University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
Hawaii-Hilo
Vols Blow Away Vulcans 14-6
February 09, 2000 | Baseball
Rod Delmonico became Tennessee's winningest head baseball coach in the Vols' 14-6 win over Hawaii-Hilo Tuesday. The victory gave Delmonico 409 all-time wins as UT's head coach.
Delmonico, who now a record of 409-208 in his 11th season at UT's skipper, came to UT in 1990 and has since produced some of the most memorable moments in the history of the Volunteer baseball program. Delmonico surpasses Bill Wright who amassed a career record of 408-308-2 in 19 years (1963-81).
Under Delmonico, the Vols have won two SEC Championships, taken five teams to the NCAA regionals and advanced to the 1995 College World Series, finishing third in the annual Omaha classic.
Tennessee seemed to have things under control midway through the fourth inning, but things turned ugly quickly in the bottom of the fourth. Junior Justin Parker came in to relieve starter Kurt Scott but was unable to keep the cushion Scott provided. Parker gave up four runs off two hits coupled with two Tennessee errors.
The Vols answered in the top of the fifth when Hawaii-Hilo pitcher Luke Holscher walked three straight batters to set up a grand slam by junior transfer John Massey. Massey's 350-foot slap over the left field fence was his first career grand slam.
Tennessee netted two more runs in the sixth inning to take a 10-4 lead. Late in the sixth inning, Hawaii-Hilo's head coach Geoff Hirai and assistant coach Kallen Miyataki were ejected following a dispute over a call made by the home plate umpire. Umpire Frank Tomasewski called a third strike on Kevin Yee that set off the feud. Hilo coaches contested that catcher Massey exhibited poor sportsmanship on the tag but after a lengthy one-sided discussion, Hirai and Miyataki found themselves in the clubhouse.
Sophomore Chris Burke led all batters with a 4 of 5 performance. In the past two games, Burke has gone 8 of 11 for an average of .727.
Justin Parker (1-0) got the win for the Volunteers while Luke Holscher (1-2) took the loss for Hawaii-Hilo. Tennessee will play one more game in Hilo, Hawaii tomorrow evening before the team travels to Kona, Hawaii to finish out the seven-game series with a doubleheader on Saturday.
