KNOXVILLE, Tn. — Tennessee baseball’s winning streak came to an end at 11 games Tuesday night as the Vols fell in a back-and-forth battle against Boston College 7-6.
It was a game of one-run innings as the lead changed hands multiple times and there were an abundance of ties.
Here’s everything to know about Tennessee’s midweek loss.
Vols’ Offense Answers The Bell Late, Still Miss Chances
Coming off its best series of the young season, Tennessee’s offense did not have its best night against Boston College.
The Vols totaled nine hits and had 13 baserunners throughout the game. Three different inning Tennessee went down in order and didn’t put any pressure on Boston College
But late in the game, Tennessee consistently found itself down one run and its offense made enough happen to take the lead.
In the seventh inning, Moore drove in a run after Logan Chambers and Maui Ahuna both worked consecutive one-out walks.
In the eighth inning, Dickey was hit by a pitch, stole second and scored while making a fantastic read on a Griffin Merritt single. The Vols easily could have taken the lead in the eighth inning but left runners stranded on second and third.
Even before that, Tennessee had runners on the corners with one-out when Cal Stark laid down a bunt but Merritt didn’t run home.
Tennessee found itself down one-run again in the ninth inning but they didn’t mess around before tying the game this time. Moore led off the inning with an opposite field home run. The Vols looked poised to finish the job this time when Blake Burke tripled with nobody out.
Instead, Boston College got out of the jam with a groundout and a 8-2 double play thanks to horrific base running from pinch runner Ethan Payne.
Those missed opportunities to take the lead in the eighth inning and win the game in the ninth inning came back to bite Tennessee in a big way. The Vols were impressive in their will to come back but frustrating with their lack of execution.
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Poor Defense Bites Tennessee
The Vols committed just one error against Boston College but that doesn’t tell the entire story. Tennessee made a pair of defensive miscues that cost them as Boston College played sound baseball and capitalized on the Vols’ mistakes.
The first mistake came in the fifth inning with one-out and a runner on first. Barry Walsh hit an awkward chopper that pitcher AJ Russell fielded and fired to first. Tennessee never had a chance to get the runner and Blake Burke smartly came off the base to catch the ball.
Only he didn’t catch it, hitting the top of his glove and going into right field, allowing the runners to advance to second and third. Russell’s throw was high but it was definitely a play Burke should have made.
A batter later, Cohl Mercado laid down a nice squeeze bunt to tie the game at three.
An inning later, Joe Vetrano hit a high fly ball to shallow right center field. It was an easy play to make but Tennessee communicated poorly. Second baseman Christian Moore tried to make the play but never got under the ball as it dropped in front of center fielder Christian Scott and right fielder Griffin Merritt.
Vetrano hustle and easily reached second on the play. Boston College took advantage again as Vetrano advanced to third on a groundout and scored as a Cameron Leary line drive got over the head of the plying in Tennessee infield.
Both plays were easily avoidable mistakes and both cost Tennessee in a midweek dog fight.
Lackluster Night For Tennessee’s Arms
Tennessee’s pitching staff wasn’t bad against Boston College. As just mentioned, the Vols’ defense did them no favors. Still, for an elite pitching staff and bullpen it wasn’t its best day.
It was a slow trickle of runs for Boston College as the Eagles scored one run in seven different innings with four pitchers giving up one earned run.
Zander Sechrist was Tennessee’s most effective pitcher, giving up one earned run in three innings pitched. AJ Russell finally looked human in his freshman season, giving up a 477 foot bomb before giving up the previously mentioned unearned run in the fifth inning.
Kirby Connell’s earned run was due to the poor defense in the sixth inning. Lindsey looked good in his two innings pitched but couldn’t get out of the jam he inherited in the sixth inning.
Zach Joyce gave up a solo homer to the first batter he faced before retiring the other three batters he faced. Seth Halvorsen had his worst performance of the young season, allowing the go-ahead run in the ninth on two hits and a walk before giving up a go ahead home run in the 10th.
Not one Tennessee pitcher was bad, but none had their best stuff against the Eagles.
Have Yourself A Night Christian Moore
Second baseman Chrstian Moore was absolutely phenomenal for Tennessee against Boston College. Moore drove in three runs on three different at-bats.
He had game tying hits twice in the final three innings including the home run that sparked Tennessee’s ninth inning rally.
The talented sophomore went three-for-five at the plate and was the most impressive Vol in the midweek bout.
Final Stats
Up Next
Tennessee returns to Lindsey Nelson Stadium Friday night for its first game in a three-game series against Morehead State. First pitch is at 6:30 p.m. ET.
