By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
EDWARDSVILLE, Tenn. – A quality start on the mound wasn't enough for the Tennessee Tech baseball team Sunday afternoon, as the Golden Eagles fell in their Ohio Valley Conference series finale at SIUE in walk-off fashion, 4-3.
Leading 3-1 heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, a defensive miscue by the Tech defense (29-22, 13-11) opened a frame that saw the Cougars (20-30-1, 12-12) score three times to earn both the win in the contest and the series. SIUE reached on an error and drew a walk to lead off the frame before a double brought both runs in for the tie.
A base knock and hit-by-pitch with one out loaded the bases before the Cougars broke through with an RBI single up the middle. SIUE scored first in the contest, plating a run in the third inning on an RBI single to left field.
In the fifth, the Golden Eagles picked up three of their four hits in the ball game to provide all of their offensive damage. Base hits by left fielder Austin Turner and shortstop Tanner Shiver put runners on the corners with just one out.
Second baseman Troy Baunsgard evened the contest with a sacrifice fly ball to right field, bringing in Turner for the 1-1 tie. Catcher Hayden Gilliland worked a full count before providing the big highlight for Tech, hammering a two-run blast to center field for the 3-1 lead.
The round-tripper marked the senior backstop's 13th of the season and 30th of his career, tying him for 12th in program history with Dylan Bosheers (2012-15). Gilliland also moved up to 17th in school history with 129 RBI in the purple and gold.
Hurler Jaxson Pease turned in a strong showing on the mound, finishing 8.0 innings while scattering five hits and four walks. He struck out a pair and allowed just a single run up until the ninth frame. One earned and one more unearned crossed the plate following his departure, both assigned to the sophomore.
The Golden Eagles wrap up the 2024 regular season in Cookeville next weekend, playing host to the Little Rock from Thursday to Saturday. The series features 6:00 p.m. CT first pitches on both Thursday and Friday with Saturday's finale set for 2:00 p.m. at Quillen Field and Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex.
File photo by Jim Dillon
