Tech routs Southeast again

Tennessee Tech wasn't quite as dominant as during Friday's 16-1 drubbing of Southeast Missouri State in the opener of a three-game Ohio Valley Conference baseball series.

But the Eagles weren't far off Saturday night as they posted another lopsided victory at Capaha Field, romping 11-6.

A nine-run fifth inning by the OVC's top offensive squad turned a 1-0 Southeast lead into a 9-1 deficit. The conference's first-place team never looked back the rest of the way.

"They're a good offensive team. They're just a good club overall," junior first baseman Matt Tellor said.

Tech (35-14, 21-5), which has set a school record for OVC wins, retained its one-game lead over both Belmont and Jacksonville State. All three squads have four league contests remaining.

"It's very exciting," Tech coach Matt Bragga said of the tight OVC race.

Southeast (22-29, 13-16), which has lost eight of its last nine OVC games and nine of its last 11 contests overall, is assured of its fourth consecutive OVC series defeat.

Southeast’s Derek Gibson hangs on to third base to avoid being tagged out by Tennessee Tech’s Daniel Miles in the fifth inning of the Redhawks’ loss to the Golden Eagles on Saturday at Capaha Field. (ADAM VOGLER)

But the news was not all bad for the Redhawks, who finish their OVC schedule with today's 1 p.m. series finale.

Southeast, sixth in the 11-team league, remained in strong shape to extend its OVC record of 18 consecutive conference tournament appearances.

The top six finishers qualify and Southeast has a two-game lead for the sixth spot. The Redhawks would clinch a tournament berth today if they win or if Morehead State loses.

Southeast left fielder Derek Gibson can’t reach a sixth-inning during Saturday’s game. (ADAM VOGLER)

"We really want to seal the deal on our own," sophomore second baseman Jason Blum said.

Sophomore left-hander Will Spitzfaden, who has been Southeast's top starting pitcher this season, shut out the Eagles on one hit through four innings as the Redhawks led 1-0.

Then the roof caved in on Spitzfaden and the Redhawks in the top of the fifth inning.

The Eagles sent 13 batters to the plate as they exploded for nine runs on nine hits, including three doubles. Senior right fielder Michael Morris and senior left fielder James Abraham each had two hits in the frame.

"Their starter was doing a heck of a job but we finally got something going," Bragga said. "I like our lineup. All nine guys have an opportunity to hit, and hit with power."

Tech's first five batters in the fifth hit safely as the Eagles knocked Spitzfaden out during the inning.

"He was cruising. He was mixing pitches, making very good pitches. It happened very quick," Southeast coach Steve Bieser said.

Southeast had gone ahead in the first inning. Sophomore right fielder Dalton Hewitt drew a two-out walk and scored on Tellor's RBI double.

The Eagles, after collecting 22 hits Friday, added 16 more hits Saturday as they boosted their OVC-leading average to .306. They also pace the league in runs (357) and home runs (46) while ranking ninth nationally in slugging (.468) and 10th in home runs per game.

And the Eagles aren't just strong at the plate. They did not commit an error in the first two games of the series as their OVC-best fielding percentage improved to .980, which is 10th nationally.

"They're a very good team and they're a very hot team right now the way they're swinging the bats," Bieser said. "They're one of the better teams we've seen this year."

Tech's pitching is also solid. Starring on the mound for the Eagles Saturday was sophomore David Hess, who relieved starter Ross Spurgeon after the junior was knocked out during Southeast's three-run fifth inning that sliced Tech's lead to 9-4.

Hess (6-2) fired off 3 2/3 shutout innings to notch the victory. He allowed four hits while striking out six and walking one.

"He did a really good job. He's done a good job in that role all year," Bragga said.

Spitzfaden (5-4) was charged with six runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Senior Tony Zerrusen went the final 4 2/3 innings to keep Bieser from having to dip deeper into his injury-ravaged pitching staff. Zerrusen allowed five runs and nine hits.

"Tony's been throwing the ball good," Bieser said.

Abraham went 4 for 5 with three RBIs to lead Tech's offense.

Southeast had 13 hits. Tellor led the way by going 3 for 5.

Blum, junior left fielder Derek Gibson and freshman center fielder Clayton Evans each added two hits.

"It's good to put up a few more runs after only having one yesterday," Blum said.

Hewitt, Evans and sophomore DH Ryan Barnes collected RBIs during Southeast's three-run fifth inning.

Junior Josh Meade delivered a two-out, two-RBI double in the ninth inning to round out the day's scoring.