ForumsTennesseee, decked in green jerseys and caps on St. Patrick’s Day for the second consecutive year, defeated Morehead State on Wednesday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium by a score of 13-2.
The Vols jumped on top early, thanks in part to big night by Zack Osborne.
With Tennessee already leading 2-0 in the first inning, the red-hot Osborne stepped to the plate and blasted a first-pitch fastball over The Porch in left field for a grand slam. It was Osborne’s third home run in his last four at-bats.
The Vol shortstop finished with three hits and only a triple shy of hitting for the cycle.
“Zach Osborne is still swinging a hot bat,” Coach Todd Raleigh said after the game. “That was good to see.”
After pitcher Rob Catapano sent the Eagles down in order, the Vols were back on the scoreboard with three more runs in the second inning. Led by a Matt Hamaker solo homer to left, Tennessee extended its lead to 10-1.
The score remained unchanged until the bottom of the sixth when the Vols scored a run on a dropped third strike to Charlie Thurber. Next, P.J. Polk’s two run double put the Vols on top 13-1.
Five Tennessee relievers combined to retire 17 batters in a row. The streak ended, however, with two out in the ninth when Andrew Deek lined a solo homer off of Matt Ramsey down the left field line, just fair. It was the only hit allowed by Tennessee’s bullpen in six innings of work.
Rob Catapano is the winning pitcher of record, earning his first win of the 2010 season. He pitched three innings, allowing only one run while striking out two batters.
“We played a pretty good game,” Todd Raleigh said after the game. “We pitched outstanding. All our guys pitched well tonight.”
Not only did Tennessee play a good game, but it also looked sharp sporting the green uniforms.
“The kids kind of like it a little bit,” Raleigh said. “We’ve had them in there so why not. Actually, the green and orange looks okay.”
Zack Osborne said the jerseys have become somewhat of a tradition.
“Actually last year we busted them out for the first time,” Osborne said. “It’s something different, something cool. We like it. It’s like tradition now I guess.”
Tennessee will now head to South Carolina this weekend to open Southeastern Conference play with a three game series against the Gamecocks.
Injury Update
Cody Hawn took the field at first base for the first time since his shoulder injury in the opening series of the season. Hawn had been Tennessee’s designated hitter.
Josh Liles did not play in the game and is still day-to-day according to Raleigh. But Liles could see action this weekend in Columbia.
Comments on this entry are closed.