Tennessee baseball’s offense exploded in the final three innings of its 12-3 series opening win at Georgia Friday night.
RHP Camden Sewell entered the game in a massive moment. With Tennessee leading 2-1 in the fifth inning, Sewell inherited a pair of runners with one-out and the heart of Georgia’s lineup up. Sewell got out of the jam on his way to a 2.2 inning outing where he allowed three hits, one earned run and a walk.
Center fielder Hunter Ensley went one-of-two at the plate and was hit by three pitches. The redshirt sophomore also made a handful of spectacular defensive plays in the win.
Here’s everything each said after the Vols’ second road win of the season.
Camden Sewell
On coming in during the fifth inning with one out
“That was a really good hitter [Charlie Condon] and everyone knows it. In that specific instance, you’ve got to execute pitches and fortunately I was able to do that. I got a swing and a miss in a big situation. That’s basically all that happened.”
On improving entering with runners on base
“I think the biggest thing is to try and throw it over the plate. If you try not to make them swing and miss, they swing and miss more often than not. If you throw it over the plate and try to make them hit it, they will swing and miss. That’s kind of my approach and fortunately that happened tonight.”
On getting back to himself on the mound, separating himself from injury
“It’s just been good going back out there and getting back into a rhythm and a flow. Getting back to feeling more like myself. I think that’s the biggest thing – just getting out there. I think every pitcher would agree. The more you are out there, the more comfortable you will be. That’s been the biggest thing for me.”
On Christian Moore’s power surge
“I don’t even know how many he has hit over the last week. I know at one point it was like three in 24 hours or something. Obviously, that’s huge for the team. He’s a good kid and plays the game hard. We love him. We will try to continue this journey we are on right now.”
On Hunter Ensley and Christian Scott’s play
“Those two guys specifically have been huge turning points for us, honestly. They kind of take control out there and lock everything down – and [Jared] Dickey also. Their performance on the offensive side has been tremendous and we are very excited to keep it rolling.”
On getting run support
“It obviously helps, but at the end of the day – they try to put up runs and we try to put up zeros. As many runs as they can put up and as many zeros as we can put up – we will be in a good spot. It’s finally everyone playing together, and I still think that’s the biggest thing.”
On Andrew Lindsey
“He competed. It wasn’t his best stuff, but the dude competes and he’s a winner. That’s all you can ask. Go out there and put everything on the line. If it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out. But at the end of the day, you don’t want to look back and say you wish you could have made more effort. That’s the bottom line and he does that every time he’s out here and all we can say is thank you. We will continue rooting for him and playing for each other.”
More From RTI: Everything Tony Vitello Said After Tennessee Took Game One At Georgia
Hunter Ensley
On which diving catch was his favorite
“Probably the second one. I was kind of shifted over to right center, because that kid, his spray chart is more right center, and it was just a longer way to run and the slide was cooler, I think.”
On if he’s ever been hit three times in one game
“Yeah, but I think probably when I was 10 years old when people couldn’t throw strikes. But no, not since I’ve been over 10.”
On which HBP will bruise the worst
“I would say the last one would be the biggest bruiser. It was the only one that really squared me up.”
On what position he played in high school
“I played shortstop in high school, for my high school baseball team. But in summer ball, when we played travel ball, competitive travel ball, I would move to the outfield. Center and left field.”
On how much more comfortable he’s gotten in center field
“I think it goes back to the summer a little bit. I played quite a bit of center field and left field this summer. Got comfortable out there, and he gave me the confidence. He said, ‘Go out there and play center field and play hard,’ and then I mean, the more reps you get, the easier it is, and the better reads you get.”
On if this win sets the tone for what’s to come this weekend
“A Friday night win on the road is huge no matter where you go. Obviously, it gives us confidence. We haven’t been in a 1-0 Friday night win position [on the road] yet this year, so it gives us confidence going into tomorrow.”
On what Christian Moore’s success does for the offense
“CMo (Christian Moore) always has that power. He’s just putting great swings on the ball, hunting pitches and getting them. But I mean, it puts runs up on the board. He probably had what, 4 or 5 RBIs tonight? It was huge for the offense.”
On what was different for the offense in the last couple innings compared to first six
“I wouldn’t say much different. Had great at-bats all night, I would say, even the first four or five innings. But, kind of started timing them up a little bit and stuff was starting to fall. Drawing walks, getting hit by pitch…”
On how it’s been these past six weeks being a consistent contributor
“It’s awesome. This is a team that I grew up watching and wanted to play for. So, I put this jersey on, and I go out in center, I play as hard as I can for these guys around me. Really, I just want to win. So whatever it takes for me.”
On how fun it is to see Kirby come in followed by Camden
“For both of them, it’s perfect for what we’re trying to do in that situation. Kirby [Connell] comes in and faces a lefty, and he doesn’t get the bunt down. I think he foul bunts out, so that was awesome. And then Cam [Sewell] came in and did what he’s great at. Working around guys, getting guys to swing and miss and getting big outs.”
On how important Christian Scott is to bottom of the order
“For him, it’s confidence. He’s going to show up to the field, and he knows he’s in there. Just building off his confidence. You keep stacking at-bats and stacking hits, and a three-hit night? That’s huge for your confidence, and that’s what it’s all about.”
On if Blake Burke could hit that house up on the hill
“Yeah, probably. I would say he could.”
On if he (Ensley) could hit it opposite way that far
“Probably, if there’s enough velo behind it, maybe if it’s like 100 away, I could probably get it up there.”
