Vols, Senzel Power Past Blue Raiders, 9-2

Tuesday, March 29

Knoxville

6:00 PM

University of Tennessee

15-9

MTSU

12-13

Middle Tennessee

Tennessee

March 29, 2016 | Baseball

Box Score

March 29, 2016

Box Score |  Photo Gallery 

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Backed by a two home run, six RBI effort from junior Nick Senzel, the Volunteers powered past the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, 9-2, in their Tuesday night contest at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

With the win, Tennessee (15-9, 2-4 SEC) moves to 34-23 in the all-time series vs. Middle Tennessee (12-13, 1-5 C-USA) and is now 15-11 in games played in Knoxville.

Senzel (2-for-2, 2 HR, 6 RBI) provided Tennessee's early, four-run advantage against Middle Tennessee by knocking two home runs in his first two at-bats, including a three-run shot to opposite field in the third inning. With his two homers, Senzel became the first Vol to hit multiple home runs in a single game since Christin Stewart did so against Mississippi State on May 16, 2015.

The Vols put up another crooked number in the fifth, as Derek Lance (2-for-4) Benito Santiago (1-for-3) and Chris Hall (2-for-3) loaded the bases with no outs to begin the frame. A walk by Senzel and a two-run single through the left side by Jordan Rodgers (2-for-4, 2 RBI) furthered the Volunteers' lead to 8-0.

Tennessee went on to load the bases again in the sixth before a sac fly to left field by Senzel added to UT's 9-1 lead. Over the next three innings, the Vols would hold the Blue Raiders to one run on three hits to secure the 9-2 final.

Knoxville native Eric Freeman (2-1) worked a strong 5.0 scoreless innings in what was his longest-career start for UT. He allowed just five hits while striking out two of his 19 batters faced to earn the win.

Senior Steven Kane entered the game in the sixth for Freeman and threw 3.0 innings in relief before sophomore lefty Zach Reid closed out the ninth, allowing one run and fanning one batter.

Vol Baseball Quick Hits

Tennessee's 9-2 win over the Blue Raiders at Lindsey Nelson Stadium marked the first home win for the Vols vs. MTSU since May 10, 2011 and the program's first win vs. MTSU since March 11, 2014.
Entering Tuesday's game, Jordan Rodgers led the Southeastern Conference with 37 RBI on the year. The junior now owns 39 RBI over 24 games for UT.
With two home runs in Tuesday's contest, Nick Senzel established a new career high for home runs in a single game. The homers bring his season total to four and his career total to nine with the Big Orange.
Senzel's six RBI vs. MTSU also tied a single-game career high.
Tuesday's attendance at Lindsey Nelson Stadium: 1,625
On Deck for the Vols: Tennessee continues its midweek action on Wednesday, March 30 at 6 p.m. ET, hosting the UNC Asheville Bulldogs for the second matchup between the schools this season. Freshman Alex Harper-Cook (0-0, 0.00) gets the starting nod against Asheville righty Danny Wilson (0-0, 27.00).

For the most up-to-date information on Tennessee Baseball, visit UTSports.com/Baseball and follow @Vol_Baseball on Twitter.