Game Recap: Baseball | February 25, 2024
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 7/9 Tennessee capped an undefeated week with a complete performance in Sunday’s 12-0 run-rule victory over UAlbany to complete the series sweep at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
For the second time this week, UT’s pitching staff allowed just a single hit. The Vols (7-1) used five different pitchers on the day to post their second shutout of the season.
Zander Sechrist got Tennessee off to a great start with three strikeouts in two scoreless innings before handing the ball off to sophomore right hander Nate Snead, who also struck out three in 2.2 shutout hitless innings to earn his second win of the year.
Kirby Connell, Andrew Behnke and Derek Schaefer combined to pitch the final 2.1 innings to preserve the shutout. UT’s relief pitchers retired the first 13 batters they faced and 15 of 16 overall in the game.
The Vols jumped out to an early lead with three runs in the bottom of the first and cruised from there.
The duo of Robin Villeneuve and Dalton Bargo led the offense with two hits each and five combined RBIs. Villeneuve homered for the second straight game and also scored a pair of runs while finishing with three RBIs.
Christian Moore reached base three times, scored twice and drove in a run from the leadoff spot to continue his torrid start to the year. Kavares Tears also had another productive performance with an RBI single in the third inning and two runs scored.
Third baseman Will Binder was the only player to reach base on the day for the Great Danes (0-3), recording a single and drawing a walk. Starting pitch Thomas Quinn got the start and the loss after allowing four runs on two hits and four walks in 2.2 innings of work.
UP NEXT: The Vols will play four more home games next week, starting with a Tuesday midweek matchup against High Point before hosting Bowling Green for a weekend series from Friday-Sunday.
STAT OF THE DAY: Tennessee has swept 12 of its 14 non-conference weekend home series since 2020 and has not lost a non-conference weekend home series since dropping two of three to Wright State on March 6-8, 2020.
