How it Happened: Tennessee homers late, runs away from South Carolina 8-3
Tennessee secured its ninth-straight series win with a late offensive outburst Friday night over South Carolina that resulted in the __ final from Lindsey Nelson Stadium in Southeastern Conference action.
The top-ranked Vols (45-10, 21-8) tallied three home runs and plated four runs in each of the sixth and seventh innings to run away from the No. 24 Gamecocks (33-20, 13-16), who managed only three runs in the second frame.
Christian Moore homered for the 27th time on the year. Blake Burke drilled the 11th grand slam for the Vols on the season. Hunter Ensley smashed a decisive three-run homer that put the Vols ahead for good.
Drew Beam (8-2) earned the victory on the mound after allowing three runs over six innings of work in the start. Garrett Gainey (0-3) logs a tough loss on the mound, surrendering four runs off seven hits in 5.2 innings of work. He was nearly flawless for the first five frames.
Tennessee and South Carolina will conclude the regular season Saturday at 1 o’clock eastern time for game three of the series, but first, here’s how it all went down on a Friday night.
Top 10
- 1
Danny Stutsman Jersey Theft
OU star's Senior Day jersey stolen
- 2
SEC fines OU twice
Sooners get double punishment
- 3
Big 12 title game
Scenarios illustrate complexity
- 4Hot
AP Poll Shakeup
New Top 25 shows Saturday carnage
- 5
Auburn punished
SEC fines Tigers for field storming
Postgame Videos
Scoring Summary
Top 2: Talmadge LeCroy’s infield single with the bases loaded plated the first run of the ballgame. SC 1-0
Top 2: Gavin Casas RBI to centerfield followed. SC 2-0
Top 2: Austin Brinling sacrifice fly brought in the third run of the frame. SC 3-0
Bot 6: Christian Moore drilled a solo home run to right. SC 3-1
Who else?
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) May 18, 2024
HR No. 27, RBI No. 60 for C-Mo!
📺 https://t.co/WFwkyhEXTw (SECN+)#GBO // #OTH // #BeatSC pic.twitter.com/JiUQmcVa7e
Bot 6: Hunter Ensley smacked a three-run homer to left field. Vols 4-3
HUNTER ENSLEY INTO ORBIT AND THE VOLS LEAD!!
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) May 18, 2024
📺 https://t.co/WFwkyhEXTw (SECN+)#GBO // #OTH // #BeatSC pic.twitter.com/5GeMOArTYW
Bot 7: Blake Burke drilled a grand slam over the right field wall. Vols 8-3
A #BURKEBLAST OF THE GRANDEST VARIETY!
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) May 18, 2024
📺 https://t.co/WFwkyhEXTw (SECN+)#GBO // #OTH // #BeatSC pic.twitter.com/PuORpYvnaP
The Final Stats
Tennessee baseball’s weekly schedule
Tuesday: No. 1 Tennessee 10, Belmont 0 (7 inn) | Final Stats | How it Happened | Four Takes | Vitello
Thursday: No. 1 Tennessee 9, South Carolina 3 | Final Stats | How it Happened | Four Takes | Vitello
Friday: Tennessee 8, South Carolina 3 | Final Stats
Saturday: No. 1 Tennessee vs. South Carolina | 1 pm ET | SEC Network+
Vols in the national polls this week
NCBWA – No. 1
USA Today – No. 1
Baseball America – No. 1
Perfect Game – No. 1
D1 Baseball – No. 1
