University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
Missouri
Vols Take 5-4 Loss in Series Opener vs. Tigers
April 29, 2016 | Baseball
COLUMBIA, Mo. -- In a hard-fought series opener between the programs, the Tennessee Volunteers came up short after a late Tigers rally secured a 5-4 Missouri win at Taylor Stadium.
With the loss, Tennessee is now 24-19 on the year and 6-13 in conference play, while Missouri (22--21) moves to 5-14 in SEC competition.
Pacing the Vols' offense, Nick Senzel (2-for-5), Vincent Jackson (2-for-4) and Brodie Leftridge (3-for-4) each recorded multiple hits against the Tigers and accounted for seven of UT's eight hits.
The teams held each other scoreless until the third inning, when Mizzou struck first and plated one run on back-to-back hits. Tennessee answered in their next at-bat, as Senzel scored from third on a perfectly executed bunt by catcher Tyler Schultz (0-for-4, RBI), beating the toss home from Mizzou starter Reggie McClain.
In the third, Mizzou scratched two runs across on three hits to move ahead, 3-1.
For the second time, the Volunteers immediately responded in their next turn at the plate. Back-to-back singles by Jackson and Jordan Rodgers (1-for-4) put runners on the corners with no outs. A fielding error by MU's second baseman Connor Brumfield then allowed two runs to score, again tying the game at 3-3.
Senior Chris Hall (0-for-5, RBI) gave UT the go-ahead run in the seventh, bringing Brodie Leftridge home from third to go up, 4-3, with two outs.
Three consecutive base hits by the Tigers brought two runs across in the bottom of the eighth, giving Mizzou a one-run advantage entering the ninth frame and their ultimate lead to secure the 5-4 win.
Sophomore Aaron Soto worked 6.0 innings in his sixth start of the year, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out three and walking none in the no-decision.
Senior Andy Cox (2-4) entered the game in the seventh for UT and worked a quick 1-2-3 inning. Cox finished the game for the Vols and took the loss, giving up two runs on three hits in the final 2.0 innings of the contest.
Vol Baseball Quick Hits
- Tennessee's Friday loss gives UT a 5-5 all-time record against Missouri since 2013.
- With a two-out double in the top of the first inning, Nick Senzel knocked double No. 17 of the year, tying for the league lead alongside Tigers first baseman Zach Lavy.
- Vincent Jackson has now reached base safely in eight straight games following a 2-for-4 effort on Friday. He also recorded his 19th multi-hit game of the season, tops on the Vols' squad.
- Friday's attendance at Taylor Stadium: 615
- On Deck for the Vols: Tennessee's Saturday contest against Missouri begins at 4 p.m. ET, with sophomore lefty Zach Warren (5-4, 2.88 ERA) facing off against fellow 2016 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team member Tanner Houck (4-4, 3.20 ERA).
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