Tennessee baseball used a seven-run sixth inning to defeat Alabama 11-4 on Friday night in the series rubber match at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
A pair of underclassmen hitters turned in massive performances while Evan Blanco delivered another quality start. How Tennessee got it done to clinch the weekend series.
Evan Blanco Gave Up Hard Contact But Got Deep In The Game
Alabama tagged Tennessee started Evan Blanco for a pair of home runs and a pair of doubles on Friday night. But while Blanco allowed hard contact, he was still very productive.
The left-handed pitcher tossed six innings, allowing three runs on five hits while surrendering only one walk and striking out nine batters. Blanco did it just five days removed from throwing a career-high 110 pitches in a Sunday win over Ole Miss.
Blanco surrendered two doubles and an intentional walk against the last four batters he faced in the fourth inning. Alabama then led off the fifth inning with a homer and a single. At that point, Blanco seemed spent.
But he promptly retired the next six batters he faced while striking out the side in order in the sixth inning to earn another quality start. In six of his seven SEC starts, Blanco has pitched at least 5.2 innings while allowing three or less runs.
The Sixth Inning Was The Big One For Tennessee
Tennessee scored one run in the second inning and one run in the fourth inning, threatening to do more damage in both. But it was the sixth inning when the Vols not only took the lead but took control of the game by scoring seven runs.
Alabama helped Tennessee out to start the inning. Stone Lawless reached second when a Jason Torres throwing error went into the Tennessee dugout. Reese Chapman laid down a bunt only for Alabama pitcher Myles Upchurch to fire it into left field allowing Lawless to score and Chapman to reach second.
The Crimson Tide brought in top bullpen arm Ashton Crawther but he was ineffective, recording just one out on a sac bunt. Blaine Brown had the swing of the inning, lining a go-ahead two-run homer into the left field porches.
Another error allowed Levi Clark to reach and then Garrett Wright walked to put two-on with one-out. Henry Ford drove home a run with a single before Blake Grimmer singled to load the bases. Alabama made another pitching change before Trent Grindlinger drove home two runs with a bloop double to centerfield. Lawless added the seventh run on a RBI groundout.
The Vols entered the inning down a run before scoring seven runs on four hits and three Alabama errors. It completely changed the game.
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Blaine Brown And Trent Grindlinger Had Massive Games
Blaine Brown and Trent Grindlinger each turned in strong performances in game one of Friday’s doubleheader. They continued the trend in the series rubber match on Friday night.
Brown was absolutely stellar. The left fielder hit a pair of home runs and had a RBI single. He finished his night three-for-three with a walk and four RBIs. No Tennessee hitter had underperformed in SEC play as much as Brown to this point in the season. If he can turn his big weekend into consistent production it would really change Tennessee’s offense.
Grindlinger didn’t consistently break into Tennessee’s lineup until a few weeks ago, but has impressed with his ability to work quality at-bats. That was most obvious with his previously mentioned two-RBI double. He fell behind 0-2, fouled off a pair of pitches while working the count even and then provided the clutch hit.
Tennessee’s designated hitter finished the night three-for-five with a homer and the two-RBI double.
Brown and Grindlinger combined to bat 10-for-14 with three walks, three home runs and nine RBIs in Friday’s doubleheader.
Box Score
Up Next
Tennessee concludes its nine-game home stand on Tuesday night when they face West Georgia at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. First pitch is at 6 p.m. ET. The Vols then head on the road to face off against Kentucky in a three-game series next weekeNd.
