University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
East Tennessee State
Vols Eclipse East Tennessee State
March 29, 2000 | Baseball
Johnson City, Tenn. (March 28) - Catcher John Massey went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and Justin Parker added two hits, including his second home run, as the Tennessee Volunteers (25-8) defeated the East Tennessee State Buccaneers (6-17), 8-3, at Howard Johnson Field.
The Vols benefitted from eight walks despite being out-hit 10-6 by the Buccaneers.
Marlyn Tisdale (1-0) struckout eight while allowing three runs, one earned, in six innings of relief for the victory. Starter Kurt Scott left after one inning because of shoulder soreness. Logan Brummitt struckout four over the final two innings to close out the game.
Josh Warner (0-2) suffered the defeat as he faced only six batters, walking four and retiring one, before being pulled in the first inning. Jackson Simerly shouldered the load for ETSU as he pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing four runs. Chad Wallace pitched two shutout innings to finish the game.
Tennessee struck for four in the first. Warner walked the first two Vol hitters before uncorking a wild pitch to score Chris Burke with UT's first run. A third straight walk, followed by a Massey single gave the Vols a 2-0 lead. Tennessee added two more runs on groundouts later in the inning.
The Vols built a 6-0 lead in the third when Massey led off the frame with a solo home run to left, followed by Parker's solo blast to right two batters later.
The Bucs struck for two unearned runs in the bottom of the inning when Jeremy Terry scored on a Stevie Daniel's throwing error, and Shannon Carter plated when Ed Sparks reached on a fielders choice.
Chuck DeWald doubled home Terry in the fourth as ETSU cut the Tennessee lead to 6-3.
Tennessee added two insurance runs in the seventh when Jeff Christensen scored from third on an errant throw by DeWald in left field following Massey's third hit of the game, a double. Jeff Baumtrog's sacrifice fly scored Massey for the Vols' eighth run.
The Volunteers will play host to Tennessee Tech, Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Tennessee 402 000 200 - 8 6 1ETSU 002 100 000 - 3 10 2Scott, Tisdale (2), Brummitt (8) and Massey. Warner, Simerly (1), Wallace (8). W-Tisdale (1-0). L-Warner (0-2). HR-UT-Massey (4), Parker (2). T-2:39. Att-513.
