KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- P.J. Polk drove in four runs in the first
three innings as Tennessee took an early lead and held off
Tennessee Tech Tuesday night on the way to a 9-3 non-conference
victory in Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Tennessee (12-13) snapped a three-game losing skid while the
Golden Eagles (11-14) lost their third in a row. Tech heads to
Jacksonville State this weekend looking to turn the tide with a
three-game Ohio Valley Conference series against the Gamecocks.
Polk had an RBI single in the second inning then delivered a
three-run home run in the third as Tennessee raced out to a 9-1
lead. Four Tech pitchers combined to hold the Vols scoreless
through their final five innings at the plate, but the damage had
been done.
Polk started the rally in the first inning with a leadoff
single, but the Golden Eagles nearly escaped the inning without any
damage. After the Vols loaded the bases with nobody out, Tech
turned a double play, including Polk at home plate on the front
end, but Josh Liles spoiled things when he followed with a two-run
single for a 2-0 lead.
Tech got one run back in the second as Seth Edwards singled and
stole second, and eventually scored when Michael Morris ripped a
two-out double.
A walk and a one-out single got UT started in the second on the
way to four runs and a 6-1 lead. Polk delivered an RBI single for
the first run and Zach Osborne stole home for the second run. The
other two runs scored on a ground out and a Tech throwing
error.
Matt Ramsey and Osborne singled to open the third inning and Polk
bashed a three-run home run to left center field, his third of the
season, to make it a 9-1 lead.
The Golden Eagles got a single run in the fifth as Frankie Beech
singled and raced to third on Chad Oberacker’s double. Austin
Wulf’s sacrifice fly to right field scored Beech. A.J.
Kirby-Jones drew his second walk of the night to put a couple of
runners aboard, but UT starter Aaron Tullo got out of the inning
with a groundout.
Edwards led off the Tech sixth with a double to left center, his
second hit of the game, and stole third. From there he scored on an
RBI groundout by Zephen Guyear to finish the scoring.
Tullo (1-0) got the win, his first of the season after working
five innings and allowing two runs on five hits. He walked two and
struck out four.
Oberacker (0-2) was charged with the loss. He pitched 1 2/3
innings and allowed six runs on seven hits while walking two. Ryan
Hopkins worked 1 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on three hits
with two strikeouts.
Nick Price pitched two strong, scoreless innings. The only base
runner reached on an error and he struck out two. Chason
Choate worked the sixth inning and faced a dilemna after a pair of
one-out singles and an error loaded the bases, but he coaxed a
double-play grounder to snuff the threat.
Wade Bilbrey got the call to the hill in the seventh and mowed the
Vols down in order. Kirby-Jones sailed through the eighth inning
unscathed, with one base runner who reached on an error. He
struck out two.
