Tennessee Defeats Cincinnati, 7-1, in Home Opener

Wednesday, March 2

Knoxville

4:00 PM

University of Tennessee

6-1

Cincinnati

0-7

Cincinnati

Tennessee

March 02, 2016 | Baseball

Box Score

Box Score | Photo Gallery 

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Led by a stellar start from freshman righthander Daniel Vasquez, Tennessee defeated the Cincinnati Bearcats, 7-1, in the Vols' 2016 Home Opener at Lindsey Nelson Stadium on Wednesday night.

Vasquez went 5.0 innings in his first career start for Tennessee, fanning seven batters while allowing just one run on two hits. Prior to his Home Opener nod, Vasquez had pitched a combined 1.0 inning over two relief appearances.

"Daniel Vasquez made some really good pitches," Head Coach Dave Serrano said."I was very proud of him, making his first start in our opening game here at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. I thought he pitched tremendously."

For the third-straight game, Tennessee's offense put up multiple runs in the first inning, this time jumping ahead of the Bearcats by a 5-0 margin. Jeff Moberg (1-for-4) and Chris Hall (1-for-2) began the frame with back-to-back singles before Nick Senzel (1-for-3) drew a walk to load the bases. Following a hit-by-pitch against Vincent Jackson (0-for-3, RBI), bringing in one run, Jordan Rodgers (2-for-4, 3 RBI) drilled a three-run triple down the right field line, giving UT a 5-0 advantage.

Rodgers came up big for the Volunteers again in the third, leading off with a double to left field and eventually scoring on a passed ball behind the plate.

Cincinnati chipped away at the early deficit, ending UT's shutout effort in the fifth with a solo home run by first baseman Ryan Noda.

In relief, lefty Aaron Soto (0.2) entered the game in the sixth for Vasquez and retired two of three batters before righthander Eric Freeman (1.1) was called upon. Freeman went on to retire four of his five batters faced, setting up Zach Reid (1.0) and Steven Kane (1.0) to hold the Bearcats for a 7-1 victory.

Update: Serrano to Miss 2016 Season

Following Wednesday's Home Opener, Tennessee Athletics and the UT medical staff released the following update on junior righthander Kyle Serrano:

"Kyle Serrano has sustained a right elbow injury that further evaluation has shown will most likely require season-ending elbow surgery. He will consult with an orthopedic specialist to determine if and when this surgery will be performed."

Stay tuned for more coming soon to UTSports.com.

Vol Baseball Quick Hits

Following their Home Opener victory on Wednesday, Tennessee moves to 17-5-1 all-time vs. Cincinnati and extended their current win streak to 13 games against the Bearcats (dating back to 1976).
Tennessee's pitching staff combined for 13 strikeouts, the most by the Vols' staff this season.
With back-to-back singles in the first inning, seniors Jeff Moberg and Chris Hall extended their current hit streaks to seven games. Fellow senior Derek Lance also joined the seven-game hit streak, with an infield single in the eighth inning.
Vol Baseball now owns a five-game win streak.
Wednesday's attendance at Lindsey Nelson Stadium: 1,096
Up Next for the Vols: On Friday, March 4, the Vols begin their second tournament appearance of 2016 as they head to Greenville, N.C., to participate in East Carolina University's Keith LeClair Classic. Over the weekend, Tennessee will play Maryland (Friday, March 4 at 12 p.m. ET), tournament host ECU (Saturday, March 5 at 4:30 p.m. ET) and Southeastern Louisiana (Sunday, March 6 at 11 a.m. ET).

For more information on Tennessee Baseball, follow @Vol_Baseball on Twitter or visit UTSports.com/Baseball. You can also 'Like' the Vols at Facebook at www.facebook.com/volbaseball.