How it Happened: Tennessee fights its way back for 8-3 win over Illinois
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 10
- 1Breaking
Dylan Raiola injury
Nebraska QB will play vs. USC
- 2
Elko pokes at Kiffin
A&M coach jokes over kick times
- 3New
SEC changes course
Alcohol sales at SEC Championship Game
- 4
Bryce Underwood
Michigan prepared to offer No. 1 recruit $10.5M over 4 years
- 5Trending
Dan Lanning
Oregon coach getting NFL buzz
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
Defense turns into offense!
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) March 10, 2024
Hunter with the pinch hit HR to get us on the board!
📺https://t.co/QLxG73tRll#GBO // #OTH // #BeatIllinois pic.twitter.com/SZaOXe8xpS
Bot 5th: Bale Burke sent a solo home run to centerfield. Illinois 3-2
#BurkeBlast has us within one.
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) March 10, 2024
📺https://t.co/QLxG73tRll#GBO // #OTH // #BeatIllinois pic.twitter.com/tjttjBf9YE
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
KT delivers and for the first time today we have the lead!
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) March 10, 2024
📺https://t.co/QLxG73tRll#GBO // #OTH // #BeatIllinois pic.twitter.com/EFV6t2XLHS
Bot 7th: Robin Villeneuve tallied a grand slam to left field. Vols 8-3
OH CANADA!
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) March 10, 2024
📺https://t.co/QLxG73tRll#GBO // #OTH // #BeatIllinois pic.twitter.com/AZ0Iv5flFF
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
