University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
Texas A&M
Aggies Rally Past Vols in 6-1 Saturday Win
May 02, 2015 | Baseball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee came out strong in Game Two of the series against Texas A&M but could not hold onto an early lead, as the Aggies came back to take a 6-1 win on Saturday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
With the loss, the Volunteers move to 18-23 on the season and 7-16 in SEC competition, while Texas A&M (40-7) is now 15-7 in SEC play. Saturday night's win also gives the Aggies their second-straight series win over the Vols (also, 2013).
"We had things set up again for us tonight," Head Coach Dave Serrano said. "We had some opportunities to drive in some runs. [Texas A&M's] hits were at productive times and that's what good teams do. It was about them getting the hits when it mattered and that's what they've done in this series so far and that's what we really haven't done."
Sophomore Hunter Martin went 4.2 innings and allowed four runs on four hits, making his first start for the Vols since April 1 at Arkansas State. After issuing a leadoff walk in the first inning, Martin went on to retire his next eight batters faced and hold Texas A&M hitless until the fourth inning. His six strikeouts established a new season-high, while his 84 pitches thrown were also his most in a single outing this year.
"I really thought Hunter [Martin] was good," Serrano said. "They've got some speed, they've got some power and they've got some experience. It's a tough lineup and I thought he handled them pretty well."
"I felt good. I was grooving and I was just pitching today," Martin said. "I haven't done that in a while. I was confident in myself, in my ability and in the team behind me."
At the plate, Tennessee's lineup combined for five hits, led by second baseman Nick Senzel (1-for-3, R, 2-BB), shortstop A.J. Simcox (1-for-3, RBI) and right fielder Jordan Rodgers (1-for-3, 2B).
The Volunteers took advantage of a leadoff walk and hit batter in the first inning to plate one run on the Aggies, when Simcox roped an RBI-single into left field.
The Aggies came back to even the score at 1-1 in the fourth. In the next frame, Texas A&M went on to load the bases and further their lead to 4-1, due to a three-run double by designated hitter Mitchell Nau. The Aggies struck again in the sixth, pushing across two runs to make it a 6-1 ballgame.
"They answered back," Simcox said following the game. "We had [Aggies starter Ryan Hendrix] on the hook early and we gave ourselves an opportunity but we couldn't quite take advantage of it."
In relief, righthander Kyle Serrano went to the hill in the fifth and tossed 1.1 innings, allowing two runs on one hit. Righty Steven Kane entered in the seventh and provided 2.1 innings of work to hold the Aggies before freshman lefty Aaron Soto and senior Peter Lenstrohm came in to close the ninth.
Collectively, Tennessee's pitching staff recorded 11 strikeouts in the contest against the Aggies.
On Sunday, May 3, Tennessee will take on Texas A&M in the series finale at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, slated for 2 p.m. ET on SEC Network+ stream.
For the most up-to-date information on Tennessee baseball, visit UTSports.com/Baseball and follow @Vol_Baseball on Twitter.
