How it Happened: Gavin Kilen’s big blast carries Vols to series-sweep
Tennessee capped the weekend with a 11-1, run-rule game three victory over Samford Sunday afternoon from Lindsey Nelson Stadium, earning the second series-sweep of the young season.
Gavin Kilen (3-run) and Hunter Ensley (solo) recorded back-to-back home runs in the five-run fifth inning that highlighted the offense for Tennessee (7-0). Levi Clark and Stone Lawless lso accomplished the feat in the eighth inning. Jeffrey Ince launched a leadoff home run in the first inning, but that was it for the Bulldogs (3-4).
Austin Hunley (1-0) picked up the win for Tennessee as he tossed two clean innings of relief. Josh Leerssen (0-1) took home the loss after allowing six runs (five earned) off seven hits in just 3.2 innings of work.
Tennessee returns to action on Tuesday for midweek action against North Alabama. The game is set to begin at 4:30 pm ET. Here’s how Sunday’s win over Samford happened for the Vols.
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Scoring Summary
Top 1st: Jeffrey Ince led off the game with a solo home run. Vols 1-0
Bot 2nd: Dean Curley reaches on fielder’s choice, run scored. Additional run scored on error. Vols 2-1
Bot 4th: Gavin Kilen sent a three-run homer to right. Vols 5-1
Bot 4th: Hunter Ensley followed back-to-back with a solo home run. Vols 6-1
Bot 4th: Andrew Fischer scored on a fielding error by the shortstop. Vols 7-1
Bot 5th: Gavin Kilen sacrifice fly to left field. Vols 8-1
Bot 5th: Hunter Ensley RBI single to left. Vols 9-1
Bot 6th: Levi Clark solo home run to left field. Vols 10-1
Bot 6th: Stone Lawless solo home run. Vols 11-1
Postgame Video
The Final Stats
Tennessee’s Weekly Schedule
Tuesday: No. 4 Tennessee 29, UNC Asheville 4 (7 Inn) | Box Score | How it Happened | Four Takes | Vitello
Friday: No. 4 Tennessee 5, Samford 1 | Box Score | How it Happened | Four Takes | Vitello
Saturday: No. 4 Tennessee 7, Samford 3 | Box Score | How it Happened | Four Takes | Vitello
Sunday: No. 4 Tennessee 11, Samford 1 (7 Inn) | Box Score
Vols in the Weekly Polls
USA Today – No. 2 (preseason)
NCBWA – No. 2 (preseason)
Baseball America – No. 3
D1 Baseball – No. 4
Perfect Game – No. 5
