Tennessee baseball head coach Josh Elander met with the media following the Vols’ 10-9 series-salvaging win over Kentucky Sunday in Lexington.
Elander discussed Landon Mack’s start, big days at the plate from Levi Clark and Reese Chapman, the importance of leaving Lexington with a win and more.
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See everything Elander said following the thrilling win below.
On his general reaction to the game:
“Just a wild game all the way around, but great job by our offense. Bunch of punches being thrown back and forth. You don’t really draw it up where you give up 8 runs in the last 3 innings and still find a way to get out. But, a Sunday win, we’ll take it any way we can get it, salvage the weekend, and I liked how our offense competed.
“They hit some balls out of the ballpark. We need to be better out of the bullpen, but a great win for our guys to end the weekend.”
On Landon Mack’s outing:
“He was phenomenal. He did everything we asked him to, made a few adjustments to make sure that his glove was covered up and (he) attacked the strike zone. Worked around some traffic in the first, but just throwing strikes. Had all the pitches going today, threw some good curveballs, cutter was good, fastball had life – some with run, some with ride – that’s what we expect. He’s a difference maker when he’s locked in, and he needs to take a lot of confidence from that going down the stretch because we’re going to need him. He was really good today.”
On Levi Clark’s ninth inning homer, Clark’s and Reese Chapman’s performances:
“It’s massive. That’s what you expect. Those guys are franchise players for us, and they need to be in the middle of the lineup. That’s where it started in recruiting. It’s good to see them start to put some good swings together. Phenomenal job today by our offense, moving runners, sac flies, Trent (Grindlinger) with two great bunts, just working together to win.
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“And they gave us the breathing room that we needed. Again, we need to be better on the mound, but phenomenal job by our offense to extend the lead and continue to stay on the gas pedal. We’ve seen on Sunday in this league, it’s crazy. It’s a ton of back and forth. There’s a lot of high-scoring games. But great job by our offense to continue to give us breathing room. And Reese and Levi and Trent, a lot of guys took some really good swings today.”
On the message to the team ahead of today’s game to come away with a win and salvage the series…
“We talk about Sunday being important all the time, but you got to stay in it this time of year and control the noise. And only thing you can worry about is the game right in front of you. We made it clear that those two efforts back-to-back – we can’t do that. That’s not up to the standards of how we play. Able to compete and stay in the fight today. There could have been times where they punch back and all of a sudden you lay down, but phenomenal job by our guys to stay in it throughout the course of the entire Sunday.
“Now, we get to head on back to Lindsey Nelson Stadium for a 5-game stretch and excited to see Vol Nation back there. This is a big win and a good feather in our cap for another Sunday win.”
On if he’s hoping the offensive momentum can be carried into next week and the series with Texas…
“Yeah, it was a good reset. Not good at all the first two days offensively. Faced two completely different looks up here with (Ben) Cleaver (who) is an 85-mile-an-hour lefty, and then (Jaxon) Jelkin, probably a future big leaguer. Today, (we) faced a ton of different arms. Guys just need to settle in.
“But this time of year in May, playing at home at Lindsey Nelson— our guys need to enjoy it. It’s a gift every time they get to do that. We got five games rocking and rolling, so we’ll get on our home turf. They’ll get to sleep in their own beds for a little bit, but I know we’re excited to get through these next five at home.”
