KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Jordan Beck continued to tear the cover off the ball as No. 15 Tennessee opened its series against Indiana State with a 4-3 win on Friday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
The sophomore slugger hit his team-leading third home run of the year and also drove in the game-winning run with a two-out single in the sixth inning. Beck finished the day 2-for-3 with a run and two RBI.
The tandem of Chad Dallas and Sean Hunley had another successful day on the mound. Dallas got the start and set a new career high with nine strikeouts in just five innings of work. He allowed three runs on nine hits but was able to escape some jams early on to keep the Vols (6-0) from falling behind.
Hunley took over for Dallas after a leadoff single in the sixth and did not allow anyone to reach base the rest of the way, retiring all 11 batters he faced. The Mount Juliet, Tennessee, native finished with three strikeouts and picked up the win to improve his record to 2-0 on the year.
Junior third baseman Jake Rucker had another solid day at the plate, as well, picking up two more hits while driving in a run with a single in the fourth. Drew Gilbert and Liam Spence joined Beck and Rucker as Vols with two hit-performances.
Max Wright led Indiana State (1-3) with two hits and an RBI while Diego Gines added a solo home run in the second inning.
The Vols and Sycamores are slated to play a doubleheader tomorrow afternoon with first pitch for Game 1 scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Game 2 will begin approximately 30-45 minutes following the conclusion of Game 1. Both contests will be streamed live on WatchESPN.com and the ESPN app.
NOTABLE
BECK CONTINUES TO MASH: Sophomore outfielder Jordan Beck has been UT’s breakout star early on this season. The Alabama native is batting .368 and leads the team with three homers, 10 RBI, 20 total bases and a 1.053 slugging percentage.
CHEESE SETS CAREER HIGH IN Ks: Junior right hander Chad Dallas posted another quality start despite not having his best day in Friday’s win. The Orange, Texas, native battled to work his way out of a couple of sticky situations and finished the game with a career-best nine strikeouts.
HUNLEY UNHITTABLE: Sean Hunley proved once again why he’s one of the top relievers in the SEC with his performance on Friday. The senior right hander pitched four shutout innings without allowing a single baserunner. Hunley had three strikeouts and earned the win to improve to 2-0 this season.
Box Score (PDF) | DOWNLOAD: Vitello, Beck & Hunley Postgame Video |
-UT Athletics
