University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
ETSU
Vol Baseball Downs ETSU in Home Finale, 11-2
May 17, 2016 | Baseball
Box Score |
Photo Gallery 
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- In their finale of regular-season play at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, Tennessee Baseball gained a quick lead over neighboring ETSU and used a six-run, sixth inning to secure an 11-2 victory over the Buccaneers on Tuesday night.
With the win, Tennessee moves to 27-26 on the season and is 7-20 in conference play, while ETSU is now 23-28 (10-11 SoCon) on the year.
The Volunteers conclude their 2016 home schedule with a 16-13 record over 29 total games on Rocky Top.
The Vols' combined for 14 hits during the game, led by Brodie Leftridge (3-for-5, RBI), Chris Hall (3-for-3, RBI) and Derek Lance (3-for-5, RBI). Seniors Vincent Jackson (1-for-4) and Tyler Schultz (2-for-4, RBI) and third basemanNick Senzel (2-for-3, RBI) each contributed multiple hits as part of the win.
The Vols kick-started in the bottom of the third as Jackson reached first on a hit through the left side, allowing Hall to score the first run of the night.
Returning in the fourth with Lance and Schultz in scoring position, Max Bartlett executed a squeeze bunt and opened the path for Lance to touch home. Hall later hit a quick single toward second base, beating out the throw and scoring Schultz to increase UT's lead to 3-0.
Continuing the offensive strike, Senzel hit a double into right field, sending Hall and Leftridge home to make it a 5-0 lead over ETSU.
The Buccaneers joined the fight in the top of the fifth with Christian Bailey reaching first via hit-by-pitch and coming around to score on a wild pitch.
Leftridge entered the sixth frame and hit an RBI-triple into right field. Tennessee's lineup went on to plate six runs on five hits in the inning to move to an 11-1 advantage over the Buccaneers.
In the eighth frame, ETSU's Danny Carrier singled up the middle, sending pinch-hitter Seth Cunningham home for one run but the late rally fell short as UT secured the 11-2 win.
Senior Steven Kane started on the mound for Tennessee, pitching 2.0 innings while allowing just two hits before lefty Alex Harper-Cook (2-1) stepped in for relief. Harper-Cook tossed an additional 2.0 scoreless innings for the Vols' and was credited with the second win of his freshman campaign.
Eric Freeman then threw for 1.0 inning, allowing one run on one hit before handing the ball over to senior Andy Cox. Cox combined with righthanders Daniel Vasquez, Jon Lipinski and Quint Robinson to throw 4.0 innings of one-run relief against the Bucs.
Vol Baseball Quick Hits
- Tennessee's win over ETSU now gives the team a 62-16 all-time advantage over the Bucs, including a 35-7 mark in games played in Knoxville.
- Junior Nick Senzel recorded his 19th multi-RBI game with a 2-for-3 effort.
- Centerfielder Brodie Leftridge extended his season-long hit streak to seven games on Tuesday night vs. ETSU.
- Senior Vincent Jackson has now reached base safely in 18 straight games after going 1-for-4 vs. ETSU.
- Tuesday's attendance at Lindsey Nelson Stadium: 1,548
- On Deck for the Vols: The final weekend series of SEC play between Tennessee and the Georgia Bulldogs begins on Thursday, May 19 at 7 p.m. ET, with live game action available for viewing via SEC Network+ broadcast stream.
For the most up-to-date information on Tennessee baseball, visit UTSports.com/Baseball and follow @Vol_Baseball on Twitter.
