Vols season ends in 5-0 loss to LSU
There's a saying that good pitching, sound defense, and timely hitting will carry a team in the baseball postseason. The Vols didn't get enough from all three on Tuesday night, falling to LSU 5-0 in an elimination game at Charles Schwab Field. The first part – good pitching – wasn't particularly bad for the majority […]
There's a saying that good pitching, sound defense, and timely hitting will carry a team in the baseball postseason.
The Vols didn't get enough from all three on Tuesday night, falling to LSU 5-0 in an elimination game at Charles Schwab Field.
The first part – good pitching – wasn't particularly bad for the majority of the game. Drew Beam allowed a first inning run, then settled in and held the Tigers off the scoreboard until allowing an unearned run in the 6th inning. He struck out 9 while allowing 6 hits and 1 earned run over 5.2 innings and kept the Vols in the game.
Unfortunately, the Vols' ice-cold bats and less-than-stellar defense wasted Beam's performance. In the 5th inning, Maui Ahuna lined a double to the left-center field wall with two outs, and Cal Stark was held up at third base on what was a controversial decision. Hunter Ensley flied out to right, and the Vols' threat to take the lead evaporated.
Then, in the 7th inning trailing 2-0, the Vols loaded the bases when LSU second baseman Jordan Thompson fielded a slow grounder that would have ended the inning. Up again with a second chance to tie the game or give the Vols the lead, Ensley sent a weak grounder to the first base bag, and the Vols' last best opportunity was squandered. On the day, the Vols stranded nine runners in scoring position.
LSU's starter Nate Ackenhausen threw six scoreless innings, yet left some pitches up that were hittable that Tennessee simply missed on multiple occasions. He struck out 7 while allowing only 4 hits. Riley Cooper pitched three innings in relief, allowing two hits and one walk.
LSU extended the lead in the 8th after Christian Moore gave the Tigers additional life by fumbling the ball while trying to turn a double play that would have ended the inning. A wild pitch by Cam Sewell scored Tre' Morgan, and LSU was gifted a 3-0 lead. They would add on two in the 9th after a walk and a home run to right field by Dylan Crews.
Tennessee went 1-2-3 in the bottom of the ninth, ending the Vols season. Tennessee finished with an overall record of 44-22. After winning a game in Omaha after starting the season with a 5-10 SEC record, there's little doubt this team showed that it has heart of a champion, even if not the bats.
Featured image via Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
