University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
Oregon State
Vols Score Two in Bottom of 9th to Win Opener Over Oregon State
February 20, 2009 | Baseball
Feb. 20, 2009
On the day after the Tennessee baseball program honored its 26-man All-Century team, the Volunteers opened their 100th season of baseball with a come-from behind victory in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat Oregon State 5-4 on Friday afternoon at Robert M. Lindsay Field at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. The newly renovated stadium hosted a crowd of 2,048 that came out to watch the second season of head coach Todd Raleigh's tenure at UT get underway.
Kentrail Davis provided the game-tying single followed by Josh Liles' game-winning single to right-center field. Pinch hitter Mike Hornsby led off the inning with a single. Hornsby advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt off the bat of lead-off hitter Zach Osborne. Cody Brown then popped out to the shortstop, giving the Vols a runner at second with two out.
Davis' single to first base scored Hornsby, tying the game at 4-4. Davis then moved into scoring position on a balk by Oregon State pitcher Kevin Rhoderick with two outs in the inning. The next batter, Cody Hawn, was intentionally walked to put runners at first and second.
Liles then provided the run-scoring single to give the Vols the victory, their first of the 2009 season. Liles went 2-for-5 on the evening with his one RBI the most crucial of the game.
"That is a heck of job," Raleigh said. "That was a heck of a college game. Win or lose those are two pretty good teams right there. Especially early in the season, having both teams playing well, that's hard to do opening day. We did a good job with two outs. Two-out RBI are what will win you games."
Freshman pitcher Will Locante earned his first collegiate victory, pitching 1/3 of an inning, giving up only one hit. Sophomore right-hander Rhoderick took the loss after pitching 2/3 inning and allowing two runs on three hits.
Oregon State got on the board first when catcher Ryan Ortiz doubled home centerfielder Adalberto Santos. Santos reached on a double of his own. The Beavers added another run on an RBI single off the bat of designated hitter Blake Gibbs. Ortiz scored from second to give Oregon State a 2-0 lead after the top of third inning.
Blake Forsythe put the Vols on the board in the bottom of the third inning with his first-career home run over the wall in left field. Tennessee took the lead 3-2 in the same inning when first basemen Cody Hawn drove in both Zack Osborne and Davis. Osborne and Davis both reached on walks and then advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch from OSU pitcher Tanner Robles.
Oregon State evened the game a 3-3 when Santos singled through the left side of the infield to score first basemen Stefen Romero who was hit by a pitch to start the inning.
The Beavers broke the 3-3 tie in the top of the ninth inning with an RBI single off the bat of pinch-hitter Jared Norris. Santos scored the go-ahead run after reaching base on an error Locante gave up the single that scored the unearned run. Locante replaced Ty'Relle Harris who pitched 3 2/3 innings allowing one unearned run on two hits while striking out three.
Vol starter Nick Hernandez gave way to right-handed pitcher Harris in the top of the sixth inning. Hernandez finished his day going five innings, allowing just three runs on nine hits while walking one and striking out five.
Oregon State's starter Tanner Robles went five innings, allowing three runs on three hits. He also gave up four walks and struck out two batters.
Hawn finished the night 1-for-4 with two RBI.
The Vols are 65-33-2 all-time in season openers.
Sophomore left-hander Bryan Morgado will start on the mound Saturday for Tennessee opposite right-handed sophomore Tyler Waldron for Oregon State. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.
