Both Landon Mack and Cam Appenzeller struggled on the mound as Tennessee baseball dropped its series opener 12-8 against Alabama on Thursday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
The Vols offered an abundance of free passes, overshadowing a solid night from their offense. Here’s how it happened.
Landon Mack Had His Worst Performance In A Tennessee Uniform
While Landon Mack hasn’t always been great this season, the right-handed pitcher has been extremely solid and has done a great job not letting his bad outings spiral on him. That was not the case on Thursday night when Alabama ran him from the game in the third inning.
Mack clearly did not have hi command from the jump when he walked two of the first three batters he faced. Alabama scored just one run in the first inning but stranded the bases loaded as Mack walked three batters.
The sophomore pitcher retired the first two batters of the second inning but Alabama plated another run thanks to a pair of two-out singles, a stolen base and a balk that plated a run.
Mack’s ability to limit the damage and Tennessee’s early offensive success helped mitigate the issues I the first two innings. But things went sideways in the third inning. Alabama led off the inning with a single and then a walk before Tennessee recorded its first out. But Mack then hit Luke Vaughn in the head with a 1-2 pitch and that ended his day.
Cam Appenzeller was unable to pick Mack up, allowing all three inherited runs to score on a double to centerfield. Mack finished his day allowing five runs on four hits and four walks in 2.1 innings pitched. It was the most earned runs he’s given up in a game this season while also being his shortest outing.
Alabama Opening Things Up With A Two-Out Rally In The Sixth
Cam Appenzeller was not at his best but Alabama’s lead was just 6-4 when the freshman lefty retired the first two batters he faced in the sixth inning. But things quickly unraveled for Tennessee.
Appenzeller walked Brady Neal and Bryce Fowler before Eric Hines mashed a three-run homer to left field which ended Appenzeller’s day. It gave Alabama a five-run lead in the sixth inning and Tennessee was unable to recover.
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Tennessee Offered Up An Abundance Of Free Passes
There’s nothing Tennessee head coach Josh Elander has talked to the media about more this season than the Vols’ need to limit free passes for its opponents. You’ve probably bee able to pick up on it from the first two sections but Tennessee did a terrible job of that in the series opener.
The Vols’ pitchers combined to walk 10 batters and hit six more. In the seventh inning, Tennessee pitchers hit four Alabama batters including two with the bases loaded. You simply can not win games in the SEC offering up that many free passes.
Tennessee’s bullpen was largely terrible though Nic Abraham did provide some stability and was able to throw it over the plate. He did not offer any free passes.
The Top Of Tennessee’s Lineup Produced
The positive from Tennessee’s loss was that its offense produced. Garrett Wright and Henry Ford provided a major boost from the top of the order.
Wright followed up his five-hit night on Tuesday by hitting a pair of home runs and reaching base safely three times. He nearly had a third home run when he flew out to the warning track in centerfield.
Ford went two-for-five at the plate with a double and home run while driving in two runs. The Virginia transfer is beginning to heat up at the plate and Tennessee badly needs it.
Box Score
Up Next
Tennessee and Alabama resume their three-game series on Friday night. First pitch between the Vols and Crimson Tide is at 6:30 p.m. ET. The SEC Network+ is streaming the game.
