University of Tennessee
Arkansas
No. 24 Vols Shutout Arkansas, 14-0
March 12, 2000 | Baseball
KNOXVILLE-John Massey went 4-for-5 and Jamie Bennett tossed eight shutout innings to help Tennessee to a 14-0 win over the Arkansas Razorbacks on Sunday.
Tennessee (18-6, 1-2) entered Sunday's match-up on the heels of two consecutive losses to Arkansas over the weekend and looked in jeopardy of being swept at home for the first time since Louisiana State in 1997. The Vols were also in danger of starting the 2000 SEC season at 0-3 while losing six-straight games to Arkansas dating back to a three-game sweep in Fayetteville last season. But, behind the strong arm of senior Jamie Bennett and the bat of junior John Massey, the Vols were able to end both losing skids.
For the first time in the series, Tennessee took a lead when Stevie Daniel grounded into a double play that forced Chris Burke home to give the Vols a 1-0 lead in the first. The Vols took a three run lead in the second thanks to a RBI double by John Massey and a RBI single by Jeff Baumtrog. In the bottom of the fourth, Massey connected on a solo home run to give Tennessee a 5-0 lead while giving him his second home run of the season. Massey finished the day by going 4-for-5 at the plate for a season-high and punched out three RBI.
The Vols scored runs in the first seven innings including a four run fifth and seventh to put the game out of reach and hand Arkansas their worst defeat of the season. Jamie Bennett improved his season record to 5-1 after tossing eight shutout innings while striking out three batters. Bennett has now pitched 11-straight scoreless innings dating back to a three inning shutout against Eastern Kentucky on March 8.
The Hog pitching staff placed five pitchers on the mound but were unable to cool off the Tennessee arsenal who accounted for 17 hits on the afternoon. Mike Moriarity took the loss for Arkansas and falls to 1-1 on the season.
Tennessee will take a short break from conference action and will wrap up a 12-game homestand by hosting the Dayton Flyers at Lindsey Nelson Stadium on Wednesday. The game is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.
