Tennessee baseball dropped its series-finale against Texas 13-6 on Sunday afternoon at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. The Vols were largely out of reliable pitchers after scratching Landon Mack from his start and was unable to out slug No. 4 Texas.
Here’s how it happened.
It Was An Eventful First Inning
After scratching Landon Mack due to arm soreness, Tennessee turned to freshman Taylor Tracey to begin the bullpen game. Things started well for Tracey as he retired the first two batters that he faced.
But things then quickly went sideways after that. Tracey walked Anthony Pack Jr and Temo Becerra before Adria Rodriguez hit a Lindsey Nelson Stadium special into the Tennessee bullpen. Casey Borba then made it back-to-back long balls to give Texas a 4-0 lead. When Tracey walked Ethan Mendoza, his day was over.
Then in the bottom of the first inning, Tennessee loaded the bases with no-one out thanks to hits from Garrett Wright and Henry Ford as well as a Blake Grimmer walk.
Trent Grindlinger and Levi Clark were unable to bring a run home but Reese Chapman picked them up, lining a solo homer barely over the right field wall for a game-tying grand slam. After a 39-minute first inning, the game was tied 4-4.
Ruger Riojas Settled In After The First Inning
While Tracey was unable to make it through the first inning, Texas starting pitcher Rugas Riojas retired the next batter he faced following the Chapman grand slam and proceeded to settle in after the rough first inning.
Riojas pitched four innings and did not allow another run. In fact, the Vols totaled only two more baserunners against Riojas via a third inning walk and fourth inning hit-by pitch.
Allowing four earned runs in four innings certainly was not a good outing. But with multiple of Texas’ top bullpen arms fresh, getting to the middle of the game was a good consolation.
More From RTI: What Josh Elander Said About Landon Mack’s Injury
The Game Got Away From Tennessee In The Sixth Inning
Tennessee’s make shift pitching plan was far from perfect but kept the wheels on the tracks through the first five innings. Texas led 7-4 entering the inning after Chandler Day allowing two runs in three innings pitched and Will Haas allowed one run in 1.1 innings pitched.
But things got away from Tennessee in the sixth inning after Brayden Krenzel came in to pitch. Krenzel retired the first two batters he faced before two walks and a Temo Becerra single gave Texas a four-run lead.
Josh Elander went to Bo Rhudy after Krenzel walked his third batter of the inning. Rhudy was unable to exit the jam as Borba launched a grand slam into the left field porches. The five-run inning gave Texas a 12-4 lead that the Vols never seriously threatened.
Reese Chapman Had A Huge Senior Day
Senior Day has less allure in baseball than any other sport with most multi-year contributors opting for professional baseball after their junior seasons. Reese Chapman is an exception to the norm as an off-and-on starter on Tennessee’s 2024 National Championship team and an everyday starter for two full seasons.
The right fielder made the most of his Senior Day, turning in a massive day at the plate. Chapman’s most notable moment was the previously mentioned first inning grand slam.
Chapman’s most impressive plate appearance came in the sixth inning. He fell behind 1-2, fouled off six two-strike pitches while working the count full then uncorked a 406-foot two-run homer to right field on the 12th pitch of the at-bat.
Chapman went two-for-four at the plate with two homers and a career-high six RBIs.
Box Score
Up Next
Tennessee returns to Lindsey Nelson Stadium on Tuesday night to face Belmont in its final home game of the regular season. First pitch between the Vols and Bruins is at 5 p.m. ET with the SEC Network+ streaming the game.
