On Monday, the Tennessee Volunteers put a full arsenal on display en route to an 11-5 victory over Wake Forest to win the Knoxville Regional. The Volunteers attacked the Demon Deacons in a variety of ways, but it all started with unlikely sources and ended with absolute security.
Tennessee’s Unconventional Start
The Vols had three runs on two hits, and just grabbed the lead over Wake. The two hits were a product of a Manny Marin bunt single and a Reese Chapman swinging bunt. The runs came from Gavin Kilen grounding into a double play, a passed ball and the Chapman single.
Wake Forest escaped the third inning trailing 3-2 after the Kilen out on the arm of Zach Johnston, who came in relief of starter Griffin Green. Johnston exited the inning by striking out Andrew Fischer. The Demon Deacons limited the damage and generated weak contact during the first run through the Tennessee lineup.
But a seven-run fourth inning, kick-started by Chapman’s slow-hopper through the right side of the infield, was punctuated with home runs by Marin and Fischer.
The three-run shot by Marin was just his third of the season and first since March 8 against St. Bonaventure. Fischer’s was his 24th, which leads the Southeastern Conference. The homer by Fischer put the Vols up 8-2 and provided some cushion for the pitching staff.
According to Fischer, it was the synergy that he had with the freshman, Marin, that ignited the seven-run sequence. Fischer credited the look he gave the freshman as Marin stepped to the plate.
“When he looked at me, he just kind of nodded and I was like, ‘Let’s go. Let’s do this,'” said Fischer. “Then, he just got it done and I just lost my mind. I think from that moment when he hit the ball to, I think, Dyan Loy’s first out recorded, I just blacked out. I don’t remember any of it.”
Tennessee utilized another freshman in Brayden Krenzel, along with Loy in relief of starter AJ Russell. Krenzel and Loy combined for 3 2/3 innings while allowing three runs. Russell made his second appearance of the tournament, tossing 38 pitches across 1 2/3 innings. He struck out three and didn’t allow a walk. Russell gave up a two-run homer to wake’s Matt Conte in the second frame.
How Tennessee Ended Wake Forest
Tennessee ultimately used four arms out of the bullpen, with two being the most electric weapons the Vols possess. Tanner Franklin entered during the sixth and worked an inning, posting triple-digits on the stadium gun multiple times. The product of Jefferson City, Tennessee, recorded three strikeouts through six batters.
Franklin then handed the ball to SEC Pitcher of the Year, Liam Doyle, with a three-run lead. The right-hander threw 104 pitches in Tennessee’s first game of the Regional on Friday. He allowed one run and struck out 11 Miami (OH) batters. On Monday, Doyle sealed the Vols’ fate of making a fifth straight Super Regional appearance. The lefty record seven outs, while striking out five Wake Forest batters. He didn’t allow a hit or walk in the 31-pitch performance.
Tennessee coach Tony Vitello credited the atmosphere while also commending the execution from his players in different facets of the game.
“I don’t know if the numbers were bigger because it was a Monday, but the energy was insane,” Vitello said. “Our guys’ response to being down was equally insane. The biggest thing was guys doing things they struggled throughout the year doing well, one through nine. And then (we have) our guys that are just willing to take the ball. It is a weird deal on this staff to have that many guys that want the ball, no matter what day it is or what the circumstances are.”
Knoxville Regional All-Tournament Team
Below is the list of members of the All-Tournament Team from the Knoxville Regional.
C: Matt Conte, Wake Forest
1B: Andrew Fischer, Tennessee
2B: Dean Curley, Tennessee
SS: Marek Houston, Wake Forest
3B: Kerrington Cross, Cincinnati and Manny Marin, Tennessee (tied)
OF: Matt Scannell, Wake Forest
OF: Javar Williams, Wake Forest
OF: Donovan Ford, Cincinnati
DH: Dalton Wentz, Wake Forest
P: Liam Doyle, Tennessee
P: Matthew Dallas, Wake Forest
MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER: Liam Doyle, Tennessee
