University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols Rally To Defeat VCU, 10-6
February 10, 2001 | Baseball
Charleston, S.C. - For the second time in as many games, the Tennessee Volunteers had to rally as they posted their second victory of the season. This time the Vols overcame a five-run deficit to post a 10-6 triumph over the Virginia Commonwealth Rams at the Berkeley Electric Cooperative Classic in Charleston, S.C.
The Vols (2-0) trailed 4-0 after the first inning and 5-0 after three before mounting a five-run rally in the top of the seventh to tie the game.
Brandon Hopkins led off the frame with his second hit of the day and only the fourth by a Vol as VCU starter Bo Acors shutout Tennessee through the first six innings. Hopkins' single was the first of four consecutive hits delivered by the Vols that plated two runs to cut the lead to 5-2. A run scoring ground out by designated hitter Matt Sternberg helped move Chris Burke and Stevie Daniel, who reached via a walk and fielders choice, to second a third with two out. That set the table for Ryan Moffett's hard lining single up the middle to tie the game at 5-5.
Freshman pitcher Patrick Hicklen (1-0), who worked four innings in relief of starter Brian Gates, picked up the win as he retired the first seven batters he faced, including sending the Rams down in order after Tennessee tied the game in the seventh.
The Vols took the lead for good in the eighth when catcher Javi Herrera, who posted his second two-hit game, scored on a fielders choice with one out. Kris Bennett later scored on a throwing error by Ram pitcher Sean Marshall for a 7-5 Tennessee lead.
A three-run ninth, keyed by an RBI double from Herrera, a single by Dennis Gomez and a wild pitch from VCU's fourth pitcher of the day, Doug Estep, gave the Vols a comfortable 10-5 leading heading into the bottom of the frame.
Joshua Artega got the Rams (0-2) going in the first as he slugged a three-run home run over the left field fence for a 3-0 lead. They added the fourth run on the first of three Stevie Daniel errors on the day. Jose Pabon lined a home run to left center in the ninth for the final Ram run.
Davy Martin (0-1) suffered the loss for VCU as he allowed four runs in one-plus inning of work.
Burke had a milestone day as he collected the 200th hit of his career in his final at-bat in the ninth inning. Burke became the eight Vol to join UT's 200-hit club. Others include: Todd Helton (280), Jeff Pickler (259), Ronnie Hartsfield (237), Travis Copley (229), Justin Ross (220), Ed Lewis (219) and Mike Basse (213).
In addition, he also tied the school record for assists with nine, joining Mark McClain who set the mark against Florida in 1989.
Tennessee will face the Richmond Spiders Sunday at 10 a.m. ET.
Tennessee 000 000 523-10 12 3Virginia Commonwealth 401 000 001-6 9 2
Gates, Hicklen (6) and Herrera. Acors, Martin (7), Marshall (8), Estep (9) and Bauswell.
W-Hicklen (1-0). L-Martin (0-1).
HR-VCU-Artega (1), Pabon (1).
T-3:08. Att-1210.
