Tennessee secured a 3-1 win over Virginia Tech at the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series held at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The Volunteers’ pitching staff limited the Hokies to one run on three hits and recorded 11 strikeouts during the game.
Both teams were hitless through two innings. Tennessee broke through in the third when Ariel Antigua reached base with an infield single, followed by a walk from Jay Abernathy. Henry Ford then delivered an RBI single, bringing Antigua home for a 1-0 lead.
Virginia Tech responded in the fourth inning with a leadoff home run by Nick Locurto, tying the score at one.
After avoiding trouble in the sixth inning, Tennessee regained control in the bottom half of that frame. Blaine Brown and Levi Clark hit consecutive RBI doubles to put the Volunteers back ahead.
Starting pitcher Evan Blanco allowed just one run on two hits and a walk over 5.1 innings while striking out six batters but did not factor into the decision. Mark Hindy earned his first win for Tennessee after entering with two runners on base and recording two outs to end a Hokies threat in the sixth inning. “With two on and one out, the Duke transfer struck out Trey Hughes before getting Hudson Lutterman to pop up to end the inning.”
Brayden Krenzel pitched the final three innings for Tennessee, allowing only one hit and one walk while striking out four batters to secure his first save.
Tennessee will return home next week for five games at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, starting with midweek matchups against ETSU and Oakland before hosting Wright State for a weekend series beginning Friday at 6:30 p.m.
