University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
Hawaii-Hilo
Vols Dismantle Hawaii-Hilo, 18-3
February 10, 2000 | Baseball
Burke, Parker net 100 career hits
Tennessee used a six-run third inning and slugged five home runs to drop homestanding Hawaii-Hilo 18-3 Wednesday at Wong Stadium.
Sophomore Chris Burke turned in another stellar evening going 6-of-6 at the plate, including an inside-the-park home run. Burke's home run was the first inside-the-park homer by a Tennessee player since Todd Helton accomplished the feat against ETSU on April 11, 1995. In the top of the seventh, Burke continued his hitting rampage with a single for his sixth consecutive hit of the game. Burke's six-hit performance tied the school record for number of hits in a game shared by Jeff Pickler (1998) and Larry Fielder (1968).
Tennessee scored six runs on seven hits in the third inning highlighted by Burke's home run, and a two-run shot by Kris Bennett. The Vols connected for six consecutive hits with eight straight reaching base in the inning to help give UT a 9-1 lead.
Jeff Christensen hit UT's fifth home run of the game with a two-run shot over the center field fence in the sixth inning, giving him homers in consecutive at-bats.
On the night Tennessee hit a season-high five home runs (Jeff Christensen-2, Kris Bennett, Chris Burke and Ryan Moffett) while tallying 23 hits.
Sophomore Chris Burke and junior Justin Parker both collected their 100th career hits in the game. Burke's came in the top of the second when he slapped a single to center field, while Parker reached the century mark with a single down the third base-line in the top of the third.
Brandon Crowe (1-0), who making his first career start for the Vols, picked up the victory. Taking the loss for Hawaii-Hilo was Joe Bell (0-3).
Tennessee will take a two-day break before concluding the seven-game series with Hawaii-Hilo with a doubleheader Saturday.
