TTU back at the Quill for three-game weekend series

The Tennessee Tech baseball team will be back in Cookeville and the comfort of Quillen Field and Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex this weekend, hosting Purdue Fort Wayne in a three-game series beginning Friday, Mar. 4 with a 3:00 p.m. CT tilt. Game two of the series is slated for a 1:00 p.m. first pitch on Saturday while Sunday's finale will also feature a 1:00 p.m. start.

Tech enters the weekend with an unblemished, 7-0 mark on the year after defeating North Alabama Tuesday evening in Florence, Ala., 11-8. The win tied the program's best start since 1970, with only the 1955 squad's 14-0 start representing a longer streak to begin a season. It also provided the Golden Eagles their sixth straight game scoring double figures.

The offense has been a major key to the purple and gold's early success in the return tour of head coach Matt Bragga, who rejoined the program after three seasons at the helm of the Rice Owls. Tech's bats have slashed .337/.446/.500 to start the year, accounting for 10 home runs and 74 total runs.

Shortstop Ed Johnson has been the top bat so far, batting .486 with 14 runs and 10 RBI out of the leadoff spot. Third baseman Gabe Lacy falls just behind with a .464 mark and team-high .590 on-base percentage, as well as 12 runs scored. Left fielder Jason Hinchman boasts 12 RBI with a .364 average while first baseman Golston Gillespie has driven in 10 with four extra-base hits. Catcher Hayden Gilliland also owns a .364 average with a .517 on-base mark.

The Golden Eagle pitching staff had been quite adept at holding opponents off the scoreboard as well, delivering a 4.14 ERA and .241 batting average against in the team's seven victories. Brock Myers has shined out of the bullpen, picking up a nation-leading three wins in three appearances without allowing a run.

Purdue Fort Wayne comes into the weekend in search of its first win of the year, dropping four-game series at Georgia State and at CBU (Cal Baptist). The Mastodons have struggled offensively out of the gate, batting .190 with 27 runs. The pitching staff has turned in a 9.19 ERA and .352 batting average against.

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Tennessee Tech vs. Purdue Fort Wayne | Friday, Mar. 4, 3:00 PM
Cookeville, Tenn. | Quillen Field/Bush Stadium (1,100)

Tennessee Tech vs. Purdue Fort Wayne | Saturday, Mar. 5, 1:00 PM
Cookeville, Tenn. | Quillen Field/Bush Stadium (1,100)

Tennessee Tech vs. Purdue Fort Wayne | Sunday, Mar. 6, 1:00 PM
Cookeville, Tenn. | Quillen Field/Bush Stadium (1,100)

TENNESSEE TECH GOLDEN EAGLES
2022 Record: 7-0
2022 OVC Record: 0-0
Head Coach: Matt Bragga
TTU: 453-392-2 (16th Season)
Career: 504-468-3 (19th Season)

STATS LEADERS
AVG: Ed Johnson (.486)
2B: 4 players tied (2)
3B: None
HR: 3 players tied (2)
RBI: Jason Hinchman (12)
R: Ed Johnson (14)
BB: Gabe Lacy / Will Long (7)
SLG%: Ed Johnson (.714)
OB%: Gabe Lacy (.590)
SB: Jackson Green / Austin Turner (1)
ERA: Brock Myers (0.00)
W: Brock Myers (3)
APP: Jackson Berry / Brock Myers (3)
IP: Peyton Calitri (11.1)
K: Connor Adams (9)
BAA: Carter Gannaway (.171)
SV: Jackson Berry (1)

PURDUE FORT WAYNE MASTODONS
2022 Record: 0-8
2022 Summit League Record: 0-0
Head Coach: Doug Schreiber
PFW: 16-53 (3rd Season)
Career: 501-564 (21st Season)

STATS LEADERS
AVG: Brian Erbe (.333)
2B: Alex Evenson / Jack Lang (2)
3B: None
HR: Braedon Blackford (3)
RBI: Braedon Blackford / Jack Lang (6)
R: Jack Lang (6)
BB: Garett Lake (7)
SLG%: Braedon Blackford (.607)
OB%: Alex Evenson (.452)
SB: Jack Lang (2)
ERA: Mitchell Spencer (2.53)
W: None