Vols Battle Back to Take Series Opener Against No. 13 Kentucky

Friday, May 4

Knoxville

6:30 P.M. ET

University of Tennessee

26-22, 9-13

#13 Kentucky

29-16, 10-12

Kentucky

Tennessee

Photo by: Caleb Jones/Tennessee Athletics

Vols Battle Back to Take Series Opener Against No. 13 Kentucky

May 04, 2018 | Baseball

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee battled back from an early deficit and got huge performances from Andre Lipcius and Zach Linginfelter to win the series opener, 6-2, against No. 13 Kentucky on Friday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

The pitching combination of Will Heflin, Linginfelter and Garrett Crochet held the potent Wildcats' lineup to a season-low three hits on the night while Lipcius went a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with a home run, two runs and three RBI.

Linginfelter earned his third victory of the year after allowing just two hits in 5.2 scoreless innings. The sophomore from Sevierville also had seven strikeouts on the night, one off his career high.

The Vols got to Kentucky starter and reigning SEC Pitcher of the Year Sean Hjelle early and often, tagging the junior right hander for five runs on 10 hits as he fell to 6-4 on the season.

Wildcats' first baseman Kole Cottam gave UK an early lead with his 16^thhome run of the year, a two-run shot to left field in the top of the first inning.

The Vols got a run back in the second with an RBI single by Evan Russell to cut the deficit in half. Lipcius led off the inning with single and scored on Russell's base hit two batters later.

The Big Orange tied things up in the third as Lipcius singled with the bases loaded to score Brandon Chinea to make it 2-2.

Tennessee struck for two more runs in the fifth to take their first lead of the game. Ammons tripled to right center to give UT the lead and Lipcius singled for the third time to bring in the Memphis native and give the Vols a 4-2 advantage.

Back-to-back hits by Benito Santiago and Nico Mascia allowed the Vols to add to their lead in the sixth. Santiago led off the inning with a base hit to left field, advanced to second on a wild pitch and came around the score on an RBI single by Mascia to give UT a three-run cushion heading into the seventh.

Tennessee scored for the third straight inning when Lipcius continued his monster night with a solo home run to left field to make it 6-2 Vols.

Kentucky threatened in the top of the ninth, using a single and two walks to load the bases with no outs. However, Crochet retired next three batters to slam the door and record his first-career save.

Notable
Have Yourself a Day Andre!
Andre Lipcius had one of the best games of his UT career on Friday night, tying a career high with four hits while also scoring a pair of runs and driving in three. The sophomore shortstop capped his big night with a no-doubt solo blast over the left-field wall in the bottom of the seventh inning to put the Vols ahead 6-2.

Lingo Lights Out
Sophomore right hander Zach Linginfelter has his best outing of the season, throwing a season-high 5.2 innings with seven strikeouts. The Sevierville native held Kentucky's powerful lineup to just two hits and did not give up a run en route to earning his third win of the season.

Vols Hit Hjelle Hard
Tennessee had no problem seeing the ball against the reigning SEC Pitcher of the Year in Kentucky junior Sean Hjelle. The Vols tagged the 6-11 right hander for five runs and 10 hits in 5.2 innings. Both figures were the most against Hjelle this season.

Home Sweet Home to Me
UT continued its stellar play at home in SEC play with Friday night's win. The Vols are now 7-3 in conference play at Lindsey Nelson Stadium this season.

Next Up
Tennessee goes for the series win tomorrow in game two at 6 p.m. Fans can catch the game live on SEC Network+ (WatchESPN) or listen live on Sports Radio WNML (FM 99.1 / AM 990).