Tennessee lost to Kentucky 12-2 in the second game of their conference series on May 2 at Kentucky Proud Park.
The Volunteers struggled offensively, managing only four hits and striking out eleven times. Their pitching staff also had difficulties, giving up twelve hits and four walks during the game.
Evan Blanco started for Tennessee and pitched two scoreless innings at first, including two strikeouts. However, Kentucky took control in the third inning with a solo home run followed by a two-run homer, giving them an early lead. The Wildcats extended their advantage with another home run from Hudson Brown in the fourth inning.
Tennessee got on the scoreboard in the fifth when Trent Grindlinger hit a double and was driven home by Reese Chapman’s double. In the sixth inning, Blaine Brown hit his thirteenth home run of the season to cut Kentucky’s lead to two runs. Despite getting Garrett Wright into scoring position with no outs later that inning, Tennessee could not capitalize as three straight batters were retired.
Kentucky responded strongly in their half of the sixth by scoring three runs after loading the bases. They added four more runs in the seventh before ending the game early with a single from Luke Lawrence that put them ahead by ten runs.
The Volunteers will try to avoid being swept as they close out their weekend series against Kentucky on Sunday.
