How it Happened: Vols cruise in 6-3 series-opening win over Illinois
Tennessee found itself in a quick 1-0 hole in the first inning but bounced back to score three its first time up and cruised from there behind AJ Causey on the mound as the Vols handled the Fighting Illini 6-3 in game one of the series Friday night from Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
A two-run home run from Billy Amick, solo shots by Cal Stark and Dylan Dreiling and run-scoring doubles from Blake Burke and Dean Curley paced Tennessee (14-1) offensively for the club’s 13th-straight victory. Illinois (5-7) found its lone runs of the game on a double and single from Camden Janik and an RBI groundout from Coltin Quagliano.
Causey (3-0) tied a career-high of 12 strikeouts on the night, picking up the win after allowing only one runoff six hits over six innings of work. Jack Crowder (0-1) is the losing pitcher on the night after giving up five runs off eight hits in five innings of work. Marcus Phillips (1) earned his first save after entering the game in the ninth inning with one out and the tying run on deck.
Tennessee and Illinois will be back at it Saturday afternoon for game two of the series beginning at 1 pm ET. But first, here’s how it all went down for the Vols on Friday night.
Postgame Video
Scoring Summary
Top 1: Camden Janik doubled to the wall in centerfield, scoring a run from second base. Fighting Illini 1-0
Bot 1: Blake Burke doubled to the corner in right field, plated Christian Moore from second base. Tied 1-1
Back to-back doubles from CMo and Blake and we get that run right back!
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) March 8, 2024
📺https://t.co/sYd4GoU4ku#GBO // #OTH // #BeatIllinois pic.twitter.com/Nl0ol0LBGm
Bot 1: Billy Amick sent a two-run home run over the wall in right field. Vols 3-1
That's a bad man right there. No. 9 for Billy!
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) March 8, 2024
📺https://t.co/sYd4GoU4ku#GBO // #OTH // #BeatIllinois pic.twitter.com/i2rqWGR9Lp
Bot 2: Cal Stark launched a solo home run to left field. Vols 4-1
Cal went down and got that one for his first long ball of the year!
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) March 8, 2024
📺https://t.co/sYd4GoU4ku#GBO // #OTH // #BeatIllinois pic.twitter.com/ZI3F2YKstG
Bot 6: Dean Curley doubles to left field, plating Dylan Dreiling. Vols 5-1
Bot 8: Dylan Dreiling launched a solo home run to right field. Vols 6-1
Top 9: Camden Janik’s RBI single plates the second run of the ballgame for the visitors. Vols 6-2
Top 9: Coltin Quagliano’s RBI groundout (5-3) plated a runner. Vols 6-3
The Final Stats
Tennessee Baseball Weekly Schedule
Tuesday: Tennessee 15, Kansas State 5 | Final Stats | How it Happened | Four Takes | Tony Vitello Transcript
Wednesday: Tennessee 2, Southern Indiana 1 | Final Stats | How it Happened | Four Takes | Tony Vitello Transcript
Friday: Tennessee 6, Illinois 3 | Final Stats
Saturday: No. 8 Tennessee vs. Illinois | 1 pm ET
Sunday: No. 8 Tennessee vs. Illinois | 1 pm ET
Tennessee in the National Polls this week
NCBWA – No. 7
Baseball America – No. 7
Perfect Game – No. 7
D1 Baseball – No. 8
USA Today – No. 8
