Vols Sweep Series with Doubleheader Wins

Game 1 Box Score

Game 2 Box Score

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — After weather cancelled game two of the three-game series between the Eastern Michigan University and University of Tennessee, the two teams squared off in a double dip today at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. UT took both games, sweeping the series with an 8-7 win in 10 innings in game one, and a 5-1 win in game two.

Leading the Eagles on the day was Steve Bradshaw (Lapeer, Mich.-West), going 6-for-8 on the day with 2 RBI. With the losses today, EMU falls to 0-13 on the year while Tennessee improves to 7-4. Junior Sean Hoffman (Midland, Mich.-Midland) went six innings, giving up five earned runs while striking out five in the no decision.

UT got on the board early in the bottom of the first when Cody Brown drew a bases loaded RBI walk. Josh Liles’ groundout to second allowed P.J. Polk to plate the second UT run of the inning. Kentrail Davis scored on a wild pitch by Hoffman, closing out the scoring for the Vols in the bottom of the first.

Eastern answered in the top half of the second, scoring two runs to cut the deficit to one at 3-2. Jeff Davis (Avondale, Ariz.-Westview) doubled down the left field line to lead off the inning. One batter later, Zack Leonard (Canton, Ohio-McKinley) sent a shot over the left field wall to put EMU back in the game.

The Vols battled back in the bottom of the second, putting two on the board to increase their lead to 5-2. Brown ripped a single up the middle, scoring Cody Grisham. On the same play, a throwing error on Bradshaw allowed Davis to score as well.

The Eagles kept the bats going in the third, plating three runs to knot the game at 5-5. Bradshaw singled up the middle and advanced to third after a Davis double to right center. Aaron Powell (Clarkston, Mich.-Clarkston) doubled to right, knocking in Davis and Bradshaw. Leonard rounded out the scoring, singling to right to drive in Powell.

Tennessee regained the lead, 6-5, in the bottom of the fourth off Davis’ solo home run to right field.

The offense settled down as both teams went scoreless over the next four innings. Heading into the ninth down one, EMU rallied to plate two runs, taking a 7-6 lead. Aaron Crooks (Toledo, Ohio-Ottawa Hills) scored on a Jim Gulliver (Allen Park, Mich.-Allen Park) fielder’s choice. Mike Boyd (Huntington Woods, Mich.-Berkley) was driven in on Bradshaw’s third hit of the game, a single to left.

After pinch running Alan Wright for Jeff Lockwood, Shawn Griffin doubled to center field, driving in Wright to knot the game at seven all. Junior Matt Shoemaker (Trenton, Mich.-Trenton) was able to get Andy Simunic to fly out to end the inning.

After a scoreless EMU tenth inning, Shoemaker (0-2) struck out the first two batters in the bottom half of the inning. Brown singled through the left side and was driven in by Wright’s single to left center, giving UT the 8-7 win.

The Eagles and Vols traded runs in the first inning. Bradshaw singled to left, scoring Leonard, who had walked earlier, to give EMU the 1-0 lead. In the bottom half of the inning, Davis grounded out, driving in Simunic.

The Vols added three in the fifth and another in the sixth to go up 5-1. The Green and White rally in the top of the seventh fell short, giving UT the 5-1 win and the series sweep.

The Eagles will be in action again, Tuesday, March 11, as they travel to Lexington, Kentucky for a double-dip against the Wildcats. Game one is slated for a 1 pm. start.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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