University of Tennessee
Florida
Massey Lifts Vols Over Florida 5-4
April 21, 2000 | Baseball
Knoxville, Tenn. - John Massey's fifth home run of the season in the eighth inning lifted the Tennessee Volunteers to a 5-4 victory over the Florida Gators, despite being out hit 11-6, in the first of three games at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Tennessee improved to 34-15 and 7-10 in the Southeastern Conference, while Florida fell to 29-17-1 and 10-7-1 in the league.
Tim Olson extended his Florida-record hitting streak to 28 games with a single in the fifth.
Jamie Bennett pitched his fifth complete game of the season as he improved to 8-2. Bennett struck out Jason Dill with runners on first and second to end the game. Mike Smalley (3-6) also went the distance for the Gators as he suffered the loss.
The Gators reeled off five straight hits, including a home run by Tony Socarras, an RBI single by Kevin Estrada and sacrifice fly Kurt Keene in grabbing a 3-0 lead in the second. The Vols loaded the bases in the bottom of the frame on Jeff Christensen's double down the right field line and two walks before Jeff Baumtrog delivered with a three-run double to left center to tie the game at 3-3.
Florida regained the lead, 4-3, in the fifth on Peter Nystrom's base hit to right that plated Jason Dill from first. The Vols once again tied it up 4-4 in the bottom of the frame on Chris Burke's sacrifice fly that scored Stevie Daniel who tripled to lead off the inning.
Game two of the three-game series will be Saturday at 7 p.m. EDT
Florida 030 010 000 - 4 11 0Tennessee 030 010 010 - 5 6 0
Smalley and Socarras. Bennett and Massey. W-Bennett (8-2). L-Smalley (3-6). HR-UF-Socarras (13). UT-Massey (5). T-2:35. Att-918.
