CLEMSON, S.C. — Black and grey clad college students jumped up-and-down and water flew everywhere as pure jubilation erupted from the third base dugout at Doug Kingsmore Stadium Saturday night.
Down to its last strike three separate times, Tennessee pulled off a miracle as third baseman Zane Denton hammered a go-ahead three run homer to Greenville. But that was just the beginning of the fun.
Clemson tied the game in the bottom of the ninth before the Vols earned a 6-5 victory in 14 innings— tying the longest game in program history.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Caden Grice Shoves
Clemson starter Caden Grice is one of the top left-handed pitchers in the country. He lived up to his billing Saturday night in a dominant 8.2 inning outing against Tennessee.
Grice’s command was simply fantastic. The junior threw 82 strikes on 113 pitches and made few mistakes that afforded Tennessee batters chances.
The lefty’s off-speed stuff was filthy as he struck out 10 Tennessee batters. The Vols’ left-handed bats particularly struggled against Grice, combining to go three-of-13 with four strikeouts.
The majority of Tennessee’s success against Grice came on a pair of solo homers before a consecutive singles finally ran him from the game in the ninth inning.
Grice’s ability to pound the strike zone also led to him working extremely deep into the game. The lefty allowed just eight total baserunners, six hits and two runs in 8.2 innings pitched.
Clemson’s ace was dominant against Tennessee but the Vols found a way anyhow.
Moore Effective In The Field And At The Plate
Tennessee second baseman Christian Moore is a streaky hitter but when he’s got it going he is the most dangerous batter in the Vols’ lineup.
Moore announced to the Clemson Regional that he was “on” Friday night when he drove in three runs with a double and home run. His hot hitting was on display again Saturday when he took a 1-2 Caden Grice pitch deep to left field for a solo homer. Moore totaled three of Tennessee’s hits including one that kept the Vols alive in the ninth.
The second baseman isn’t known for playing good defense. In fact, it’s been his biggest weak point this season. But Moore made some nice defensive plays for Tennessee against the Tigers.
The two most important came in the first inning. First, Moore made a fantastic catch and tag as Cal Stark caught Cooper Ingle stealing. It was a really nice throw from Stark but Moore made the play happen with the elite tag.
Moore ended the inning by making a fantastic charging play and throw to retire Caden Grice. If he hadn’t made it, Clemson would have had runners on the corners with two-outs.
The second baseman didn’t make a tough over the shoulder catch he could have in the second inning but was otherwise good defensively.
More From RTI: Play-By-Play Of Tennessee’s Saturday Night Showdown With Clemson
A Miraculous Comeback But Clemson Doesn’t Go Away
Tennessee was down to its last out with no one on base. Then all hell broke loose.
Christian Moore kept Tennessee alive with a single to left field and Blake Burke used his third hit of the game to bring the go ahead run to base.
That finally ran Clemson ace Caden Grice from the game and Zane Denton played hero. Two innings after hitting a solo homer, Denton roped a 2-2 pitch for a no doubt home run to left field. Down to its last out with no one on just moments before, Tennessee took a 5-4 lead on its third home run of the game.
Clemson did what it’s done all season, refusing to go away as Blake Wright led off the bottom of the ninth inning with a double and Cam Cannarella drove him home with a two-out RBI double.
Tennessee Pulls A Rabbit Out Of Its Hat In The 10th
After its incredible ninth inning comeback it appeared all for not. After Grace legged out a softly hit infield single to leadoff the 10th inning, Chase Burns began to implode.
Clemson pinch hit Mac Starbuck to bunt but Burns walked him on five pitches. Riley Betram was trying to lay down a bunt when Burns’ pitch hit him. With one softly hit ball, it looked like Clemson would win in the 10th.
But Burns kept his head about him, striking out Blake Wright for the inning’s first out. Clemson momentarily won the game on a Benjamin Blackwell fielder’s choice but replay showed the throw barely beat Blackwell thanks to a phenomenal Ethan Payne stretch.
In a game with countless twists-and-turns, the bottom of the ninth 10th inning was near the top in terms of craziness.
Tennessee Finishes The Job In The 14th Inning
Hunter Ensley was zero-for-six with four strikeouts when he stepped to the plate with one-out and a runner on first in the 14th inning. The centerfielder saved his biggest hit of the season for the most unlikely moment.
Ensley roped a doubles into the right center gap that scored Ahuna and gave Tennessee a 6-5 lead. Tennessee threatened after Ensley’s double eventually loading the bases with two-outs, but the Vols couldn’t extend the lead any further.
Seth Halvorsen finished the job around a one-out walk in the bottom of the inning and Tennessee advanced to the Clemson Regional final.
Final Stats
Up Next
Tennessee is a win away from advancing to the super regionals for the third straight season. The Vols will face the winner of Charlotte and Clemson at 6 p.m. ET Sunday night.
One Response
‘All for naught’ – not ‘all for not’. Common error.