x
Breaking News
More () »

Tennessee Tech run powered by Knoxville arms and bats

As the Golden Eagles hope to head to Omaha, Tennessee Tech has some local players with big roles.

The Golden Eagles knocking off SEC Champion Ole Miss in Oxford was the talk of regional play. The Rebels racked up 48 wins during the season, had Major League talent and won the SEC Tournament just a week before.

None of that mattered to Tennessee Tech. TTU dropped a one-run game, but blasted 15 runs in the next matchup, eventually dropping Ole Miss 3-2 with a trip to the super regionals on the line.

There's talent all over this 52-win team: eight players were selected in the MLB Draft. Some of it, comes from right here in East Tennessee. Five players on the TTU roster played high school ball in the area:

-Jacob Parham (Farragut)

-Tony Curry (Roane County)

-Travis Moths (William Blount)

-Chase Chambers (Farragut)

-Nick Osborne (Seiver County)

Those last two, Chase Chambers and Nick Osborne, played pivotal roles in the final two games against Ole Miss. Chambers is one of just ten players who are hitting at or above .400 this season. He's also not afraid to go yard: 17 home runs on the year for the senior first baseman, including two during regional play.

"It's a good feeling," said Chambers. "We're finally getting the attention we deserve. Hopefully in the future, it will bring this program to new heights."

Chambers said, to join the long line of successful Admirals to play college ball is nothing short of incredible.

"I played with a ton of good players at Farragut," Chambers said. "To be on that level, especially on a stage like this, is amazing."

Nick Osborne, a junior, is used to playing in the outfield, but was a starting pitcher at the beginning of the season.

"For the past, like month, I've been begging coach to pitch," said Osborne. "It's just one of those situations where you've got to want the ball."

He got exactly what he asked for in the final game of the regional, of all times. Osborne stepped in at the top of the seventh inning, striking out two batters and giving up zero runs, ultimately earning a win, and a trip to the super regionals for him and his team.

"It was such an unbelievable feeling, knowing we were about to go to super regions and we won a regional," said Osborne. "Our dreams are coming true."

Osborne grew up in Sevierville and played ball for Sevier County High School. He sees the support from those close to him in the stands.

"I'm only two hours away so a lot of people from my hometown are able to come to the games," said Osborne. "It's just so awesome to have your hometown behind you."

Head coach Matt Bragga said players from the Knoxville area have always been a great addition to his teams at Tennessee Tech.

"You know the great things about Knoxville is we find those guys are so hard-nosed and blue-collared which fits our program perfectly," said Bragga.

So what's next for this Golden Eagle squad and its Knoxville core against Texas in the Austin Super Regional?

"We are going to go out there and play," said Chambers, "I don't think the pressure is going to be any different than it was last week. The pressure is really on them."

"We're still playing for the whole town, for our teammates," said Osborne.

The best of three series will start on Saturday, June 9 at 3:00 p.m. in Austin.

Before You Leave, Check This Out