University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
LSU
Tennessee Falls Short vs. #11 LSU, 2-1
May 13, 2016 | Baseball
Box Score |
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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee lost an early lead and battled to hold off No. 11-ranked LSU in the opener of their weekend series but fell short on Friday night, as the Tigers secured a 2-1 win over the Vols at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
With the loss, Tennessee is now 26-24 on the season and 7-18 in conference play, while LSU moves to 34-16 (15-10 SEC) on the year.
Seniors Chris Hall (1-for-3) and Vincent Jackson (1-for-3) each contributed hits for the Vols' with help from junior Jordan Rodgers (1-for-3) and sophomore Brodie Leftridge (1-for-4, RBI), producing a total of four hits. Leftridge generated the only RBI of the night for Tennessee, keeping the team within one run in the series opener vs. LSU.
A leadoff walk by catcher Tyler Schultz (0-for-2) kickstarted UT's second inning, as Leftridge came to the plate in the next at-bat. Knocking the ball into right-center field, Leftridge doubled and paved the way for Schultz to touch home, giving Tennessee a 1-0 lead.
The Tigers answered in the top of the third frame with second baseman Cole Freeman sending a homer over the left field wall to even the score against the Vols at 1-1.
In the top of the eighth, Freeman was the first up for LSU and reached via hit-by-pitch from reliever Andy Cox. LSU shortstop Kramer Robertson later singled to right field and advanced to second on the throw, while Freeman scored to push the Tigers to a 2-1 lead over the Volunteers.
With runners on second and third in the eighth, the Vols' attempted to match the score against the Tigers but were held off as Derek Lance was retired on a groundout to LSU's third baseman, leaving the Tigers with the 2-1 led.
Starting on the mound for Tennessee, freshman Will Neely pitched a career long 7.0 innings. While striking out two Tigers, Neely allowed just one run on five hits against No. 11-ranked LSU for six scoreless innings.
Senior Andy Cox threw for 1.1 innings in relief of Neely, allowing one run on two hits to receive the loss. Closing out the game for Tennessee, fellow senior Steven Kane pitched 0.2 innings for the Volunteers and held the Tigers to a 2-1 advantage after inducing double-play action to end the top of the ninth.
Vol Baseball Quick Hits
- With his relief appearance on Friday night vs. LSU, senior Andy Cox set a Tennessee Baseball record for most career appearances with 86 (2013-16). He passed VFL Craig Cobb's 85 appearances from 2004-07.
- Junior Max Bartlett made his first start in twelve games on Friday night (since April 19 at MTSU), returning to action vs. LSU after healing a broken hand.
- Chris Hall entered the ballgame ranking third in the SEC for total times hit-by-pitch this year (14), and moved to 15 following an HBP in the first inning.
- Sunday's attendance at Lindsey Nelson Stadium: 2,349
- On Deck for the Vols: Tennessee battles against the #11 LSU Tigers for Game Two of the weekend series on Saturday, May 14, beginning at 1 p.m. ET at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Sophomore lefty Zach Warren (5-4, 3.15) faces off against LSU lefty Jared Poche (5-4, 4.05), live via SEC Network television broadcast.
For the most up-to-date information on Tennessee baseball, visit UTSports.com/Baseball and follow @Vol_Baseball on Twitter.
