Vols Fall to Blue Raiders in 10 Innings

In the bottom of the ninth, with runners on second and third and two outs, the Vols were down 4-2 and down to their last out. Zach Luther hit a slow ground ball to MTSU shortstop Ryan Ford who fielded it and made the throw to first. The throw went wide, but first baseman Ethan Williams made the catch and put the tag onto Luther to end the ball game. Except the ball popped free. Jake Rowland and Jared Allen scored, the game was tied, and Tennessee looked to have the momentum to win the game.

The Vols gave up a run in the top side of the 10th and then couldn’t reply.

Tennessee (7-1) lost by a final score of 5-4 to MTSU (5-3)Tuesday night’s game at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. The loss was Tennessee’s first on the season dropping them to 7-1. MTSU improved to 5-3 on the year.

“We knew this was a game where we were going to have to come out and play our best game of the year and we didn’t,” said Dave Serano.

Tennessee looked to be in the driver’s seat for much of the game, getting an early 2-0 lead and holding it through most of the game. The breakdown came in the 6th inning when the Volunteer Bullpen surrendered 3 runs and the lead.

Starter Carter Watson turned in 4 solid frames with only two hits before handing the game to the bullpen in the 5th.

Nick Williams (1-1) was given the loss for giving up a run in the 10th. MTSU was able to score after the lead off hitter, Johnny Thomas doubled to the gap, advanced on a bunt, and was driven in by Ryan Stevens.

Daniel Palo got the save for the Blue Raiders, striking out the side in the bottom of the 11th.

“I saw 30-plus guys in that locker room that were stinging a little bit,” Serrano said. “I told them that was a good thing because losing will never be accepted in this program. I don’t care who it is against, I want losing to hurt. I want them to hate losing more than they like winning and I felt that today.”

The Vols travel to Houston, TX this weekend for the Houston College Classic in Minute Maid Park and play Texas, Houston and No 4 Rice.