COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech scored 18 runs between the second and seventh innings Sunday to avoid a sweep with an 18-5 win over SIUE in the finale of a three-game Ohio Valley Conference baseball series.

The Cougars scored 25 runs over the three-game series on 39 hits, including seven home runs.

SIUE (17-19, 5-7 OVC) took an early lead when Zach Hawkins drilled a three-run home run to left in the first inning. James Vazquez and Devin Caldwell scored ahead of Hawkins on the home run. Vazquez singled to start the game. Caldwell walked just before Hawkins' home run.

Zach Hawkins finished 2 for 4 with the home run and three RBIs.

Chad Hayes tied the game in the second inning with a three-run home run for Tennessee Tech.

The Golden Eagles (15-20, 6-6 OVC) scored seven times in the third inning to chase SIUE starter Thad Hawkins (1-3). Hawkins allowed the 10 runs on nine hits. He struck out four and walked three.

TTU added six runs in the sixth inning on four hits, and then scored two runs in the seventh to go up 18-3.

SIUE scored twice in the ninth inning on three hits against TTU reliever Josh Bryant. Chase Green and Brian Sipe singled to start the inning. Matt Seevers hit a sacrifice fly to the wall in right field to drive in Green. The RBI was the first of Seevers' career. Nick Lombardo then doubled to right center field to drive in Sipe.

Green was 2 for 4 with the run. Travis Becherer was 2 for 3. Seevers finished 1-1 with the RBI. He picked up his first hit as a Cougar pinch-hitting in the seventh. Michael Monagahan also finished 1 for 1 with his first collegiate hit.

TTU starter David Hess earned the win in 6 1/3 innings. He allowed three runs on nine hits. He struck out three.

Ben Burgess led the Golden Eagles going 4 for 5 with three RBIs. Jordan Hopkins was 3 for 5 with a grand slam and six RBIs.

SIUE travels to Evansville Wednesday for a 6 p.m. game.