#12 Vols Early Inning Struggles Lead to 7-2 Loss at #5 Arkansas

Sunday, April 16

Fayetteville, Ark.

3 PM

University of Tennessee

23-13, 5-10

Arkansas

29-7, 11-4

Tennessee

Arkansas

#12 Vols Early Inning Struggles Lead to 7-2 Loss at #5 Arkansas

April 16, 2023 | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Series Stats at Arkansas (PDF)VIDEO: Vitello Postgame

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – No. 12/16 Tennessee fell behind early and struggled once again at the plate in a 7-2 loss to No. 5/5 Arkansas in Sunday's series finale at Baum-Walker Stadium.

The Vols dug themselves into an early hole as the Razorbacks struck for three runs in the first and second innings to build a quick 6-0 lead.

UT starter Drew Beam lasted just 1.2 innings and was tagged for six runs on four hits and four walks before handing the ball over to fellow sophomore Chase Burns.

Burns looked more like himself with 5.1 solid innings of relief, a promising sign for the talented right hander. The Gallatin, Tennessee, native allowed just one run on three hits and struck out five in the outing to keep the Vols in the game.

Tennessee had opportunities to get on the board in the early going but stranded two runners on base in the first and second innings. The Big Orange were finally able to register a hit with runners in scoring position in the top of the fourth when Jared Dickey roped a single into left field with the bases loaded to drive in a pair of runs and cut the deficit to four.

That would be the only runs on the day for the Vols, who had just five hits for the remainder of the contest. Kavares Tears had another productive day at the plate with a double and a single, he and Christian Scott were the only Vols with multiple hits in the game as the senior also notched a single and a double.

Sophomore reliever Dylan Carter earned the win for Arkansas (29-7, 11-4 SEC) after tossing 4.2 scoreless innings out of the pen, scattering six hits while striking out three.

Brady Slavens drove in four of the Hogs' seven runs, including a bases-clearing triple in the second inning, to lead the offense.

UP NEXT: Tennessee (23-13, 5-10 SEC) returns home to begin a nine-game homestand on Tuesday evening against Tennessee Tech. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m. and the game will be streamed on SEC Network+ through the ESPN app.