University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
3-2
Alabama A&M
3-2
Taylor’s Career Day Powers #3 Vols to 23-1 Run-Rule Win
February 22, 2023 | Baseball
Already leading 6-1 entering the home half of the fifth, Tennessee (3-2) hung 15 runs on the board to take a 21-1 lead. It was the most runs scored in a single inning by the Vols in program history – topping the 14 runs UT put up on NC State and Chattanooga in 1998 and 1977, respectively. That total came thanks to eight hits, four of the extra-base variety, and three Alabama A&M (3-2) errors. Taylor accounted for two of his hits in that inning alone, blasting a three-run shot in his first at-bat before shooting an RBI single through the right side in his second trip to the plate.
He wasn't done just yet though as the Dunwoody, Georgia, led off the sixth inning with a blast to the newly-installed third deck in left field. In total, Taylor finished the afternoon just a double away from the cycle after belting a triple off the wall in the third inning. He set career-bests in runs scored (3), hits (4), triples (1), total bases (12), and RBIs (5).
In all, 12 Vols collected a hit on the night as UT ended with 17 hits as a team and 17 combined RBIs.
Logan Chambers was 2-for-3 at the plate with a pair of RBIs and two runs scored, while Griffin Merritt also went 2-for-3 with two runs.
Tennessee's pitching staff continued to impress, running its consecutive scoreless innings streak to 22 before the Bulldogs pushed across a run in the fifth. AAMU could only get three runners on base as Aaron Combs, Bryce Jenkins and Zach Joyce each retired all three batters they faced. Joyce was especially impressive, coming out of the bullpen in the seventh inning, striking out all three batters he faced. In his young career at Tennessee, the right-hander has punched out all five individuals to step in the box against him.
Combs earned the victory in relief, replacing Zander Sechrist who fired two strong innings in his first start of the season. The JUCO transfer picked up his first Division I win. Tennessee's pitchers combined for 10 strikeouts on the night, marking the third-consecutive game with double-digit punchouts by the Big Orange.
The Bulldogs run in the top half of the fifth came after Miles Jackson tripled to center and scored on a bunt single by Jalen Ford.
UP NEXT: Tennessee is back home on Friday as it opens a three-game set against Dayton. First pitch on Friday against the Flyers is slated for 4:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network+.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Combs, Aaron (1-0)
L: Anthony Mateo (0-1)
Batting:
3B: Miles Jackson 1
RBI: Jalen Ford 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Miles Jackson 1
CS: Jalen Parker 1
Batting:
2B: Miller, Ryan 1 ; Merritt, Griffin 1 ; Payne, Ethan 1 ; Kendro, Jake 1
3B: Chambers, Logan 1 ; Taylor, Charlie 1
HR: Taylor, Charlie 2
RBI: Dreiling, Dylan 1 ; Tears, Kavares 2 ; Ensley, Hunter 1 ; Denton, Zane 1 ; Chambers, Logan 2 ; Chapman, Reese 1 ; Payne, Ethan 2 ; Jaslove, Austen 1 ; Kendro, Jake 1 ; Taylor, Charlie 5
SH: Jaslove, Austen 1
SF: Tears, Kavares 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Miller, Ryan 3 ; Moore, Christian 1 ; Tears, Kavares 2 ; Ensley, Hunter 1 ; Denton, Zane 1 ; Chambers, Logan 2 ; Chapman, Reese 1 ; Merritt, Griffin 2 ; Scott, Christian 1 ; Booker, Kyle 3 ; Payne, Ethan 1 ; Jaslove, Austen 1 ; Kendro, Jake 1 ; Taylor, Charlie 3
SB: Moore, Christian 1 ; Denton, Zane 1 ; Merritt, Griffin 1 ; Scott, Christian 1 ; Booker, Kyle 1
HBP: Ensley, Hunter 1
