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How it Happened: Tennessee fights its way back for 8-3 win over Illinois

On3 imageby:Eric Cain•03/10/24•

_Cainer

Robin Villeneuve
Credit: UT Athletics

Tennessee once trailed 3-0 but utilized a five-run seventh to power its way into the win column for the 8-4 final score over Illinois – securing the three-game weekend sweep of the Fighting Illini.

The Vols (16-1) have now won 15-straight ballgames dating back to an opening-weekend loss to Oklahoma in the Lone Star State. Hunter Ensley and Blake Burke registered solo home runs in the fifth while Robin Villeneuve’s grand slam in the seventh was the deafening blow. Illinois (5-9) managed three runs on seven hits throughout the afternoon.

Nate Snead (4-0) earned the win on the mound for Tennessee, tossing six innings of relief while surrendering no runs, three hits, four strikeouts and no walks. Joseph Glassey (0-1) is the losing pitcher on the afternoon after giving up three runs on one hit with three walks in 1.2 innings of work.

Tennessee is back in action on Tuesday against Eastern Kentucky before starting Southeastern Conference play at Alabama next weekend. But first, here’s how it all went down for the Vols on Sunday afternoon.   

Postgame Video

Scoring Summary

Top 2nd: Ryan Moerman homered to centerfield. Illinois 1-0

Top 3rd: Coltin Quagliano flied out to right field. Runner tags from third. Illinois 2-0

Top 3rd: Drake Westcott drove in a runner on a ball hit off the centerfield wall. Illinois 3-0

Bot 5th: Hunter Ensley drilled a solo home run to left field. Illinois 3-1

Bot 5th: Bale Burke sent a solo home run to centerfield. Illinois 3-2

Bot 6th: Dean Curley logged a sac fly to left field to tie the game. Tied 3-3

Bot 7th: Kavares Tears singled to left, plating Dalton Bargo from second. Vols 4-3

Bot 7th: Robin Villeneuve tallied a grand slam to left field. Vols 8-3

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 | How it Happened | Four Takes | Tony Vitello Transcript
Saturday: Tennessee 24, Illinois 1 | Final Stats | How it Happened | Four Takes | Tony Vitello Transcript
Sunday: Tennessee 8, Illinois 3 | Final Stats

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

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