CLEMSON, S.C. — Having thrown 99 pitches through six innings, Andrew Lindsey ran to the pitcher’s mound to start the seventh inning almost as if he was afraid Tony Vitello would change his mind and end his day after six dominant innings.
Nothing Charlotte’s batters did fazed Lindsey as the Vols’ junior diced up his former team as Tennessee cruised to a 8-1 Clemson Regional opening win.
Here’s everything to know about the victory.
Tennessee Pummels Charlotte Starter Collin Kramer
Charlotte didn’t start All-CUSA pitcher Wyatt Hudepohl against Tennessee electing instead to throw LHP Collin Kramer. On paper, the move made plenty of sense. Kramer’s numbers are only mildly worse than Hudepohl and Tennessee has struggled to hit left-handed pitching this season.
But the Vols had no issues with Kramer, jumping on the 49ers by consistently hitting the sophomore in the opening innings of their NCAA Tournament opener.
The trouble started immediately for Kramer as he walked Tennessee leadoff man Maui Ahuna on four pitches. Ahuna reached third on a two-out Griffin Merritt single which set the stage for a Christian Moore two-run double in the right center gap.
The second inning was much like the first inning. The Vols put two-on with one-out when Maui Ahuna singled up the middle to drive home a run. Tennessee extended its lead to 4-0 two at-bats later when Jared Dickey lined the first pitch he saw into right field for a single.
When Christian Moore went opposite field for a solo homer to leadoff the third inning, Tennessee led 5-0 and Kramer’s day was over.
Five earned runs on five hits in two innings was enough for Tennessee to take an early commanding lead. It came from consistent hard contact against the 49ers southpaw.
More From RTI: Play-By-Play Of Tennessee Baseball’s Regional Opening Win Over Charlotte
Andrew Lindsey Works Around Early Adversity, Dominates Clemson
Andrew Lindsey worked himself into quick trouble to open the NCAA Tournament. Blake Jackson worked a walk to open the game, Cam Fisher was hit-by a pitch with one-out and Brandon Stahlman loaded the bases with a swinging bunt.
But Lindsey got out of the jam by striking out Will Butcher— his third strikeout of the game’s opening frame.
The former Charlotte pitcher threw 30 pitches while laboring through the first inning. It was all smooth sailing from there.
After allowing a one-out single in the second inning, Lindsey retired 12 straight Charlotte batters while putting it on cruise control.
Former Tennessee infielder Austin Knight hit a solo homer in the seventh inning but it was the only run Lindsey allowed in a dominant outing. The junior right-hander allowed just one run, five hits and one walk while tying his career-high 10 strikeouts.
The final stats don’t even tell the complete tale of Lindsey’s dominant outing. While Charlotte totaled five hits against Lindsey, two were lightly hit infield singles.
Facing his former team, Lindsey was dominant and got the Vols’ NCAA Tournament run started on the right foot.
Merritt, Moore Propel Tennessee’s Offense
There were plenty of Tennessee batters who had strong nights as one would expect in an eight run outing. But Griffin Merritt and Christian Moore were the two players that propelled Tennessee’s offense Friday night.
Moore opened the scoring for Tennessee offense with a two-run double and added the solo homer that ended Kramer’s day. The Vols’ best hitter against lefties lived up to his billing against Charlotte going two-of-three at the plate with three RBIs and a walk.
While Moore’s swings got Tennessee going offensively, Griffin Merritt was just as effective. The designated hitter went three-of-four at the plate with three RBIs. Merritt earned all his RBIs on one swing of the bat, hitting a no doubt three-run homer to left field that effectively put Charlotte away in the fourth inning.
⚠️ be on alert in the outfield porches when Griffin Merritt is hitting ⚠️
Griff launches his 18th homer of the year, this one a 3-run shot to make it 8-0 Vols! 🚀🚀
📺 https://t.co/5IxkIXygwU#GBO // #OTH // #BeatCLT pic.twitter.com/HzdhTpQIHr
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) June 2, 2023
The moonshot home run nearly came back on the field after hitting the overhang above the left field seats.
Moore and Merritt are two of Tennessee’s top power hitters and are also two of Tennessee’s best hitters when they’re on. Both starting the weekend strong is a good sign for a Volunteer team hoping to have enough offense alongside their dominant pitching.
Final Stats
Up Next
Tennessee returns to the field in the winner’s bracket championship Saturday night at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. First pitch between Clemson and Tennessee is at 6 p.m. ET.
