KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — No. 21 Tennessee remained undefeated in midweek contests after grabbing an 8-4 win over UNC Asheville Tuesday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
The Vols (16-1) were powered by back-to-back home runs from junior Andre Lipcius and sophomore Alerick Soularie in the fifth the push past the Bulldogs (5-10).
After entering the game in the top of the fifth inning, freshman Camden Sewell had 3.0 strong innings of work to get his second win in his collegiate career. Sewell struck out four batters while allowing just one run on two hits in his sixth outing this season.
Sewell got some added run support in the seventh when junior Jay Charleston walked to lead off the inning. Two batters later, Charleston stole his SEC-leading 13th base of the season to put him in scoring position while one pitch later advancing to third on a fly out to left field.
With Charleston on third, sophomore Evan Russell smashed a line drive to left center that just got past the Bulldogs’ centerfielder, two-hopping the wall while scoring Charleston to make it 6-4 in favor of the Vols.
In the bottom of the eighth, Tennessee would add two more insurance runs as a sac bunt by freshman Jake Rucker was thrown into right field by the UNC Asheville pitcher, scoring junior Ricky Martinez and freshman Max Ferguson.
Senior Richard Jackson closed out the game in the ninth, fanning a pair of Bulldogs’ batters to secure the 8-4 victory.
NOTABLE
26 STRAIGHT GAMES ON BASE FOR AMMONS: Junior Justin Ammons extended his streak of getting on base to 26 games with a walk to lead of the game. Ammons has reached base at least once in all 17 games this season. The streak, which dates back to May 1, 2018 includes the final nine games of last season. The Memphis native finished the game 0-for-1 with two walks and a run scored.
MIDDLE OF THE ORDER POWER: Lipcius and Soularie’s back-to-back jacks in the fifth inning gave the middle of the order duo five home runs each this season.
Both players are on pace to pass their power production from last season as Lipcius had seven home runs for Tennessee last year. Soularie homered 10 times at San Jacinto C.C. before transferring to Rocky Top this season.
UP NEXT: The Vols are back home tomorrow for the second game against UNC Asheville. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. on Wednesday night. The game will be streamed live online via SEC Network+ and the WatchESPN app.
No. 21 Tennessee Powers Past UNC Asheville, 8-4
