Golden Eagles Strike Early, Take Series Opener 5-2 at Georgia Southern
Tennessee Tech used a four-run second inning and a strong outing on the mound from Garrett Holpuch to claim a 5-2 victory over Georgia Southern on Friday evening at J.I. Clements Stadium.
Game 1
Game 1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 0 |
|
|
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 0 |
By Jeff Bowe, TTU Athletics Media Relations
STATESBORO, Ga. — Tennessee Tech used a four-run second inning and a strong outing on the mound from Garrett Holpuch to claim a 5-2 victory over Georgia Southern on Friday evening at J.I. Clements Stadium.
The Golden Eagles (7-6) scored five runs over the first two innings and held the Eagles at bay the rest of the way to secure the opener of the weekend series. Georgia Southern falls to 2-11 with the three-run loss.
GOLDEN BATS
- Jimenez drove in three runs with a double and triple (2-5)
- Rooker plated one run during his 1-for-2 game with 2 runs scored
- Moffitt drove in a run during his 1-for-4 outing, 1 R.
EAGLES' WINGS
- Holpuch tosses his second quality start of the season – 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
- Pease earned his first save – 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 3 K.
Tech struck first in the top of the first inning when Jorsixt Jimenez doubled to left field, driving home Jackson Rooker, who had walked and stolen second earlier in the frame. Georgia Southern answered in the bottom half with an RBI double by Sean White to even the score at 1-1.
The Golden Eagles broke the game open in the second inning with four runs on four hits. Connor Crowson opened the rally with a walk before Manny Garza doubled to deep center to put two runners in scoring position. Aaron Moffitt followed with an RBI single to center, and Rooker added another RBI single to extend the lead. Later in the inning, Jimenez delivered again, tripling to right field to plate two more runs and give Tech a 5-1 advantage.
A 2-run triple by Jimenez puts us up 5️⃣-1️⃣
— Tennessee Tech ⚾️⚾️ (@TNTech_Baseball) March 7, 2026
��: ESPN+ #WingsUp pic.twitter.com/J02kHOZEJU
That early cushion was enough for Holpuch (2-0), who delivered 6.2 innings of work. The right-hander allowed two runs on eight hits while striking out three and walking none.
Georgia Southern trimmed the deficit to 5-2 in the seventh inning on an RBI single by Mason Gazaway, but starter turned reliever Jaxson Pease entered and shut the door. Pease tossed the final 2.1 innings without allowing a hit and struck out three to record his first save of the season.
������������ ������������ ������!
— Tennessee Tech ⚾️⚾️ (@TNTech_Baseball) March 7, 2026
Game 1 is ours! Jaxson Pease (S, 1) slams the door with a 2.0-inning save!
��: ESPN+ #WingsUp pic.twitter.com/FFgJppzF4s
Jimenez led the Golden Eagles at the plate, finishing 2-for-5 with three RBIs, including a double and a triple. Rooker reached base three times with a hit and two walks, scored twice, and drove in a run, while Moffitt added an RBI single.
Georgia Southern starter Carter DeGondea (0-1) took the loss after surrendering five runs in 1.2 innings.
NEXT UP
The two teams will continue the series Saturday with the first pitch scheduled for 11 a.m. CT. Watch all of the games live on ESPN+.
