Tennessee baseball capped off its nine-game home stand with its eighth straight win, run-ruling Wofford 13-3 in seven innings at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
The Vols extended their pitching more than usual in the midweek matchup and Jared Dickey had a strong day in the win.
Here’s everything to know about the midweek victory.
More From RTI: Watch Josh Heupel Throw Out The First Pitch In Tennessee’s Win Over Wofford
More Extended Pitching Outings Ahead Of Three Pitcher Final Inning
Most Tennessee midweek games this season have included around nine different pitchers with very few recording more than three or four outs. But with the Vols facing one of their most difficult midweek challenges of the season and every game mattering in their NCAA Tournament chase, coach Tony Vitello extended his main arms.
Starter Zander Sechrist has rarely pitched more than an inning in midweeks since becoming a factor out of the bullpen on the weekends. But against Wofford Sechrist recorded eight outs for his third longest outing of the season. The southpaw was effective, allowing two baserunners and no runs while striking out three.
AJ Russell took the ball from Sechrist and continued the trend, throwing 2.1 innings of effective relief. The freshman didn’t allow a hit and recorded a career-high five strikeouts. However, Russell did allow an earned run when he surrendered a leadoff walk in the sixth inning (his second) and Jacob Bimbi allowed the inherited runner to score once he entered the game.
Nevertheless, it was another strong outing from Russell who seems on the cusp of becoming a more frequently used weekend arm.
With Tennessee opening up a run-rule lead, no one else threw more than an inning for the Vols while Tony Vitello did his now frequent final inning pitching plan where three different pitchers recorded a single out. In total, Tennessee used seven pitchers in the win.
Tennessee Breaks Things Open With More Two-Out Success
Tennessee had a modest early game lead from a two-RBI triple from Jared Dickey and an ensuing Wofford error that allowed Dickey to score.
But ahead of the fifth inning the game was still up in the air with Wofford very well in striking distance. The inning started strong for Tennessee with nine-hitter Charlie Taylor doubling before Maui Ahuna worked a walk.
The Vols put the pressure on Blake Burke when Hunter Ensley struck out and Jared Dick grounded out. Burke delivered with a two-RBI single to right field and then Christian Moore continued his hot hitting from the weekend, homering to right center field to give Tennessee a 7-0 lead.
The big inning took all the pressure off of Tennessee’s pitching staff and put the lead at a comfortable margin that all but locked up the midweek win.
Tennessee got two things it’s been consistently looking for with back end of the lineup production and the heart of the lineup delivering in big spots. The four two-out runs continued the Vols’ recent success of two-out hitting.
Dickey, Taylor Have Strong Days At The Plate
Two of Tennessee’s three catchers were in the starting lineup against Wofford with Jared Dickey starting in left field and Charlie Taylor starting behind the plate.
Dickey set the tone for Tennessee driving in the Vols first two runs while scoring the third one himself. It wouldn’t be the last runs the utility man drove or the last run he scored. The redshirt sophomore drove Hunter Ensley home in the sixth inning with a single.
Dickey went three-of-four at the plate with three RBIs tying his career-high in hits. It was the left fielder’s 10th three hit game of his career.
Taylor isn’t known for his bat like Dickey is and didn’t record three hits but was still effective at the plate, going two-of-three with a double. Twice Taylor sparked big innings for Tennessee by reaching base to leadoff the inning. The junior was strong behind the plate as usual.
Final Stats
Up Next
Tennessee heads on the road for the first time in over two weeks as it heads to Athens for a three-game series against Georgia. First pitch for the weekend series is at 6 p.m. ET Friday night.
