Cam Appenzeller bounced off the mound after catching LSU’s Derek Curiel looking to strand a pair in-scoring position and end the fifth inning. An ecstatic up Tegan Kuhns met him halfway back to the dugout in a fiery embrace.
The duo delivered for Tennessee, pitching all nine innings in the Vols’ 4-1 series-evening victory over LSU on Saturday night. Here’s how it happened.
Tennessee Pieced Together Runs Off William Schmidt
William Schmidt has been LSU’s most effective starting pitcher this season, and Tennessee did little to give him series issues. But the Vols took advantage of a defensive miscue and put up a solid four runs on him in 5.2 innings pitched.
LSU gave Tennessee a gift in the first inning. Blake Grimmer looked like he was going to ground into an inning-ending double play, but the ball went through first baseman Zach Yorke’s legs allowing Garrett Wright to score from third and Blaine Brown to score from first.
Grimmer put a great swing on a Schmidt off-speed pitch in the third inning, pummeling it 374 feet to right field for a solo homer.
Another defensive miscue helped Tennessee score its final run off Schmidt. Manny Marin walked to lead off the fourth inning, advanced on a passed ball with two outs and then scored when Jay Abernathy lined a double to right field.
The Vols didn’t do anything special against Schmidt, but made the most of a few opportunities to scratch off some runs.
Tennessee Gave Tegan Kuhns A Quick Hook
Tegan Kuhns started on the mound for Tennessee and he turned in a solid outing, allowing just one run on four hits and two walks in four innings pitched.
It easily could have been worse for Kuhns, who stranded the bases loaded in a turbulent second inning. LSU totaled two bloop singles and then scored a run when a Chris Stanfield line drive hit Kuhns in the shoulder and trickled into centerfield.
Kuhns was almost out of the inning when a borderline 3-2 pitch was called a ball and loaded the bases. But the sophomore got LSU leadoff man Steven Milam to fly out to end the inning.
The right-handed pitcher got through the third and fourth inning unscathed but when he walked LSU nine-hole hitter Cade Arrambide to lead off the fifth inning, Josh Elander turned to top reliever Cam Appenzeller.
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Appezeller Was The Star Of The Night
Appenzeller had been Tennessee’s best pitcher in SEC play to date, blanking opponents in 13.1 innings pitched entering Saturday night’s matchup. His dominance was a major reason why Elander’s hook was quick on Kuhns.
Steven Milam singled to right field in the first at-bat after Appenzeller entered. A groundout to first base then put runners on second and third with one-out. Appenzeller got the job done from there, inducing a Omar Serna Jr. pop out and then striking out Derek Curiel looking to end the threat.
Serna and Curiel were the first of 15 straight batters that Appenzeller retired. The freshman did not overwhelm with is stuff, striking out six batters. But the Tigers just could not make hard contact off of him.
That first hit was the only baserunner that reached against Appenzeller. Now in 18.1 innings pitched in SEC play, Appenzeller has allowed zero runs, nine hits and one walk.
Box Score
Up Next
Tennessee and LSU conclude their three-game series on Easter Sunday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. First pitch is at 1 p.m. ET and the SEC Network+ is streaming the game.
