Eight-run innings are always welcome, especially for teams that could use a nice bounce back.
After getting swept by Texas A&M in Saturday’s doubleheader by the combined score of 26-9, Tennessee got back to its winning ways Tuesday night with a 10-2 downing of Alabama State at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. A scoreless contest through three innings became an 8-0 lead after four, as the No. 4 Volunteers improved to 29-4 heading into this weekend’s Southeastern Conference series at No. 7 Ole Miss.
“I think everybody kind of took a deep breath and took a step back on Sunday and showed up Monday ready to go,” Tennessee junior pitcher AJ Russell said. “There was a good vibe yesterday, and I thought today was good.”
The Hornets, who compete in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, fell to 16-18.
Reese Chapman got Tennessee’s fourth-inning outburst going with a home run to right field, and Chris Newstrom followed with a homer to left. Dean Curley doubled the advantage to 4-0 with a two-run homer to left-center, with the Vols adding their next two runs when Blake Grimmer scored on a wild pitch and on a Levi Clark sacrifice.