University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
UC Irvine
UC Irvine Edges Vols In 9th, 2-1
February 28, 2015 | Baseball
IRVINE, Calif. -- The Tennessee Volunteers battled UC Irvine into the ninth inning of Game Two in Friday's doubleheader contest, but the Anteaters came out on top for a 2-1 win at Anteaters Ballpark.
"That [second game] was a good college baseball game for seven, eight innings," Head Coach Dave Serrano said. "I thought Matt Esparza and Kyle Serrano matched up tremendously and Andy [Cox] got out of some jams. It's a long season. I'm disappointed but I'm not going to quit on these guys. Adversity is a good thing, if you handle it right, because it's going to make you stronger. I think right now the game is telling us that we have to become tougher and stronger. That's hard for me to say, but we're also seven games into the stretch. We have to find a way to become tougher."
Righthander Kyle Serrano got the nod for Game Two against the Anteaters and tossed 6.2 innings, holding UC Irvine hitless through the first three frames. With his 6.2 innings to start Friday night's game, Serrano established a new career high in innings pitched. He did not issue a walk until the seventh frame, while his four strikeouts were just one shy from tying a career high.
"I hope this was a breakout game for Kyle," Serrano said. "He has all the potential in the world. I was very proud of him tonight in this kind of setting, back where he grew up with a lot of people he knows, he handled it extremely well. Hopefully that's his breakout start that will set his career off at Tennessee and lead to very good things for this program."
Left fielder Christin Stewart got the Vols started early, sailing a solo home run over the right field fence for the first Tennessee homer of the 2015 season. Through the Vols' first seven games of the year, Stewart now has four extra-base hits including two doubles, one triple and one home run.
After facing three batters in the seventh inning, Serrano was relieved by left-handed pitcher Andy Cox. Cox finished the frame, and went on to throw 2.1 innings in relief to receive the loss.
In the field, the Volunteers put forth an impressive display on defense against UC Irvine, highlighted by diving-catch plays from third baseman Jordan Rodgers, shortstop A.J. Simcox and second baseman Nick Senzel.
On Saturday, the Volunteers will face off against UC Irvine in a 4 p.m. ET contest, with lefthander Drake Owenby slated to start for the Vols against Anteaters lefty Evan Manarino. For live stats, live blog and additional information on the UT-UC Irvine weekend series, stay tuned to Tennessee's Baseball Central at UTSports.com.
