EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Spencer Stearns allowed a single run on three hits over eight innings Saturday as SIUE picked up an 8-1 win over Tennessee Tech to win the Ohio Valley Conference series at Roy E. Lee Field.
SIUE moved to 5-0 in OVC play and 13-14 overall. Stearns tied his career high with eight innings pitched and improved to 3-2 with the win.
Tennessee Tech dropped to 0-5 in the league and 9-18 overall.
For the second day in a row, the Cougars got on the board in the first inning. SIUE scored four times on four hits and chased Tennessee Tech starter Garrett Holpuch (2-2) before the inning ended. Ryan Niedzwiedz, Mack Mitchell and Terrick Thompson-Allen all had RBI-hits in the inning.
The Golden Eagles lone run came in the second inning on an Eddie Garza sacrifice fly.
Niedzwiedz pushed the lead back to four runs with his OVC-leading 12th home run of the season leading off the third inning. Chase Bloomer extended the lead to 6-1 with an RBI single in the fourth inning. SIUE took advantage of a two-out error and added two runs in the fifth on a two-out, two-run triple by Brenden Fry.
The Cougars outhit the Golden Eagles 11-5 in the game. Bloomer finished 3-5. Niedzwiedz and Thompson-Allen each had two hits.
SIUE will play for its second straight series sweep Sunday afternoon. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Simmons Baseball Complex.
