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Tennessee baseball's pitching has masterclass performance in North Carolina win

By Colton Pickard

Jun 16, 2024; Omaha, NE, USA; Tennessee Volunteers starting pitcher Drew Beam (32) throws against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first inning at Charles Schwab Field Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 16, 2024; Omaha, NE, USA; Tennessee Volunteers starting pitcher Drew Beam (32) throws against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first inning at Charles Schwab Field Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports / Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
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Hits were sparse throughout Sunday night. Tennessee baseball beat North Carolina 6-1 and the Vols pitching staff delivered an elite performance. Each team's pitching started the game hot, not allowing the game’s first hit until the fourth inning. 

North Carolina got its first hit but couldn’t do anything with it, while Tennessee responded with its first hit in the bottom half of the fourth. Blake Burke opened the inning with a single, and Kavares Tears hit a three-run home run a few batters later. 

Drew Beam finally had a lead and could pitch more relaxed and he did just that in the fifth. He pitched one of the most efficient games I’ve seen in college baseball through five innings, throwing only 61 pitches. 

The Vols bats added another run to make it 4-0 in the bottom of the fifth, thanks to a Chapman home run. The bottom half of the inning lasted over 30 minutes due to the home plate umpire being injured and replaced. That sent Beam back to the mound cold, and they immediately faced UNC’s hottest hitter. 

Beam’s night would be done after giving up a home run and back-to-back singles to start the inning. Kirby Connell came in relief and shut down the Tar Heel offense. Ground out, pick off the runner at first, and strikeout ended any momentum UNC had, and Tennessee’s favorite mustache got the Vols to the sixth inning. 

The sixth inning was UNC’s best opportunity to drive in runs because the Vols bullpen combination of Connell and Nate Snead shut down the Tar Heels. Tennessee's pitching allowed one hit in the final three innings and buried UNC’s bats. 

Outside of the unforeseen circumstances that left Beam on the bench for over 30 minutes in the sixth inning, UNC collected two hits in the other eight innings. Thanks to the pitching staff, the Vols bats didn’t have to stress about a late-game comeback and cruised to a 6-1 victory. 

Tennessee is ready to face the winner of UNC and Florida State’s elimination game. You can watch that game on Tuesday at 2:00 PM ET and see who the Vols will play on Wednesday at 2:00 PM ET for a spot in the College World Series Finals. 

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