Tennessee baseball completed the weekend sweep of Bowling Green on Sunday afternoon by run-ruling the Falcons 16-6 at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
The Vols’ offense got things started early and Tennessee used a number of arms in its pitching staff as they extended their winning streak to 10 games.
Here’s everything to know about the matchup.
More From RTI: Play-By-Play Of Tennessee Baseball’s Win Over Bowling Green
Tennessee’s Offense Leaves No Doubt
Tennessee’s offense wasted no time in Sunday afternoon’s series finale against Bowling Green as they quickly put away any thoughts of an upset.
The Vols’ offense got off to a quiet start with Bowling Green starter Calvin Mitchell retired the first two batters of the first inning. But then Tennessee’s bats came alive with two-outs. Billy Amick and Kavares Tears each singled before Cannon Peebles, Dalton Bargo and Dylan Dreiling all drove in runs with base hits.
Tennessee scored four runs on five hits in the first inning with all the damage coming with two outs.
After Bowling Green cut its lead in half in the top half of the second inning, the Vols’ offense went back to work. Tennessee exploded for five second inning runs thanks to a Blake Burke double, a Peebles single and a three-run Dylan Dreiling home run off the top of the video board.
The big first and second innings gave Tennessee plenty of comfort in a game they’d use plenty of pitchers and made the only question whether or not they’d earn a run-rule victory.
Some Notes On How Tennessee Handled Its Pitching Staff
There were plenty of interesting notes about Tennessee’s pitching plans and performances in the series finale. For the first Sunday this season, Tony Vitello and Frank Anderson turned to freshman RHP Derek Schaefer instead of LHP Zander Sechrist in the starting role.
Schaefer had started a midweek game earlier in the season but this was his first weekend start. After a strong first inning where he retired the side in order, Schaefer ran into trouble in the second inning, allowing a walk and a double before getting a sac fly and walking another batter. Vitello went to the bullpen with after that as Schaefer ended his day allowing two earned runs in 1.1 innings pitched.
Sechrist pitched against three batters in the seventh inning but star reliever Nate Snead, who has been the first out of the bullpen on Sunday, didn’t pitch in the series finale. With a tough midweek matchup against Kansas State on Tuesday, Tennessee is likely saving Snead for that matchup.
Fellow talented freshman Matthew Dallas also had a rough inning in relief. He came in to pitch the third inning but faced just two batters while surrendering two walks on just 10 pitches.
LHP Kirby Connell is one of a handful of relievers who had strong outings. The super senior entered for Dallas and got out of the jam by inducing a ground ball and striking out a pair of batters.
Flame thrower Marcus Phillips also had a dominant outing, allowing just one baserunner in two innings pitched while striking out three batters.
Cannon Peebles Stays Hot
Tennessee catcher Cannon Peebles got off to a slow start to the season at the plate but has started to turn the corner in recent games.
The highly touted North Carolina State transfer went three-of-three at the plate with a walk, a double and two different RBI hits.
The Vols’ catcher didn’t start in the Friday night series opener but now has three straight games, dating back to the midweek win over High Point, with multiple base hits. In those three games, Peebles his hitting seven-of-10 with three doubles and five RBIs..
It’s a good, albeit unsurprising, sign to see the talented sophomore get back on track. His ability to hit from either side of the plate is one of the most encouraging parts of Tennessee’s offense.
Final Stats
Up Next
Tennessee baseball continues its home stand on Tuesday afternoon where they’ll host a good Kansas State at Lindsey Nelson Stadium in the first of two midweek games this week.
