Tennessee opened its run to the 2024 national championship with a comfortable 9-3 victory over Northern Kentucky in an NCAA Regional housed at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Tuesday night’s rematch in the same location wasn’t as easy.
The No. 6 Volunteers overcame a rough second inning on the mound and rallied for a 7-5 triumph over the Norse before a crowd of 5,412. Tennessee improved to 36-9 heading into a weekend series at home against No. 11 Auburn, while Northern Kentucky fell to 24-19.
“It was important for us to right the ship tonight,” Tennessee coach Tony Vitello said afterward.
The Vols tied the game at 4-4 in the fifth inning when Gavin Kilen opened with a double to center field and Dean Curley followed with an RBI double to left. They took a 5-4 lead moments later when Hunter Ensley’s sacrifice fly scored Curley, who had stolen third.