On the verge of losing a fifth-straight game on Friday night in Knoxville, the Tennessee Volunteers rallied behind the late-game long ball in order to defeat No. 3 Vanderbilt in Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
A pair of home runs from Tennessee’s Kavares Tears and Dylan Dreiling in the bottom of the ninth inning tied the game at 3-3. Then, in the bottom of the 12th inning, Griffin Merritt launched a solo home run off of the scoreboard in right field to walk it off for the Vols.
Tennessee’s win on Friday night over in-state rival Vanderbilt snaps a critical four-game losing streak after a series sweep by Arkansas last weekend and a midweek loss to Tennessee Tech.
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Here’s a look at some of the quick reactions from social media on Friday night.
A little remix video of the 12th inning walkoff dinger by @G_Merritt10 featuring the voice of Tennessee Baseball, the great @JWilkersonWNML pic.twitter.com/Crg9RrOUi9
— Smittywayne (@Smittywayne) April 22, 2023
Griffin Merritt, who had a terrific defensive play two innings ago, hits a walk-off solo home run to give @Vol_Baseball a 4-3 win over Vanderbilt in 12 innings. Will be interesting to see if that is the spark the #Vols needed.
— Kendall Rogers (@KendallRogers) April 22, 2023
Griffin Merritt WALKS IT OFF with a home run in the 12th.#Vols beat Vanderbilt 4-3 in the series opener. pic.twitter.com/XZQxMD5DgE
— Jack Foster (@jackfostermedia) April 22, 2023
Vanderbilt played well last night and Tennessee still won.
This team has talent just needs to put it all together.
— Landon Raby (@lambo_raby10) April 22, 2023
Chase Burns and Griffin Merritt took over last night. Whew what a performance.
— Diamond Vols (@DiamondVols) April 22, 2023
GRIFFIN MERRITT WALK OFF BOMB TENNESSEE WINS!!!!!!
— Barstool Rocky Top (@BarstoolTenn) April 22, 2023
Griffin Merritt says GOODNIGHT
— College Baseball Central (@CollegeBaseCNT) April 22, 2023
THIS IS TENNESSEE BASEBALL pic.twitter.com/zCm5sJBPGz
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) April 22, 2023
It feels good to use this again pic.twitter.com/QWiobucgx6
— Nathanael Rutherford (@Mr_Rutherford) April 22, 2023
— Sam (@Sam4Vols) April 22, 2023
Three of the most clutch swings you could see.#GBO // #OTH // #BeatVandy pic.twitter.com/a6vZrG7C67
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) April 22, 2023
