By Nick Rose
Tennessee snapped its six-game losing streak in SEC play with a smooth Sunday win versus Missouri, 7-1.
The bats continued their success from Friday and Saturday, going 8-for-29 with two walks and a hit-by-pitch. Two of those hits were home runs, hit by Levi Clark and Garrett Wright.
Not all offensive success was because of the big fly, however; the first run was scored off a delayed double steal, which saw Reese Chapman bait a throw to second from the catcher, which allowed Blaine Brown to score from third.
Blanco shines
Evan Blanco came into the game with a 1-2 record as a pitcher. Coming off a tough road loss to UGA, the Virginia transfer bounced back strong. The senior had a career day, tallying a career-high 7.2 innings pitched with four hits and one earned run allowed. He also had five strikeouts and two walks.
“I relied heavily on my fastball today, and they were giving me the first pitch swings,” Blanco said. “To be able to get out so early in counts was beneficial for us, but also, like, pitch counts, staying in the game longer, and giving us a chance to win.”
Big fourth inning
The Vols were able to extend their lead with a strong fourth inning of offense. Chapman got the inning started with a double, which was quickly followed by a single by Wright. Stone Lawless was able to score Chapman after a sacrifice fly out to centerfield. Most of the damage was done when catcher Clark snuck a home run through the wind over the right-field wall.
“Just with a great perspective that each day is a new day and with consistent work ethic, he’s going to produce what he normally produces,” Chapman said about Clark’s recent success.
Offense finishes strong after scare from Missouri
Missouri’s offense showed hope for a spark at the top of the sixth after Pierre Seals demolished a two-out pitch from Blanco to cut the Vols’ lead to three. The Tigers were able to get a single after the home run, but Blanco stood strong and forced a flyout to right to end a potential rally.
The top of the seventh saw extra security as Lawless led off with a double and was brought home after Tyler Myatt, who pinch hit for Newstrom, hit a ball right up the middle.
“I trust Tyler to be disciplined enough to get a pitch he can do damage on,” Tennessee Head Coach Josh Elander said. “He does that and then also has the maturity to stay through the middle of the field … and Stone’s got a good job of getting to the plate.”
The Vols also added further cushion when Wright got just enough of one to allow the wind to carry it into the bleachers in the eighth inning to plate him and Chapman, taking a 7-1 lead.
Up Next: The Volunteers look to continue their success on Tuesday against USC Upstate before heading to Nashville to face in-state rival Vanderbilt.