By Jay King
HOOVER, Ala. – This was easily one of the best offensive performances by the Volunteers all season.
The Volunteers made sure to start the postseason with their bats as hot as possible as they go through the SEC tournament.
“Hoover always continues to be a great event, and [a] really good job by our guys to get out of the gates and swing the bat a little bit,” said Tennessee Head Coach Josh Elander. “[It is] so good to be able to check that first box tonight, and [I am] excited for the game tomorrow.”
11-6 was the final score in a game where Tennessee had 15 hits. 11 of those 15 were singles, which were hit perfectly into the gaps of Carolina defenders. Everybody who played for the full game got a hit, except for Blaine Brown.
The most surprising thing about this win was that Tennessee did not get a single walk. Every time they got on base was either a hit or a South Carolina error.
Garrett Wright was the player of the game offensively for the Vols, as he went 4-for-5 today with three RBIs, a home run, and a stolen base.
Henry Ford was a close second, as he went on a heater at the plate as well. Ford was 3-for-4 with a double, two RBIs, and hit the other home run today for Tennessee.
Jay Abernathy may have only gone 1-for-4 today, but his glove was impactful, as he made a great double play to end the top of the second.
What made this offensive performance so impressive was that Reese Chapman was out today with an injury he sustained in practice on Monday. He is currently being checked out in Knoxville and remains questionable, according to Elander.
“Bad things happen to good people once in a while,” said Wright.
He is currently questionable for the rest of the tournament, but it is encouraging to see the team have such a great offensive game while missing a key contributor.
Nate Eisfelder stepped in for Chapman and had a key hit early on in the game, with a double down the right-center gap that scored two runs.
“I’m going to give props here to Nate Eisfelder as well for ripping a ball in the gap coming off his first SEC start,” said Wright. “He’s a gamer, and he does a good job.”
When looking at the pitching today, it was questionable. Cam Appenzeller got the start today for the Vols and was okay, but nothing like what we have seen earlier.
His final stat line today was five innings pitched, five strikeouts, while giving up six hits and three earned runs.
“There [were] a lot of good things that happened during the game that helped me out,” said Appenzeller. “I haven’t had my best stuff, but I’m working my way to get back there.”
He was credited with the win today, making him 6-1 on the season.
Brayden Krenzel was the second pitcher to come in for the Volunteers, and his struggles from the regular season continued today.
His stat line was 1.2 innings pitched, with two strikeouts, while giving up four hits, two home runs, and three earned runs. Those three runs he gave up made it a three-run game in the seventh inning, potentially giving the Gamecocks a comeback bid.
Will Haas was able to end that bid, though, as he came in relief with two outs in the second.
He was lights out in the 2.1 innings that he had, as he only gave up one hit and had six strikeouts, giving him his first save of the season.
“His stuff is pretty good… and he is a competitor,” said Wright. “You know he’s going to go out there and give you his best.
Up Next: The Vols move on to round two of the SEC Tournament and have a matchup with the No. 7 Arkansas Razorbacks.
Elander announced that southpaw Evan Blanco will be the starter for the game scheduled at 5:30 p.m. EST.