Tennessee baseball opened up its weekend at the Astros Foundation College Classic with a 5-2 victory over Oklahoma State on Friday afternoon.
A handful of Tennessee pitchers turned in strong outings while four solo home runs powered the Vols’ offense against the Cowboys.
Here’s how Tennessee got it done and improved to 9-0 on the young season.
Liam Doyle Keeps Dominating, With Help From His Defense
Tennessee Friday night starter Liam Doyle was absolutely dominant in his first two starts of the season, combining to strike out 25 batters in 10.1 innings pitched. He didn’t slow down any against a strong Oklahoma State offense.
Doyle struck out two batters in the first inning and was off and running. The left hander went on to strike out nine Cowboy batters. He struck out the leadoff man in each of the first four innings and struck out the side in the fourth inning.
Those high strikeout numbers did lead to a shorter outing. Doyle exited after just 4.1 innings and 90 pitches when Oklahoma State had batters reach on an infield single and walk on a seven-pitch at-bat.
Fellow left Dylan Loy came in after Doyle and got out of the jam to strand the two runners on base. Doyle ended the day without giving up a run while allowing three hits and two walks
Loy wasn’t the only Vol that picked Doyle up. Tennessee’s defense did the same behind him. When Oklahoma State’s Nolan Schuburt walked in the first inning, Cannon Peebles caught him stealing. Brayden Smith lined a single into right field in the third inning and Reese Chapman cut him down as he tried to stretch it to a double.
Gavin Kilen Leads A Solo Home Run Party
Tennessee first hit of the game was on its second at-bat when Gavin Kilen launched a 394-foot no doubt home run to right field to open the scoring. The Vols had a few more baserunners their first time through the lineup but no more hits when Kilen came back to the plate to leadoff the third inning.
The left-handed second baseman did it again, lining an opposite field solo home run over the tall and short wall in left field to extend Tennessee’s lead to 2-0.
Freshman third baseman Manny Marin got in on the fun in the fourth inning when he took Gabe Davis deep to left field for a solo homer. It was the first home run of Marin’s career as he continues to take advantage of opportunities as Alberto Osuna awaits word on his eligibility.
After striking out in his first two at-bats, Dean Curley got in on the fun in his third at-bat later in the fourth inning. Tennessee’s leadoff man took Stormy Rhodes deep to right field for his fourth home run of the season.
Tennessee manufactured its final run of the game in the sixth inning but it was the solo home runs that led the way for the offense.
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Strikeout Bonanza Continues With The Bullpen
Tennessee’s high strikeout numbers didn’t stop when Doyle left the game in the fifth inning as the Vols’ bullpen struck out seven Oklahoma State batters to give the Tennessee pitching staff 16 total strikeouts on the game.
Loy struck out both Oklahoma State batters he faced with a pair of wicked curveballs in the fifth inning. Tanner Franklin came in to start the sixth inning and immediately went to work, striking out the first two batters he faced.
The Cowboys had more success against Franklin than anyone else, scoring two runs off of him in three innings including a Colin Brueggemann solo home runs. But Franklin’s fastball was eye opening. It sat in the upper 90s and hit 102 mph early in his outing.
The Kennesaw State transfer struck out five batters including a significant strikeout to get out of the eighth inning and strand a runner on second. Veteran Nate Snead came in to pitch the ninth inning and closed the door on the Cowboys but didn’t strike anyone out in the process.
Box Score
Up Next
Tennessee baseball is back in action on Saturday afternoon when they face Rice in its second game of the Astros Foundation College Classic. First pitch is at 12:05 p.m. ET with RHP Marcus Phillips getting the ball for the Vols.
