University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols Fall to ETSU as Polk Logs 4 Hits
April 09, 2008 | Baseball
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JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. ??? Tennessee out-hit ETSU 15-11 Wednesday but it wasn???t enough to prevent the opportunistic Buccaneers from handing the Volunteers baseball team a 10-9 loss at Cardinal Park. The Bucs posted three separate three-run innings, used six pitchers and received RBI from six different players in the win.
Tennessee freshman left fielder P.J. Polk collected a career-high four hits as the Vols fell to 20-12. Vols sophomore Jeff Lockwood drove in three runs on a pair of hits, and UT shortstop Danny Lima produced three hits while logging two RBI.
ETSU upped its record to 8-24 with the win, which was credited to reliever Darren Caldwell (1-0). Brandon Langston pitched the final inning for the Bucs while recording his first save of the season.
UT sophomore Steve Crnkovich was saddled with the loss to fall to 4-4 on the year.
The Vols jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first Wednesday, with Polk and catcher Yan Gomes scoring on a two-run double to right-center by Lockwood. Polk had previously reached on a leadoff single, and Gomes was hit by a pitch.
ETSU countered with three runs on two hits in the bottom of the first. The Bucs were aided by a pair of hit batsmen and a two-base throwing error by Vols starting pitcher Joey Rosas.
Tennessee tied the game at 3-3 with three consecutive basehits to lead off the top of the second. Lima plated UT???s third run with an RBI single up the middle. Hot-hitting senior Shawn Griffin later drove in a run with an RBI bloop single, Gomes drew an RBI walk from Bucs starting pitcher Ty Sarchet and Lockwood drove in his second run of the game on an infield error.
In total, the Vols sent 10 men to the plate in the second while scoring four runs on five hits to take a 6-3 lead.
Bucs designated hitter Bart Roark made it a two-run game with an RBI single in the third, and ETSU shortstop Nick Belcher tied the game at 6-6 with a two-run homer in the fourth. Paul Hoilman doubled to right-center later with two outs in the fourth, driving in a run and putting the Bucs on top 7-6.
The Vols wasted little time restoring their lead in the top of the fifth. Lima drove in second baseman Andy Simunic with an RBI single and then scored from first on Polk???s second double in as many at-bats.
Tennessee pushed its lead to 9-7 in the sixth when Gomes scored from third on an RBI fielder???s choice by freshman right fielder Josh Liles, but Bucs right fielder Troy Mendez needed just one swing to tie the score once again in the bottom of the frame. After a leadoff walk by Belcher, Mendez belted a game-tying two-run blast to right field.
Five batters later, ETSU second baseman Ben Allen delivered a two-out RBI single to put his club back in command, 10-9. It would prove to be the difference.
Gomes drew a leadoff walk in the top of the eighth, and attempted to take second base one batter later when Lockwood flied out to deep centerfield. Third-base umpire Darrell Arnold called Lockwood???who represented the tying run???out at second for a rare 8-4 double play.
Lockwood???s flyball on the play was estimated to travel approximately 410 feet, meaning the throw to second by Bucs centerfielder Jacob Fabry needed to cover around 290 feet. An argument ensued after the putout at second base, and UT head coach Todd Raleigh and assistant coach Bradley LeCroy both were ejected.
Tennessee pitching coach Fred Corral took over first-base coaching duties, while volunteer assistant coach Nate Headley replaced Raleigh as UT???s third-base coach.
The Vols managed a two-out baserunner in the top of the ninth, but Langston then induced a foul fly to end the game.
First-year Vol Tanner Moore???a sophomore transfer from ETSU???started at third base Wednesday and went 1-for-3 with a run and two walks.
Wednesday???s game marked the first of a 2008 home-and-home series between the Vols and Bucs. Tennessee hosts ETSU on April 23 at 7 p.m. in Knoxville. That game will be televised regionally on SportSouth.
Tennessee???s next action comes this weekend when it hosts Southeastern Conference foe Alabama for a three-game set at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Game times are set for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Saturday???s game will be televised regionally on SportSouth.
