The Tennessee baseball defense made a special play in the seventh inning Saturday night against Oklahoma. Pitcher Chris Stamos and shortstop Christian Moore wonderfully executed a triple play. The rare baseball play marked Tennessee’s first triple play since February 2, 1997 against Eastern Kentucky, according to a UT spokesperson.
Stamos, who was facing his first true batter of the evening with runners on first and second and no outs, made an incredible diving catch to snag a bunt Oklahoma’s Jaxon Willits had squared up for out number one.
Stamos quickly got to his feet, turned around and fired a bullet to Christian Moore at second base, who tagged the bag to double up the first runner, then easily tagged the second runner, who was standing on second base.
There was a brief moment of everyone on the diamond looking around at each other before Moore threw his hands up as the infield umpire correctly made the triple play ruling.
The play sent Tennessee’s dugout into a frenzy as Stamos, Moore and company celebrated the wild play.
Watch the full play below.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!
🚨 TRIPLE PLAY 🚨
🖥️ https://t.co/K9txqjSJM9#GBO // #OTH // #BeatOU pic.twitter.com/VifHDChZP0
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) February 18, 2024
While the Vols would ultimately lose to Oklahoma 5-1 in extra innings, the play was the icing on the cake that was Tennessee’s defensive performance against the Sooners.
Two Vols made diving catches, a pair of infielders made significant plays, catcher Cal Stark was magnificent behind the plate.
Billy Amick was the first to have a defensive highlight when he made a great play at third for the second out of the first inning. Blake Burke then did the same at first for out number two in the second inning before Drew Beam picked off a base runner at first to end the frame.
Stark kept the defensive highlights rolling in the third, fourth and sixth innings. The senior catcher made a brilliant tag at home to prevent a run in the third then caught a base runner stealing in the fourth and sixth. Dylan Dreiling’s name also entered the chat in the fourth inning defensively when he made a diving catch that prevented an RBI double.
Tennessee’s defense helped out starting pitcher Drew Beam significantly. Beam was shaky in 5.2 innings of work, allowing seven hits while throwing only two strikeouts. If it weren’t for Tennessee’s elite defense, Beam would’ve given up double-digit hits and potentially at least a couple more runs.
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Beam’s day was done in the sixth with a runner on second and two outs. Sophomore right-hander Marcus Phillips relieved Beam, who had a short-lived outing.
Stamos relieved Phillips. Willits, who grounded into the triple play, was the only batter Stamos faced.
Tennessee’s pitching remained above average for the remainder of regulation, but Aaron Combs struggled with his command in the 10th, walking a pair before allowing an RBI single. Freshman Derek Schaefer appeared later in the frame and got rocked by the Sooners, giving up an RBI single and two-run single.
The rest was history, as Oklahoma held on to the four-run lead to defeat the Vols.
Tennessee (1-1) will be back at it Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET to take on Baylor (0-2) in hopes of leaving Arlington above .500.
