Rhinesmith Homers, Steals in 10-1 Loss to Golden Eagles

Tuesday, April 17

Nick Denes Field

5:00 PM

Western Kentucky University

17-19

Tennessee Tech

30-5

Tennessee Tech

WKU

Photo by: Steve Roberts, WKU Athletics

4/17/2018 8:30:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Jacob Rhinesmith hit and homerun and stole a base for WKU Baseball, but the Hilltoppers dropped a 10-1 decision to Tennessee Tech on Tuesday night. The Golden Eagles extended the longest win streak in the nation to 21 straight.

Ten days after becoming only the second hitter in Division I to reach the 10-homerun, 10-steal mark, Rhinesmith recorded one of each for the season time this season. Since then, a handful of others have joined the club.

Four of the first five Tennessee Tech hitters to reach base in the top of the fourth, as the visitors took an early 3-0 lead. But WKU starter Troy Newell settled in, retiring 11 of the final 12 batters to cap his outing with three scoreless innings.

The Golden Eagles scratched across two more in the fifth and one in the following frame before Rhinesmith struck in the bottom of the sixth. On a 3-1 pitch from Tennessee Tech starter Nic Dye, the center fielder hit the top of the Nick Denes Field scoreboard with a swing to cut the Hilltopper deficit to 7-1.

Shortstop David Garza went 3-for-5 for the Golden Eagles with two homeruns and a double. The senior hit a three-run homerun in the top of the ninth to round out the scoring in the 10-1 final.

Righty Jeff Ciocco made his first appearance since March 9, retiring the last two Tennessee Tech batters. In 2.2 innings of work in three appearances this season, the sophomore has not given up a run with only one hit and one walk against.

Up Next
WKU travels to UAB for a Friday-to-Sunday set in Conference USA action from April 20-22 at Regions Field, the home of the Birmingham Barons. First pitch on Friday will be at 6:30 p.m., followed by 2 p.m. start times on Saturday and 1 p.m. for the finale on Sunday.