University of Tennessee
Kentucky
Kentucky Edges Vols in 5-3 Saturday Win
April 18, 2015 | Baseball
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- The Kentucky Wildcats scattered 12 hits and knocked back-to-back home runs en route to a 5-3 win over Tennessee on Saturday, completing the series sweep against the Volunteers at Cliff Hagan Stadium.
With the loss, Tennessee moves to 15-20 on the season and 5-13 in SEC competition, while Kentucky is now 22-16 and 8-9 in conference play. The three-game sweep is the first for the Wildcats over Tennessee since May 9-11, 2008 in Knoxville, Tenn.
The Vols' bats struggled in the start against the Wildcats' staff, combining for three runs on nine hits, led by junior left fielder Christin Stewart (2-for-3) and shortstop A.J. Simcox (2-for-3, R, 2B).
"We showed some urgency late," Head Coach Dave Serrano said. "We were one swing away from tying the ballgame in the eighth inning and we didn't get it done. Then in the ninth, we were a swing away from tying it and a swing away from taking the lead and we just can't get over that hump. It's frustrating and it's frustrating to our guys. We're putting ourselves in these holes and like I said to them, we have to continue to fight."
Kentucky pushed one run across in the first via back-to-back doubles from Evan White and Ka'ai Tom. Tennessee answered in the top of the second to even the game at 1-1, as Simcox reached on a hit-by-pitch and came around to score on a RBI-groundout by third baseman Jared Pruett.
In starting lefty Drake Owenby's final inning on the mound, Kentucky put together a string of four hits and plated the go-ahead run to make it 2-1 in the third. Tennessee's defense then went to work, turning a double play with bases loaded and one out to get out of the jam.
UT's luck turned again in the fifth, as Kentucky's Tom and JaVon Shelby knocked back-to-back home runs against the Vols to further their lead to 5-1.
In the eighth, Volunteer pinch hitters Jordan Rodgers, David Houser and second baseman Nick Senzel gave Tennessee a comeback chance, reaching base on a leadoff double, walk and outfield single with one out. But two strikeouts and a lineout to right field ended the rally for the Vols.
First baseman Andrew Lee and Simcox again threatened in the ninth, putting runners on second and third for UT with one out. Rodgers hit a sac fly to center to score Lee from third and make it 5-2, before Houser drove in Simcox with an outfield single. The rally continued as Tennessee made it a 5-3 game but a fly ball to RF ended the game for the UT.
Owenby threw 2.1 innings in what was his shortest start of the year, allowing two runs on six hits with four strikeouts. Despite the brief outing, Owenby did not issue a walk to his 14 total batters faced, marking his second straight outing to not allow a free pass this year (also, April 11 against Missouri).
Righthander Kyle Serrano entered the game with bases loaded in the third and went 2.0 innings, allowing three runs on four hits with two home runs to cushion Kentucky's lead to 5-1. Relievers Hunter Martin then battled on the hill for the Vols and threw 1.2 scoreless frames before righty Steven Kane came in to hold Kentucky and finish the game.
"We've got to make some changes and I've said that for a long time," Serrano said. "We're not sustaining things but I'm proud of what they did in the eighth and ninth innings. They fought back and it seems like we have a lot going against us but we have to overcome that kind of stuff."
Next up for the Volunteers, the squad travels to Johnson City, Tennessee on Tuesday, April 21 for a 6:05 p.m. ET matchup against East Tennessee State. The Vols then begin a stretch of eight straight home games, beginning with a three-game series against the South Carolina Gamecocks (April 24-26) at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
For the most up-to-date information about the Tennessee baseball program, visit UTSports.com/baseball and follow @Vol_Baseball on Twitter.
