Tennessee Tech Baseball Salvages OVC Finale With 4-3 Win at Lindenwood on Mother’s Day

Photo / Jim Dillon - Tennessee Tech Athletics

ST. CHARLES, MO - A spectacular start on the hill and a clutch performance at the plate carried the Tennessee Tech baseball team to a 4-3 victory over Lindenwood on Mother’s Day, salvaging the Ohio Valley Conference finale Sunday afternoon at Hunter Stadium in St. Charles.

For the third straight contest of the weekend, the Golden Eagles (Tech) came out swinging early, striking for a run in the opening frame. Landon Smelser led off with a base hit to right-center field—his third straight game with a lead-off knock. Two batters later, Owen Lee powered a two-run home run to right field, clearing the wall to put Tech in front 2-0.

Tennessee Tech then added to the advantage in the fourth inning by stringing together the type of small-ball execution that proved decisive. Catcher Manny Garza doubled to left field to open the frame, then moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Connor Crowson. Garza’s brother and fellow Golden Eagle, Eddie Lee, drove him in on the next pitch, delivering a sacrifice fly to center field and extending the lead to 3-0.

The Tech offense’s early momentum matched the pitching work on the mound as sophomore starter Braxton Lewis secured his second win of the season. Making just the third start of his career, Lewis turned in a career-high 7.0 innings, allowing three hits and one walk while giving up only one earned run and striking out three Lion batters.

Lindenwood finally broke through in the sixth, using a Tech error to set up a sac fly and an unearned run, cutting the deficit to 3-1. In response, Lee answered immediately in the eighth, leading off with his second home run of the day—a blast to right field that pushed Tech back ahead 4-1.

Lewis began the eighth but departed after a lead-off single, and Lindenwood managed to scratch across a run before the Tech bullpen closed the inning without further damage. The Lions made a late push in the ninth, fueled by a one-out solo home run that pulled Lindenwood to within 4-3.

With the tying run on and the game on the line, Lindenwood singled again, prompting head coach Matt Bragga to turn to veteran reliever Drew Mattox. The junior right-hander needed just one pitch to seal the victory, recording an ending 5-4-3 double play to finish the game and secure Tech’s win.

The Golden Eagles will now close their final regular season as members of the OVC next weekend with a three-game series against long-time league rival Morehead State at home. The set starts with a 6:00 p.m.