KINGSPORT, Tenn. – The No. 9-ranked Indiana Tech baseball team opened up the 2020 season Saturday afternoon with a pair of games against nonconference foes at Dobyns Bennett High School, defeating No. 1-ranked and defending NAIA National Champion Tennessee Wesleyan University, 8-2, and falling to Milligan College, 2-1.
Reese Olden got the offense started for Tech in the fourth inning against Tennessee Wesleyan with a leadoff single before advancing to third on a single from Spencer McGhee. A fielder's choice allowed Olden to score for the first Warrior run of the season and put them on top of the Bulldogs.
Mike Snyder put the Orange and Black up 4-0 with a three-run homer in the top of the fifth as he sent one over the right field wall on a 0-2 count. The four-run lead would be more than enough for starter
Charles Dunavan, who went 5.1 innings on the mound, allowing just one hit and two walks while striking six batters over 74 pitches.
Tech really got cooking in the sixth inning as they put up a five-spot on the Bulldogs thanks to five hits, a hit batsman and a sacrifice fly. McGhee drove in
Jashaun Simon with a sac fly to left center while a single from Snyder drove in two more runs to make it an 8-0 game.
Landon Bloir and
Jared Maxfield combined to finish out the game, allowing just one hit and one run each over the final 3.2 innings of play. Snyder finished the game going 2-5 with six runs batted in while
Ashtin Moxey went 4-5.
The second game of the day against Milligan was a pitching showcase as both offenses combined for just 13 hits. Tech pitchers struck out 13 batters during the game, with starter
Hayes Sturtsman fanning six over 4.2 innings while
Tyler Stacy had five punch outs in 2.2 innings of relief.
Snyder put the Warriors up 1-0 in the top of the seventh with his second home run of the day, this one coming on a 2-1 count that was hit to straight away center. Milligan answered right back in the bottom of the frame with a solo shot from Brandon Marello to knot the game up at 1-1. Following back-to-back singles and a throwing error from the Warrior outfield, Milligan found themselves with runners at second and third and one out. Following an intentional walk, Richard Polinsky drove in the game-winning run with a single to right center and give the Buffaloes the walk-off win.
Tech (1-1) returns to action Sunday as they conclude their opening weekend of play with a rematch against Tennessee Wesleyan University. First pitch is set for 11 a.m. from Dobyns Bennett HS.
