two-out rally behind none other than Steele.
The Tech veteran crushed a double down the third-base line to plate his fourth run of the ball game and get the scoring going. Rooker doubled the effort on the next pitch, peppering a base hit up the middle to drive in two more for the good guys.
Trailing 13-6, Lipscomb launched another salvo in the bottom of the seventh, racking up four runs to trim the deficit to just three. One more time, the Cookeville crew fought right back with their own run support.
Following a lead-off walk to Black, Ryan Lee worked a count in his favor at 3-1 before launching a two-run missile to left-center field at 106 miles per hour for a 382-foot bomb and a 15-10 Tech lead. The Bisons scored one final run in the eighth, leading off their half of the frame with back-to-back doubles before the Golden Eagles finished things off.
Steele led the offense with three hits and four RBI on the night, finishing just a triple shy of the cycle. Smelser and Rooker each tallied multiple hits, with Rooker scoring twice and driving in a pair. Black and Ryan Lee each plated three Golden Eagles on the night while Jimenez scored a team-high three runs. Center fielder Nicho Jordan and Black each drew three walks.
Freshman Carter Casabella (4-2) picked up his fourth victory of the season after tossing a team-high 2.2 innings out of the bullpen, allowing just one run on two hits and two walks while striking out three. Sophomore right-hander Juan Vargas locked down a scoreless ninth inning of work, facing the minimum while fanning one Lipscomb batter.
The Cookeville crew will make its way to Cape Girardeau, Mo., this weekend for a massive, OVC series with long-time rival Southeast Missouri. Play will open on Friday evening with a 6:00 p.m. CT affair. Saturday will feature a 2:00 p.m. first pitch while Sunday's finale will commence at 1:00 p.m.
File photo by Jim Dillon
