Tennessee Tech Opens 2026 Baseball Season at No. 25 Texas A&M
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles baseball team begins its 2026 season with a three-game series against the No. 25 Texas A&M Aggies, starting Friday at 6 p.m. CT. The games will be broadcast on SEC Network+.
The Golden Eagles enter the season aiming to build on a successful 2025 campaign where they tied for the most wins in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) with 18, finishing with an overall record of 37-21. Throughout its history, the program has secured 14 OVC Championships – 10 regular-season titles and 4 tournament championships.
Tech’s 37 wins in 2025 represented the program’s highest win total since a 53-win season in 2018, which culminated in a berth in the NCAA Super Regional against Texas.
The pitching matchups for the series are expected to be Jaxson Pease (RHP) against Shane Sdao (LHP) on Friday, Cooper Casteel (LHP) versus Weston Moss (RHP) on Saturday, and Logan Moller (RHP) taking the mound against Aiden Simms (RHP) on Sunday.
Game times are set for 6 p.m. CT on Friday, February 13, 2 p.m. CT on Saturday, February 14, and 12 p.m. CT on Sunday, February 15. All three games will be available to watch on SEC Network+.
The Golden Eagles will be looking to key players like Owen Lee and Reece McDuffie, both named Players to Watch by the OVC. Lee appeared in 56 games last season, hitting nine home runs and driving in 37 runs. He recorded 13 multi-hit games and reached base at a .368 clip. McDuffie, a standout reliever, pitched 54.2 innings last season, maintaining a 3.13 ERA and limiting opponents to a .250 batting average.
McDuffie has also been recognized on the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Preseason Watch List, highlighting his effectiveness as a closer. Last season, he recorded five saves and allowed just 19 earned runs in his 21 appearances.
Jorsixt Jimenez, an All-OVC returner, is expected to contribute significantly to the Golden Eagles’ offense. Last season, Jimenez batted .315 with six home runs and 35 RBIs, recording 56 hits in 48 games.
Tennessee Tech has added 16 newcomers to the roster for the 2026 season, including transfers and freshmen who are expected to compete for playing time. Notable additions include fifth-year senior catcher Manny Garza, who previously played at Rice and Arizona State, and Nash Crowell, a graduate transfer from Reinhardt University, known for his power hitting.
Other newcomers poised to make an impact include Connor Crowson from Montevallo, who posted a 1.096 OPS with 16 home runs and 62 RBIs last season, and Ty Barnett, Cooper Casteel, Nash Crowell, Connor Crowson, Jayden Dillard, Cade Fuller, Manny Garza, Drew Kirby, Alex Kuntz, Jamie Robertson, Ty Denton, A.J. Marchetti, Tyler Bennett, Carson Davis, Justin Fallon, and Jaxon Jones.
Returning players such as Eddie Garza, Owen Lee, and Landon Smelser are also expected to play key roles in the Golden Eagles’ lineup. Senior second baseman Eddie Garza hit .288 last season, while shortstop Owen Lee batted .249 and center fielder Landon Smelser finished with a .309 average.
Following the series at Texas A&M, the Golden Eagles will return to Cookeville for their home opener against Lipscomb on Tuesday, February 17, at 3 p.m. CT.
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