COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - The Rockets' pitching staff allowed a pair of runs on four hits but the offense could not scrape together a run in a 2-0 loss to Tennessee Tech on Sunday at Bush Stadium.
The Rockets fall to 0-4 on the season while Tennessee Tech completes the sweep and stays unbeaten at 4-0.
Freshman
Layne Schnitz-Paxton took the ball for UT and was impressive in his collegiate debut. The right-hander did not allow a hit and worked around three walks to pitch 3.0 scoreless innings with a pair of punchouts.Â
Tennessee Tech scored the decisive run in the fourth inning off of junior left-handed reliever
Alex Wagner. Wagner struck out the first batter he faced before allowing back-to-back singles. A wild pitch and an RBI groundout plated the first run of the contest.
TTU was able to add another tally in the seventh on a single, a walk and a two-out RBI single that glanced off the glove of junior second baseman
Riley Campbell.
Toledo could muster only four singles offensively, no more than one in any inning. Junior
Brad Boss singled to lead off the fourth, freshman
Malave Bettinger singled with two outs in the fifth and
AJ Montoya singled with two down in the sixth. All were stranded at first base.
The Rockets best scoring chance came in the top half of the seventh inning. Freshman
Michael Ryan singled and Bettinger walked, giving the Rockets their first runner in scoring position. Ryan was lifted for junior
Casey Gose to pinch-run, who was left at second base at the end of the inning.
Alex Wagner was pegged with the loss but pitched an effective 3.2 innings, allowing two runs on four hits, a walk and three strikeouts.
Michael Jacob pitched 1.1 hitless innings in aid of Wagner.
Tennessee Tech's Chase Burkett was credited with the win after 7.0 scoreless innings. Ethan Roberts picked up the save with 2.0 hitless innings.
The Rockets will travel to Richmond, Va. for a pair of games against Binghamton and two contests with Richmond in the University of Richmond Tournament from Friday, Feb. 24 - Sunday, Feb. 26.
