University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
10-4
UC Irvine
9-6
Vols Use Big Innings to Down Anteaters, 14-4
March 12, 2016 | Baseball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee used a seven run third inning and a six run eighth inning to push past UC Irvine, 14-4, in game two of the three game set on Saturday. The teams will play game three of the series at 5:03 p.m. ET later today at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Seven straight Vols came around to score in the third inning as Derek Lance started the rally with a one out single to center. After a walk and a HBP, Nick Senzel knocked a two run double into right field to even the score at two. After an intentional walk to Vincent Jackson, Jordan Rodgers recorded two RBI with a single into left field. Benito Santiago followed by knocking a single into center to load the bases to bring up Leno Ramirez. Ramirez roped a double into right to clear the bases and put the Vols up 7-2.
Nick Senzel added another run in the fourth as he crushed his first home run of the season to left field with the bases empty.
UC Irvine opened the game scoring a run in the first inning and adding another in the third to take a 2-0 lead, but it could have been much worse as the Anteaters left seven men on base over the first three frames.
After Tennessee's seven run inning, UC Irvine pulled two runs back in the top of the fourth as Keston Hiura hit a home run to left with a man on.
The Vols added six insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth as Rodgers capped the inning with his second home run of the season, a monster three run shot to left field. Rodgers finished the game with 5 RBI which brings his season total to a team-leading 30 in 14 games. Senzel and Ramirez each added three RBI. Senzel also scored three runs as eight different Vols crossed the plate in the victory.
Senior Andy Cox entered the game in the first inning with the bases loaded and two outs, but was able to induce a weak grounder. Cox (2-1) struck out six over 6.2 after relieving Hunter Martin. Steven Kane pitched 1.2 hitless innings to finish the game.
Vol Baseball Quick Hits
- With the win, Tennessee moves to 3-2 in the all-time series vs. UC Irvine and a 10-4 record in 2016.
- Head Coach Dave Serrano recorded his 400th career win.
- Senior Andy Cox pitched 6.2 innings out of the bullpen, tying his career high for the longest relief outing of his career. He previosuly went 6.2 innings against Quinnipiac on March 1, 2014.
- Up Next for the Vols: The Vols travel to UNC Asheville for a Tuesday contest that begins at 6 p.m. ET
For more information on Tennessee Baseball, follow @Vol_Baseball on Twitter or visit UTSports.com/Baseball. You can also 'Like' the Vols at Facebook at www.facebook.com/volbaseball.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Cox, Andy (2-1)
L: Vetrovec (2-2)
Batting:
2B: Brontsema 2
HR: Hiura 1
RBI: Hiura 2 ; Palmer 1
SH: Cassolato 1 ; Munoz 1
SF: Palmer 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Brontsema 1 ; Cassolato 1 ; Hiura 1 ; Kreuter 1
HBP: Hiura 1 ; Holland 1
Batting:
2B: Senzel, Nick 1 ; Ramirez, Leno 1 ; Lance, Derek 1
HR: Senzel, Nick 1 ; Rodgers, Jordan 1
RBI: Senzel, Nick 3 ; Rodgers, Jordan 5 ; Ramirez, Leno 3 ; Lance, Derek 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Moberg, Jeff 1 ; Hall, Chris 2 ; Senzel, Nick 3 ; Jackson, Vincent 2 ; Rodgers, Jordan 2 ; Santiago, Benito 1 ; Leftridge, Brodie 1 ; Lance, Derek 2
SB: Hall, Chris 1 ; Leftridge, Brodie 1
CS: Moberg, Jeff 1
HBP: Hall, Chris 2
