University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
UC Irvine
Diamond Vols Fall To UC Irvine, 5-2
February 27, 2015 | Baseball
IRVINE, Calif. -- In Game 1 of Tennessee's Friday doubleheader against UC Irvine, the Vols fell to the Anteaters in a 5-2 decision.
Starter Bret Marks worked through 6.0 innings in his third start of year, allowing one earned run on five hits. He carried a 8.2 hitless innings streak - dating back to Feb. 13 - into the third frame, when Anteaters' second baseman John Brontsema knocked a gapper into left-center for a triple. Despite the loss, Marks held a 11.0 scoreless innings streak until the third against UC Irvine, spanning three starts since Feb. 13 at FIU.
The Vols got on the boards first in the second inning, when second baseman Nick Senzel led off with a stand-up double down the right field line. After moving to third on a balk call against Irvine's starter Elliot Surrey, Senzel came across to score on a wild pitch and put UT ahead, 1-0. Later in the fourth inning, center fielder Vincent Jackson reached base on a hard-hit single to center. Jackson tagged up and moved to second on a deep fly ball to right hit by designated hitter Andrew Plunkett before scoring on a left field liner delivered by third baseman Jordan Rodgers.
The Anteaters jumped ahead to a 4-2 lead in the sixth, plating three runs after first baseman Jonathan Munoz knocked one past Jackson to the center field wall. Called as a fielding error on Jackson, Marks went on to finish the inning with a huge strikeout from 'Eaters Brontsema for his fifth strikeout of the day. With five strikeouts, Marks tied his single-game high for the third time this season.
Righthander Peter Lenstrohm entered the game in the seventh and tossed 2.0 innings. True freshman Brodie Leftridge also made his collegiate debut for the Vols in the same frame, taking the place of Chris Hall in the Vols lineup at right field.
In Game 2, righty Kyle Serrano looks to make the start for Tennessee against former Vol right-handed pitcher Matt Esparza.
Stay tuned for more information on Game 1 and a recap of Game 2 coming soon to UTSports.com.
