By Ashley Stadnicki
Tennessee didn’t just win this weekend. They showed they could win in every way possible.
The Volunteers closed out the series with a 7–2 win over No. 9 Mississippi State, using a mix of early execution, a decisive middle inning, and a late push to put the game away for good.
Just like the first two games, Tennessee wasted no time getting on the board. The Vols scored twice in the opening inning behind a Henry Ford RBI infield single and a run coming home on a double play, continuing a weekend trend of finding ways to score without needing the big hit.
Mississippi State chipped away in the fourth with a run to make it 2-1, but Tennessee didn’t let it linger.
The sixth inning is where everything changed.
Ford drove in a run on a groundout, and Blake Grimmer followed with an RBI single to stretch the lead to 4-1, flipping the game from tight to controlled. It was another example of Tennessee’s hitting showing up at the exact right time.
Mississippi State tried to make one last push in the eighth, putting runners on and forcing Tennessee to make plays. A key defensive sequence up the middle helped limit the damage, and the Vols turned to the bullpen to shut the door on any real threat.
Then came the finishing touch.
In the ninth, Levi Clark ripped a two-RBI double down the right field line to push the lead to 7-2, sealing the game and the sweep.
“I think the biggest thing was listening to the coaches,” said Reese Chapman. “Not trying to go out there and hit every pitch.”
And that’s what made this weekend stand out.
“We proved that we can play with anyone and we can finish games,” said senior pitcher Evan Blanco.
Game 1 was chaos, Game 2 was control, and Game 3 was execution. Tennessee didn’t rely on just one strength. They showed they could respond and finish.
Three games, three wins, and a statement series on the road.
Up Next: UNC Asheville returns to Lindsey Nelson Stadium for another midweek game against the Volunteers this Tuesday, April 14, with first pitch scheduled for 6:00 PM ET on SECN+