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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 1/2 Tennessee will enter conference play unbeaten after a scrappy 4-2 win over West Georgia on Tuesday evening at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
The Volunteers improved to 17-0 with Tuesday’s victory over the Wolves, marking the first time in the modern era that they’ll start SEC play with an undefeated record.
Andrew Fischer got the Big Orange on the board early with a two-run homer into the porches in the bottom of the first inning. It was Fischer’s sixth long ball in his last seven games as he continued his hot streak at the plate heading into league play. The Manasquan, New Jersey, native added his third RBI of the day with a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning to provide a little more insurance.
Chris Newstrom drove in the only other run of the game for UT, roping a two-out single into left field to score Reese Chapman in the fifth inning.
West Georgia (8-7) scored a run on an RBI groundout in the third to cut its deficit to one and tacked on another in the eighth to make it a two-run game heading into the final frame.
Crabtree Calms the Waters
After a bit of a choppy start, sophomore righthander Thomas Crabtree was able to calm things down with 3.1 strong innings of relief to earn his first-career win. The Collierville, Tennessee, native set down the first 10 batters he faced before giving up his only hit of the day and finished with three strikeouts.
Combs Picks Up First Save
Fellow righty reliever Ryan Combs picked up his first-career save, retiring both batters he faced in the ninth inning. The Florida native has been a reliable option for the Vols out of the bullpen this season with a 2.84 ERA and 12 strikeouts in six appearances.
Up Next
Tennessee opens SEC play with a top-10 matchup against No. 6/7 Florida this weekend in Knoxville. Friday’s series opener is scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. start and can be streamed on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app.
Saturday’s contest is slated to be televised on the SEC Network at 6 p.m. and Sunday’s finale is set to begin at 1 p.m. on SEC Network+.
