By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The offense couldn't quite get started for the Tennessee Tech baseball team, as the No. 5-nationally ranked Tennessee Volunteers topped the Golden Eagles in midweek action at Lindsey Nelson Stadium Tuesday evening, 11-1 in a seven-inning, run-rule decision.
Tennessee (22-4) avenged its losses to the purple and gold in the previous two meetings in 2022 and 2023, kicking off the scoring in the first as the Golden Eagles (13-12) traded a double play for a run. Other than the initial run, it was a pitcher's dual over the opening three frames.
Tech's Matt Gelorme covered each of the first three innings, scattering four hits and a pair of walks while allowing just the one run. Following his exit from the contest, the Vols turned the offensive pressure up and never looked back.
UT reentered the scoring column in the fourth with a couple of runs, but it was the fifth that provided the big blow. Behind an RBI double and a pair of home runs, the Vols dented the dish six times in the frame, taking a 9-0 lead.
The Golden Eagles plated their lone run of the contest in the top of the sixth, thanks in large part to a double to right-center field off the bat of right fielder Theo Bryant IV. He would later come around to score on a muffed throw at first base.
Bryant accounted for two of Tech's three hits in the ball game, with catcher Hayden Gilliland providing the other knock in the seventh. Tennessee scored twice in the seventh to officially walk off the contest, gathering both runs on a ground-rule double. Seven Vol hurlers combined to cover one inning each in the contest.
Tech will now return to Cookeville for its first Ohio Valley Conference series at home this season, opening a three-game set with Western Illinois Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. CT at Quillen Field and Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex. Game two will feature a 6:00 p.m. first pitch on Friday while Saturday's series finale will kick off at 2:00 p.m.
File photo by Ariana Branstiter
