Hunter Ensley smoothly glided towards the right-field area on Friday to secure a fly ball, marking the conclusion of the third inning. By that point, AJ Russell of Tennessee baseball had already notched eight strikeouts. Ensley’s catch marked the first out against Texas Tech that wasn’t achieved via a Russell strikeout.
The sophomore pitcher initiated the game with an impressive performance, complemented by exceptional relief pitching from AJ Causey, resulting in a 6-2 triumph for UT in their season opener at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Together, the Tennessee pitching duo amassed 17 strikeouts against Texas Tech (0-1) while conceding only one walk and allowing two runs on five hits.
The No. 8 ranked Tennessee (1-0) team is set to take on Oklahoma next on Saturday, with junior Drew Beam slated as the starting pitcher for the Vols.
Russell commenced the game with three consecutive outs via strikeouts in the first inning and replicated this feat in the second inning. He continued his dominance with two more strikeouts in the third, totaling six consecutive strikeouts.
In his 4⅓ innings pitched, Russell recorded a remarkable 10 strikeouts, alongside one walk and three hits allowed. His time on the mound concluded in the fifth inning after issuing a walk and consecutive singles. Russell threw a total of 73 pitches, 53 of which were strikes.
Coach Vitello strategically positioned transfers Cannon Peebles and Billy Amick in the fourth and fifth spots in the lineup, respectively. Both players delivered, showcasing their offensive prowess, which had earned them recognition in the transfer portal.
Peebles hammered a single in the fourth inning, while Amick blasted a home run off the right-field foul pole. Additionally, Amick smashed a single past Texas Tech shortstop TJ Pompey.
UT added three more runs in the eighth inning after loading the bases. Bradke Lohry drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, Dylan Dreiling scored on a wild pitch, and Hunter Ensley contributed with an RBI single, bringing in Kavares Tears.
Vitello called upon Causey from the bullpen to continue the strong pitching performance initiated by Russell. The transfer from Jacksonville State surrendered a two-run double on a two-out, two-strike pitch to Pompey.
Causey tallied seven strikeouts in 4⅔ innings, allowing only two hits while facing the minimum 12 batters in the final four innings
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