KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee starter Garrett Stallings threw six strong innings, but the Volunteers could not muster any runs in Game Two of this week’s series against Arkansas, falling to the Razorbacks, 2-0, on Saturday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Tennessee and Arkansas split the series, which was reduced to two games due to rain over the previous days. The Vols enjoyed a 5-4 win over the Razorbacks in Game One, which started on Thursday, but was completed at midday on Saturday.
With the loss, Tennessee moves to 24-19 (7-15 SEC) on the season, while No. 14 Arkansas improves to 35-13 (14-9 SEC).
Luc Lipcius’ single to left field in the second inning was the Vols’ lone hit of the game. He moved into scoring position on a passed ball, but Arkansas starter Trevor Stephan induced a pair of foulouts to leave him stranded.
Tennessee’s Jordan Rodgers reached base in the fourth inning after an error by Arkansas’ third baseman Jared Gates. The senior was unable to score after Stephan induced a Luc Lipcius flyout to center and sent Andre Lipcius down swinging for his eighth strikeout.
Matt Waldren reached base twice. He was hit by a pitch in the fifth and drew a walk in the seventh. Waldren has now reached base in each of his past eight games played, which is his longest streak this season.
Both teams held each other scoreless until the top of the fifth inning, when Arkansas’ Dominic Fletcher hit a one-out home run to right field to give the Razorbacks the lead. This marked Fletcher’s second homer of the series.
Arkansas right-handed pitcher Trevor Stephan (5-3) racked up 11 strikeouts and limited Tennessee to just one hit over seven scoreless frames.
Stallings (3-2) had a strong start, striking out three of his first five batters faced, but allowed six hits and two runs over the remainder of his six innings pitched.
Left-handed pitcher Zach Warren came in for relief in the top of the seventh frame, striking out three of the five batters that he faced.
TENNESSEE QUICK HITS
- With the loss, Tennessee moves to a 33-27 all-time record against Arkansas, including a 14-13 mark in games played in Knoxville.
- On Deck for the Vols: Tennessee plays back-to-back midweek contests next week, hosting Belmont on Tuesday, May 9 before traveling to Eastern Kentucky on Wednesday, May 10. The Vols then continue on to Lexington for a three-game set visiting SEC opponent Kentucky Wildcats (Friday, May 12 – Sunday, May 14).
- Saturday’s doubleheader attendance at Lindsey Nelson Stadium: 1,598
-UT Athletics
