Tennessee was looking to take the series on Friday night in Columbia, as the two teams squared off with conference standings at stake. Unfortunately for the Vols, they came up short, dropping the game 3-2.
The Vols came out of the gates with stellar pitching from Will Heflin, who finished the game with 6 K’s and 4 hits, as he only threw 60 pitches on the night. Tennessee got things on offense with a Connor Pavolony RBI-Single and they led 1-0 in the 3rd. It was the 4th inning where Luc Lipcious struck again, as he hit a bomb to right field, his second HR of the series, giving Tennessee a 2-0 lead.
Luc Lipcius with the 💣 to right field.
2nd homer of the series and pretty much same spot as Friday. @Vol_Baseball leads 2-0 pic.twitter.com/fHFlvq3KN7
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) May 22, 2021
Unfortunately for Tennessee, the Gamecocks struck pay-dirt in the 5th. Thanks to 2 hits off Heflin, South Carolina was in position to strike, after Camden Sewell came in to relieve Heflin with one out on the board. Brady Allen took a hanging pitch from Sewell and delivered a 3-run homer, giving the Gamecocks the 3-2 lead.
Tennessee had a significant opportunity to at least tie it up in the 7th, as they had two runners in scoring position, with one out. Connor Pavolony and Liam Spence both ended up flying out, as the Vols squandered away a few hits.
Though the Vols received some pretty solid pitching from Camden Sewell, who finished the game with five strikeouts, they never had another opportunity like the 7th inning. South Carolina finished off the Vols and tied the series, heading into Saturday’s crucial game three.
Just another wild night in the SEC. At least game three will be on the SEC Network.
