University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
Vanderbilt
Vols Drop 7-5 Decision to Vanderbilt
May 18, 2002 | Baseball
May 18, 2002
Knoxville, Tenn. -- Walter Sevilla went 3-for-3 with two RBI, including the game-winner in the 12th inning, as Tennessee rallied to defeat Vanderbilt, 5-4, in the completion of Friday's halted game. In the second game of the day, John Prothro and Cesar Nicolas combined to drive in all seven runs as the Commodores powered their way past the Volunteers, 7-5.
After Tennessee took a quick 1-0 lead in the first on Sevilla's triple that plated Nick Crowe in the second game, Prothro's grand slam capped a five-run sixth for the Commodores who rapped out five consecutive two-out hits. Nicolas added an earlier RBI single that tied the game 1-1.
A two-run double by Jordan Czarniecki pulled the Vols to within 5-3 in the seventh, but Nicolas slugged a two-run home run to put the margin back to four at 7-3 in the eighth.
Matt Sternberg then hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth that extended his hitting streak to 17 games as Tennessee once again pulled within two at 7-5. But that would be as close as Tennessee would get as the Vols left the tying run on base in the ninth.
Jeremy Sowers (6-5) picked up the win for Vanderbilt (24-26, 7-20 SEC) as he gave up five runs on 11 hits in eight innings of work. Chris Maultsby worked the ninth for his second save.
Jeffery Terrell (5-8) pitched his second straight complete game in taking the loss for Tennessee (26-28, 11-18 SEC). He was tagged for seven runs on 11 hits with eight strikeouts and one walk.
In the completion of the halted game, Tennessee plated three runs in the ninth to rally from a 4-1 deficit to send the game into extra innings. Then in the 12th, the Vols pieced together two singles while advancing on a wild pitch to set the table for Sevilla's game-winning hit with two out.
The rally was keyed by Sternberg's two-run single, coupled with a Commodore error with two out that sent the game into extra innings. Karl Nonemaker, who collected a team-high three-hits, singled home Scott Vanderhoff in top of the frame to give Vanderbilt a three-run cushion.
The frame started with a walk and a one-out double by Brandon Hopkins that set the table for Sternberg's salvo. After a strikeout, Hal Bibee Jr. hit a shallow fly ball to center that saw Nonemaker drop the ball while trying to make a sliding catch. That allowed pinch runner Hunter Rigsby to race around from first and plate the tying run.
The game was then halted by rain with one out in the top of the 10th. Both starting pitchers, Jeff Little of Vanderbilt and Tennessee's Ben Riley, each went the distance before the rain came. Little allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits in nine innings with seven strikeouts and three walks. Riley worked 9 1/3, allowing four runs on 10 hits with 10 strikeouts against three walks.
Beau Massey (1-1) picked up the win in relief of Riley, striking out four over 2 2/3 no-hit innings as the Vols struckout a season-high 14 batters.
Dean Bennett (2-3) took the loss in relief of Little, allowing one run on three hits.
After Tennessee got on the board in the third when Sevilla singled home Jordan Czarniecki, who went 3-for-5, Vanderbilt took a 3-1 lead on six hits in the fourth.
