Tennessee baseball ran Lipscomb’s starting pitcher from the game in the first inning as the Vols jumped out to an early six-run lead and coasted to a 14-4 run-rule victory against the Bisons on Tuesday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Here’s how it happened.
Tennessee Jumped On Lipscomb Early
The first inning could not have gone much better for Tennessee. Sophomore Nic Abraham retired the Bisons on just six pitches before the Vols’ offense scored six runs.
Tennessee quickly went to work as Lipscomb starter Jevarra Martin Jr. faced just five batters. The Vols loaded the bases thanks to a Garrett Wright single and walks from Henry Ford and Reese Chapman. Blake Grimmer opened the scoring with a sac fly then Martin hit Grindlinger to end his day.
RHP Cameron Guise did not fare much better. Stone Lawless drove in a run with a single while Manny Marin and Wright, hitting for the second time in the inning, each drove in two runs with a single.
Tennessee brought 11 batters to the plate and scored six runs on four hits to take a strong first inning lead.
Things Spiraled For Abraham In The Second Inning
Josh Elander gave Abraham his first career start after a few promising SEC appearances including a strong one against Ole Miss on Friday night.
As previously noted, the first inning could not have gone much better. But things went sideways in a hurry as Lipscomb scored four runs off Abraham in the second inning.
The sophomore did not have any issues with his control. Not only did he not walk anybody but he was never in a count with three balls. However, Abraham did not miss any barrels.
Lipscomb totaled five hits off Abraham in the second inning including two extra-base hits. They often ambushed him early in at-bats with all four RBI hits coming on either the first or second pitch of the at-bat. Abraham was able to get out of the inning before exiting but it was an undoubtedly a disappointing outing from the right-handed sophomore.
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Garrett Wright Had A Massive Day
Before Sunday’s series-finale win against Ole Miss, no Tennessee player had four-plus hits in a game this season. Both Ford and Grimmer totaled four hits on Sunday against the Rebels and Wright picked up the mantle on Tuesday with a five-hit performance.
Wright singled twice in the first inning and added another in the third inning. Ironically, one of his extra-base hits was the ball he hit the softest. The utility man blooped a hit to right field. It had so much side spin that it got past right fielder Aaron Stelogeannis for a double.
The junior’s final hit of the night was a double off the top of the wall down the right field line.
Wright finished his day 5-for-5 at the plate with three RBIs. The Bowling Green transfer has given Tennessee consistently strong at-bats all season and Tuesday’s contest was the latest example.
Brayden Krenzel Pitched Well
Sophomore Brayden Krenzel has not thrown in a SEC game since the LSU series. He made his second midweek appearance since against Lipscomb and it was a solid one.
Krenzel retired the side in order in the sixth inning with a pair of strikeouts and a groundout. Both his strikeouts came on his wipeout slider that he’s struggled to command this season. Krenzel came back out for the seventh inning but exited after allowing a leadoff single.
We’ll see when Josh Elander feels comfortable giving Krenzel a leverage weekend opportunity again but his outing was a step in the right direction.
Box Score
Up Next
Tennessee baseball is back in action this weekend when it hosts Alabama in a three-game series at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. The three-game series begins on Thursday night at 7 p.m. ET and ESPN2 is broadcasting the game.
