Box Score COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Belmont baseball used a powerful offensive performance and a decisive middle-inning surge to defeat the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles baseball, 11-7, Tuesday night at Quillen Field at Bush Stadium.
Belmont collected 17 hits on the night and broke the game open in the middle innings, highlighted by a pivotal home run from Brady Holbrook that proved to be the turning point of the contest.
Tennessee Tech struck first in the opening inning, taking a 1-0 lead before the Bruins responded in the second. Belmont plated two runs to take its first lead of the night, capitalizing on early offensive momentum to go up 2-1.
After the Golden Eagles tied the game in the third, the Bruins answered again with a homerun to right-center from Mike Sprockett in the fourth to regain a 3-2 advantage. The contest remained tight until Belmont's explosive fifth inning.
With runners on base and the offense beginning to click, Holbrook stepped to the plate and delivered the game's defining moment. The Belmont outfielder launched a home run that drove in four runs, igniting a six-run inning for the Bruins and swinging the momentum firmly in Belmont's favor. The blast pushed Belmont's lead to 9-3 and forced Tennessee Tech to play from behind the rest of the night.
Belmont continued to add insurance runs in the sixth and seventh innings while the pitching staff worked to keep the Golden Eagles at bay. Tennessee Tech attempted a late rally, scoring three runs in the ninth, but the Bruins closed the door to secure the 11-7 victory.
Offensively, Belmont was led by several strong performances throughout the lineup. Holbrook finished the night with two hits and four RBIs, while catcher Mike Sprockett added three hits and a home run of his own. Shortstop Cavan McMeans continued his hot stretch at the plate with two hits and an RBI.
McMeans entered the game fresh off earning Newcomer of the Week honors from the Missouri Valley Conference after an impressive week at the plate. Freshman pitcher McKale Stevenson was also recognized by the conference, taking home Freshman of the Week honors for his key relief appearances the previous week.
With the win, Belmont improves its momentum heading deeper into the season as the Bruins continue to build consistency both offensively and on the mound.
Belmont will now turn its attention to play UAB later this week as the Bruins look to carry Tuesday's offensive rhythm into that series.
Up Next
Belmont Baseball continues they road trip to Brimingham, Ala. for the second time this season to face UAB with first pitch at 4:00 PM on Friday, March 13.
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