University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
Alabama
Tennessee Baseball Falls to Alabama 8-4
April 05, 2009 | Baseball
April 5, 2009
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The league-leading Alabama offense scored multiple runs in three innings behind seven strong innings from starting pitcher Adam Scott to earn an 8-4 victory over Tennessee on Sunday afternoon and three-game sweep of the Southeastern conference series at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.
Tennessee (12-19, 1-11 SEC) shortstop Zach Osborne finished the series 3-for-6 (.500) with three singles and a walk. Osborne leads the team with a .368 average in conference play this season. Kentrail Davis, Josh Liles and Tyler Horne also picked up two hits in the series finale.
The sweep is the first for Alabama (20-10, 6-6 SEC) in a SEC series since they swept Tennessee in Knoxville in 2006.
Volunteer starting pitcher Bryan Morgado (1-1) allowed eight runs (six earned) on eight hits through five innings of work. The sophomore walked four and struck out six.
Scott (1-0) surrendered four runs on eight hits through 7-1/3 innings pitched. The right-hander struck out four and did not issue a walk.
Alabama took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on right fielder Kent Matthes' 17th home run of the season, a two-run shot, over the wall in left-center field. Both runs were unearned due to left fielder Taylor Dugas reaching on an error to lead off the inning.
The Crimson Tide added another run in the third inning to make the score 3-0. First baseman Brandon May's sacrifice fly to right field scored Dugas who doubled to start the inning.
Tennessee scored a run in the top of the fourth to cut Alabama's lead to 3-1. After leading off the inning with a double to right-center field, Davis advanced to third on a fly ball and scored on a wild pitch.
Alabama countered with two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Designated hitter Clay Jones stole home on a double steal followed by an RBI double off the bat of shortstop Josh Rutledge to go ahead 5-1. Three more runs in the fifth put the Crimson Tide in front 8-1.
Liles hit a solo home run to right in the top of the sixth inning to make the score 8-2. The homer was his sixth of the year.
Tennessee scored two runs on three hits in the top of the eighth inning. Davis' two-run doubled scored Liles and Osborne to cut Alabama's lead to 8-4.
Senior Ty'Relle Harris and freshman Matt Ramsey pitched the final three innings out of the bullpen for UT. The duo combined to allow one hit and strike out three.
The Volunteers return to Knoxville for a seven-game home stand that features a matchup with Mississippi State and four non-conference games. The Vols host Appalachian State on Tuesday and Lipscomb on Wednesday. First pitch for both games is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
