ALGOOD, Tenn. (Interstat) — Morehead State built an early lead and held on for a 4-3 victory over Tennessee Tech on Friday afternoon at Bush Stadium at Averitt Express Baseball Complex.

The Eagles took a 2-1 lead in the second inning when right fielder Austyn Peak launched a two-run home run to right field, scoring catcher Jacob Kean who had doubled earlier in the frame. Morehead State extended its advantage in the third. Second baseman Aubrey Kearns doubled to left center, driving in left fielder Ryan Germann, and shortstop Andrew Correa followed with a single to center that scored Kearns, making it 4-1.

Tennessee Tech answered in the bottom of the fourth. Third baseman Connor Crowson hit a two-run homer to right field that plated designated hitter Ty Garza, cutting the deficit to 4-3. That was the final scoring of the game.

The Golden Eagles threatened in the eighth when Crowson tripled to right center with two outs, but relief pitcher Jacob Vanover struck out Garza swinging to end the inning. Vanover, who entered in the seventh, worked one and one-third scoreless innings with one strikeout, allowing no hits. Sam Smith also contributed one and two-thirds hitless innings in relief of starter Kamden Hawks. Hawks went three innings, allowing two earned runs on one hit with one strikeout.

Tennessee Tech starter Jaxson Pease took the loss despite a solid outing. Pease pitched seven innings, allowing four earned runs on nine hits while striking out five. Relievers Cooper Casteel and Drew Kirby each threw one scoreless inning, combining for two strikeouts.

Morehead State outhit Tennessee Tech 10-6. Kearns finished 2 for 4 with one RBI. Peak went 1 for 4 with two RBIs. For the Golden Eagles, Crowson was 2 for 3 with a home run, a triple and two RBIs.

The win improved Morehead State’s record to 30-22 overall, 16-8 in the Ohio Valley Conference. Tennessee Tech fell to 18-36, 8-19. The teams continue their series Saturday afternoon.

Morehead State used five pitchers in the game. Landon Waugh started and went two innings, allowing one earned run on one hit with one strikeout. Vanover, Smith and reliever Brayden Wells, who earned the save with a scoreless ninth, combined for four and one-third hitless innings.

The game’s most pivotal moment came in the bottom of the eighth after Crowson’s triple put the tying run 90 feet away with two outs. Vanover’s strikeout of Garza preserved the one-run lead and set the stage for Wells’ closing work.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Morehead State 8, Tennessee Tech 4. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Tennessee Tech with a 53.60 percent probability to win.