KNOXVILLE – A long fly ball off the bat of Tennessee’s Andrew Toles found the only resistance in Lindsey Nelson Stadium on Sunday afternoon, running into a strong wind blowing its direction and knocking it down just before clearing the wall. Instead of a lead, the Vols were out of chances in the sixth inning and on the way to a 5-3 loss to Georgia in a game they dearly needed in the chase for a postseason berth.
“I thought it had a chance,” UT coach Todd Raleigh said. “I didn’t think it was definitely out, but when it left his bat I thought it was going to leave. In that fraction of time, you remember all the wind and that stuff, you think maybe not. At least I thought it was going to go over his head because they were playing him pretty shallow. … That’s the way it goes.”
The Vols had numerous chances this series to get back on the right course for a trip to the SEC tournament, but like the sixth-inning shot from Toles, they repeatedly came up short.
UT out-hit Georgia, played better defense and gave itself extra opportunities thanks to a solid effort from the bullpen. But the Vols didn’t get bunts down, line drives found gloves, too many runners were stranded – and, perhaps most damaging, a potential homer was hauled in by Bulldogs right fielder Peter Verdin with his back against the wall.
Kyle Farmer led the attack for Georgia, going 2-for-3 with a home run and four RBIs.
Chase Hawkins picked up the win with 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.
• Vanderbilt 10, LSU 7
At Nashville, the Commodores scored six runs in the third inning and pounded out 20 hits to complete the weekend sweep.
Anthony Gomez led the offensive attack, going 4-for-6 with three RBIs. Conrad Gregor had a home run and four hits, and Jack Lupo was 4-for-4 and scored three runs.
Taylor Hill pitched five innings and allowed three runs on six hits to pick up the win.
• South Carolina 13, Mississippi State 4
At Starkville, Miss., Christian Walker and Brady Thomas each had four RBIs to lead the Gamecocks to an easy win over the Bulldogs.
Walker finished 4-for-4 at the plate and Jake Williams was 4-for-6 with a pair of RBIs.
Ryan Collins led Mississippi State, going 3-for-4 with an RBI.
• Florida 2, Alabama 1
At Gainesville, Fla., shortstop Nolan Fantana was 3-for-4 and knocked in both runs for the Gators.
Karsten Whitson picked up the win, going 6 2/3 innings and allowing a run on three hits, and Nick Mardone got the final two outs to record his second save of the year.
The Crimson Tide was led by Austin Smith, who went 2-for-4, and Brett Booth knocked in the only run for Alabama.