Vols Come Out Swinging, Take 12-1 Win Over UCI

Friday, March 11

Knoxville

5:00 PM

University of Tennessee

9-4

UC Irvine

9-5

UC Irvine

Tennessee

March 11, 2016 | Baseball

Box Score

March 11, 2016

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The Diamond Vols struck first against the Anteaters in Game One of the three game series at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, plating five runs in the third and continuing their offensive onslaught to secure a 12-1 win over UC Irvine on Friday night.

Jeff Moberg (3-for-4) got the bats going for Tennessee in the first with a lead-off double to deep center field. Moberg advanced to third on a wild pitch by UC Irvine's Elliot Surrey and scored on a sacrifice fly by Nick Senzel (1-for-2, 4 RBI).

UC Irvine threatened in the top of the third, putting two batters on base via hits to the left side. A flyout to center, 6-4 fielder's choice and a strikeout by UT lefty Zach Warren (6.0 IP) ended the inning for the Anteaters.

In response, the Volunteers came out swinging in the bottom of the third, sending nine batters to the plate. Derek Lance (3-for-3) started the inning off with a single up the middle, advancing to second on a left field single by Chris Hall (2-for-3). A two-run double off the wall by Senzel sent Lance and Hall home. Senzel proceeded to steal third on ball four of Vincent Jackson's at bat.

Up next, Jordan Rodgers knocked an RBI-single to center to score Senzel and advance Jackson. Consecutive stolen bases by Jackson and Rodgers were followed up by a sacrifice fly by Tyler Schultz (1-for-3), scoring Jackson. Rodgers scored the final run of the third, becoming the first Volunteer to steal home this season.

The Vols furthered their lead in the fourth with a lead-off single by Derek Lance (3-for-3) who advanced to score on Senzel's second sacrifice fly of the night. A two-run triple by Jordan Rodgers marked the 10th hit of the game for the Vols.

Tennessee went on to plate three more runs in the sixth, after lefty Zach Warren finished his start retiring five batters in his 6.0 innings of work and moved to 4-0 on the season with the win.

Sophomore Eric Freeman entered the game in the seventh to toss a scoreless inning before lefthander Zach Reid took the mound in the eighth. Reid struck out five batters over his 2.0 innings of relief.

"Tomorrow is going to be a huge challenge," Head Coach Dave Serrano said. "We have a doubleheader and usually when you have your way with a good baseball team like we did tonight, it makes tomorrow even a bigger challenge to come out and repeat what we did. We'll have a short night and be back on the field early tomorrow. Our guys need to be focused so they can come out and play good baseball tomorrow."

Series Game Time Changes

A forecast of expected rain has prompted a schedule change for the Tennessee vs. UC Irvine series at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

The two teams will now play a doubleheader on Saturday, March 12, with the first game scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. The second game will begin approximately 45 minutes following the conclusion of Game One.

Vol Baseball Quick Hits

With the win, Tennessee now moves to 2-2 in the all-time series vs. UC Irvine and a 9-4 record in 2016.
Chris Hall (2-for-3) extended his hit streak to 13 games with a single to left field in the third inning.
Derek Lance (3-for-3) matched his single-game career high hits with three vs. the Anteaters (last achieved vs. Missouri on April 10, 2015).
Friday's attendance at Lindsey Nelson Stadium: 1,381
Up Next for the Vols: Tennessee and UC Irvine will play a doubleheader on Saturday, March 12, with the first game scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. The second game will begin approximately 45 minutes following the conclusion of Game One.

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