EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (Interstat) — Tim Teixeira struck out nine over seven scoreless innings Friday, leading SIU Edwardsville to a 6-1 victory over Tennessee Tech in an Ohio Valley Conference opener at Roy E. Lee Field.

The Cougars broke a 1-1 tie with a three-run sixth inning. Sean Kang and Daniel Gierer each had RBI singles in the frame, part of a nine-hit attack for SIU Edwardsville. Kang finished with two RBIs.

Tennessee Tech managed just five hits, scoring its lone run on an RBI single by Jimenez in the fifth. Golden Eagles starter Jaxson Pease took the loss.

SIU Edwardsville improved to 12-14 overall, while Tennessee Tech fell to 9-17. The series continues Saturday.