University of Tennessee Athletics
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Vols Drop Series Finale to #11 LSU, 10-7
May 15, 2016 | Baseball
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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee was unable to sustain a late-game rally in its 10-7 loss to #11 LSU on Sunday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. The Vols recorded eight hits in the game, including four extra-base knocks, two of which occurred during the seventh inning.
With the loss, Tennessee moves to 26-26 (7-20 SEC) and the Tigers improve to 36-16 with a 17-10 record in Southeastern Conference play following their three-game sweep over UT.
After a one-hit first inning for both teams, LSU scored three runs on two hits and a fielding error by Tennessee in the top of the second to take a 3-0 lead.
The Vols immediately answered in the bottom of the inning, putting a crooked number on the board. Tennessee started the second off with a single to left field by Benito Santiago (2-for-4, 2 RBI). Jordan Rodgers then reached first on a 6-4 fielder's choice. In the next at-bat, senior catcher Tyler Schultz (2-for-3, 2 RBI) advanced to first on ball four, moving Rodgers to second. Max Bartlett (1-for-4, RBI) then singled to left to score Rodgers. Following a double steal that put runners on second and third, Derek Lance (RBI) ground out to short to drive in a run and make it a 3-2 ballgame.
The Tigers struck again in the third, plating a run following a lead-off double and a single to further their lead to 4-2.
After two scoreless frames by both clubs, LSU's Bryce Jordan homered over the left-field wall with one out in the sixth to extend the Tiger's lead to 5-2. Two at-bats later, first baseman Greg Deichmann tripled to score a runner from first. The Vols recorded an inning-ending double play, their second of the game, to hold LSU to the 6-2 advantage.
To start the bottom of the sixth, Jackson and Santiago reached base on back-to-back walks to put runners on first and second. Schultz then doubled down the left-field line, scoring Jackson and Santiago, to trim LSU's lead by two.
The Vols continued their offensive attack in the seventh, plating two more runs to tie the game. Nick Senzel (1-for-4) began the rally with a two-out walk followed by Jackson's 10th double of the season to put runners on second and third. Santiago then knocked a ball to the left-field wall for a triple, his second of the series, to even the game at 6-6.
In the top of the eighth, LSU pulled ahead using a four-run rally. The Tiger's scored the first run on an RBI-single to right field and then utilized a three-run homer by freshman Antoine Duplantis to increase their lead to 10-6.
Tennessee went on to score a run in the bottom of the inning on a single by Brodie Leftridge (1-for-5, RBI) following a walk and a wild pitch to make it a 10-7 game.
Sophomore Aaron Soto started on the mound for the Orange and White, allowing six runs (three earned) on seven hits and striking out two batters through 5.1 innings of work.
Entering the game in the sixth inning, righty Hunter Martin allowed one run on one hit and walked one batter in his 2.1 inning appearance. He was charged with the loss and now owns a 3-2 record.
Senior Andy Cox (0.1 IP) took to the mound in the eighth and allowed three runs on two hits. Daniel Vasquez came in the ninth to close for the Vols. He struck out one batter and gave up just one hit.
Senior Day
Prior to the start of the game, Tennessee Baseball honored its eight seniors, all of whom walked across the graduation stage and earned their degrees from the University of Tennessee this past week.
- Andy Cox: Sport Management
- Chris Hall: MBA - Finance
- Vincent Jackson: Sociology/Criminal Justice
- Steven Kane: Communication Studies
- Derek Lance: Kinesiology
- Jeff Moberg: Sociology/Criminal Justice
- Jared Pruett: Communication Studies
- Tyler Schultz: Communication Studies
2016 Tennessee Baseball Seniors Tribute
Vol Baseball Quick Hits
- Tennessee now holds a 22-55 all-time record against LSU, dating back to 1907.
- Nick Senzel increased his SEC-leading double count to 20 in the bottom of the first inning after hitting a ball to the right field wall.
- With their 4-6-3 double play in the seventh, Tennessee has now turned three double plays in eight games this season (last vs. Auburn on April 16).
- Benito Santiago recorded back-to-back triples against LSU.
- Sunday's attendance at Lindsey Nelson Stadium: 2,393
- On Deck for the Vols: Tennessee hosts ETSU in the final regular-season game of 2016 at Lindsey Nelson Stadium on Tuesday, May 17. The Vols then travel to Athens, Ga. to face the Georgia Bulldogs for their last SEC weekend series of the season.
For the most up-to-date information on Tennessee baseball, visit UTSports.com/Baseball and follow @Vol_Baseball on Twitter.
