Sloppy Play Dooms Tennessee as Vols Drop Series to Kent State

No. 13 Tennessee baseball (5-2) dropped Sunday’s series rubber match to Kent State (5-2) in Knoxville, 9-5.

The Vols’ offense was lackluster yet again while the pitching staff struggled greatly with command.

Tennessee’s six arms issued seven walks and hit four batters, while the offense went 7-31 at the plate. Kent State tallied five combined runs in the fourth and fifth innings and three in the eighth that proved to be the death knell.

The series loss marks Tennessee’s first against a non-P4 opponent since 2020 against Wright State.

Here’s how it happened.

Small Ball, Missed Opportunities and Mistakes

Kent State jumped out to an early lead in the opening frame thanks to some small ball and taking advantage of Tennessee mistakes. Leadoff hitter Grady Mee walked on four pitches before stealing second and advancing to third on a passed ball.

With one out, Manny Marin booted a grounder allowing Mee to score.

Tennessee tied the game in the second inning but should’ve got more. Kent State starter Ben Rabatin lost complete control in the frame, allowing Tennessee to load the bases with a hit-by-pitch and two walks.

However, Stone Lawless grounded into a double play and Marin grounded out, as Tennessee got just one run in a bases-loaded, no-outs situation.

Well-executed small ball allowed Tennessee to take the lead in the third. Jay Abernathy legged out a leadoff bunt single before Ford brought him home with his second of three hits on the day. 

But Tennessee’s lead was brief.

Things Unravel in the Middle Innings

Things unraveled for Tennessee in the middle innings as UT’s arms lost command, defense continued to struggle and the offense was unable to find rhythm at the plate. The story of the afternoon.

A one-out double, four-pitch walk and sac bunt put runners on second and third with two outs for Kent State in the fourth. Desperately needing to get out of the inning, Tennessee starter Blanco gave up a two-run double as the Golden Flashes regained the lead.

After going down in order offensively in the bottom of the fourth, Tennessee’s deficit increased in the fifth.

The Vols turned to freshman righty Ethan Baiotto to begin the frame, who immediately hit a batter and walked two more to load the bases. Sophomore right-hander Nic Abraham was called upon next, but command issues continued as he plunked Micah Rienstra-Kiracofe to bring home a run.

A two-out fielder’s choice scored another, but Marin and Bates could’ve had more urgency to try and turn an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play.

Kent State’s third and final run of the inning came thanks to a Stone Lawless throwing error, as the sophomore catcher sailed a throw well over Bates’ head trying to catch a runner stealing, putting the Vols in a four-run hole.

Lack of command was the story for Tennessee’s pitchers in two of three games this series. Blanco finished his four-inning start throwing just 45 strikes on 79 pitches. He walked four and struck out eight while allowing three runs (two earned). 

On the weekend, Tennessee hit 10 batters, with all coming Friday and Sunday. Vols pitchers walked 13 batters on the series.

More From RTI: LIVE Updates, Score, Updates: No. 13 Tennessee Baseball vs. Kent State Game Three

Vols Catch a Break

Tennessee got a much-needed break in the bottom of the fifth as Kent State took its turn playing sloppy baseball.

A trio of one-out singles, including Ford’s third hit of the day, loaded the bases for Blaine Brown, who sent a sac fly to center. All runners tagged up, and Golden Flashes shortstop Luke Matthews tried to get Ford out at second. 

But the throw was wildly offline and went to the right-field wall. As a result, two more runs scored and Tennessee cut Kent State’s lead to one run.

Offense Can’t Do Enough, Eighth-Inning Pitching Falls Apart

Tennessee turned to junior right-hander Brady Frederick to open the sixth inning, and the ETSU transfer settled the game.

The submarine pitcher worked around singles in the sixth and seventh to keep Kent State scoreless. But after allowing a pair of two-out baserunners in the eighth, sophomore right-hander Brayden Krenzel relieved Frederick in a big spot.

Kent State proceeded to put the nail in the coffin with Krenzel in the game.

Krenzel’s first pitch hit a batter to load the bases. Then he slung a wild pitch behind Ripken Reese allowing a run to score. After walking Reese on four pitches, Rienstra-Kiracofe smacked a two-run single to right field to put the Golden Flashes up four runs.

Junior right-hander Bo Rhudy relieved Krenzel after the disastrous play to get the final out of the eighth but not before Kent State tallied a detrimental three runs with two outs.

Tennessee had no baserunners in the eighth and ninth innings as it went out with a whimper. It was easy to pin Saturday’s loss on the offense, but Tennessee struggled in all areas Sunday, leaving a litany of questions about the team moving forward.

Up Next

Tennessee hosts Bellarmine Tuesday in its second midweek contest of the season. First pitch is at 4 p.m. ET on SEC Network +.