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Tennessee broadcaster botches Kentucky home run call after confusion over play result

Barkley-Truaxby:Barkley Truax•05/14/23•

BarkleyTruax

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Photo by Morgan Simmons | UK Athletics

No. 23 Tennessee entered Sunday’s game against No. 17 Kentucky looking to pull off the SEC series sweep at home.

Things looked to get off on the right foot for the Vols after center fielder Hunter Ensley appeared to catch a long ball from UK 1B Hunter Gilliam. Ensley bounced off the wall and the play-by-play commentator on the SECN+ broadcast was convinced the Tennessee outfielder had made the spectacular play.

The only problem — Gilliam was still running the bases and the ball was out of the park. The homer would score two runs for the bat Cats and make way for Kentucky to take a 3-0 lead to end the top of the first inning.

“I thought he caught it, but the ball just went off his glove and over the fence for the home run,” the announcer explained after realizing Gilliam went yard in the opening inning.

Catch the rest of the series finale on SECN+ and the ESPN app as the Wildcats look to salvage game three.

Tony Vitello emphasizes defending home field against Kentucky

Before taking a 2-0 series lead heading into Sunday, Vols head coach Tony Vitello explained why it’s so important for his team to stay focused during one of the hardest points of the season, especially against a team like Kentucky.

“I think it’s the game that is in front of you. This team has its own theme. This season has written part of its story to this point,” Vitello said on Thursday. “All you have to do is look at the wackiness that took place here Tuesday in the midweek game for a reference point of what is the next thing in front of you. 

“Our guys will [practice] shortly and it will be a lighter practice with finals and a Friday series awaiting us. Three long days. What is the thing in front of you? We probably had the best coach in the country talking about being where your feet are in Pat Summitt. So, I would listen to her before I listen to me if I were one of our players.” 

Saturday’s win improved the Vols to an impressive 32-4 at Lindsey Nelson Stadium this season. Even better for the Vols, the series win against UK gives Tennessee a winning record in SEC play (14-12) heading into the final week of the regular season. At this point in the year, anything to help postseason seeding is a plus. That means Sunday’s win could have major implications regarding SEC Tournament as both UT and UK have the same conference record.