How it Happened: Tennessee rally not enough as Alabama holds on 6-5
Tennessee was on its way to a blowout loss early Thursday night, but the Vols battled back and had chances to take the lead late in game one of the series against Alabama. Ultimately, it was the Crimson Tide who held on for the 6-5 Southeastern Conference win in Tuscaloosa.
The No. 1 Vols (20-2, 3-1 SEC) have now dropped consecutive games for the first time since March 16-17, 2024. Those back-to-back losses also came from Alabama (22-1, 4-0 SEC) on the road, beginning conference play a season ago.
Tennessee managed five runs off nine hits in the contest but left seven men on base. Alabama plated six runs off six hits and took control of the game with a five-run second inning. Hunter Ensley (RBI single) and Andrew Fischer (sac fly) cut it to one run in the seventh, but Alabama’s bullpen was able to hold on for the victory.
Liam Doyle (L, 3-1) is charged with his first loss of the season after allowing six runs (five earned) off six hits with nine strikeouts and four walks on a season-high 110 pitches. Zane Adams (W, 4-0) earned the victory on the mound despite surrendering five runs (four earned) on six hits in 6.1 innings pitched. Carson Ozmer (S, 6) is credited with the save.
Tennessee’s Dylan Loy pitched two clean innings of relief for the Vols. Jay Abernathy led the way at the pate with three hits. Hunter Ensley added two hits in the contest while Andrew Fischer drove in three runs and homered.
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Up Next: Tennessee and Alabama square off for game two of the series on Friday at 7 o’clock eastern time The series-finale is set for Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock eastern time.
Scoring Summary
Top 1: Andrew Fischer took a 3-0 pitch over the right field wall. Vols 2-0
Top 2: Cannon Peebles RBI infield single to third. Vols 3-0
Bot 2: Will Plattner bases loaded walk. Vols 3-1
Bot 2: Richie Bonomolo bases loaded walk. Vols 3-2
Bot 2: Justin Lebron a three-run double. Tide 5-3
Bot 3: Richie Bonomolo RBI groundout to short. Tide 6-3
Top 7: Hunter Ensley RBI infield single off the mound. Tide 6-4
Top 7: Andrew Fischer sacrifice fly to CF. Tide 6-5
Tennessee Baseball Weekly Schedule
Tuesday: ETSU 7, No. 1 Tennessee 6 (10 Inn) | Box Score | How it Happened | Four Takes | Vitello
Thursday: No. 12 Alabama 6, No. 1 Tennessee 5 | Box Score
Friday: No. 1 Tennessee at No. 12 Alabama | 7 PM ET | SEC Network+
Saturday: No. 1 Tennessee at No. 12 Alabama | 2 PM ET | SEC Network+
Vols in the National Polls this Week
USA Today – No. 1
Baseball America – No. 1
Perfect Game – No. 1
NCBWA – No. 1 (not updated this week)
D1 Baseball – No. 1
