Tennessee’s pitching staff unraveled Thursday night, issuing a steady stream of free passes that fueled Alabama’s 12-8 victory.
The Volunteers’ offense produced throughout, highlighted by two home runs from Garrett Wright and a two-run shot from Henry Ford. But inconsistent command on the mound proved too much to overcome. Tennessee pitchers struggled to throw strikes, walking multiple hitters, hitting batters, and allowing Alabama to score key runs without putting the ball in play, including a three-run seventh inning without a hit.
“I think he was sped up today,” Tennessee coach Josh Elander said. “With the weird balk that happened and just the command was not good today … just a really weird deal. You want some consistency [from the Friday starter].”
Alabama seized control in the middle innings. Eric Hines delivered the biggest blow in the sixth, launching a three-run home run down the left-field line to extend the lead to five. The Crimson Tide added further separation in the seventh, taking advantage of walks and hit batters to push across three runs without recording a hit.
“It was just really frustrating to watch,” Elander said. “We talk about those guys all the time. We just wanted to compete over the plate. I’d rather see four guys hit four home runs in a row than watch what we did.”
Garrett Wright provided the early spark for Tennessee, hitting solo home runs in the first and second innings to keep the Volunteers within striking distance.
“I’m just sticking to the approach I’ve had my whole life,” Wright said. “Not changing per pitcher … sticking to one approach that works for you, that’ll play over the course of 86 [games].”
Tennessee grabbed an early lead in the first inning when Wright tied the game with a leadoff home run before Henry Ford doubled and later scored on Blake Grimmer’s ground ball through the infield.
Alabama answered quickly and continued to apply pressure. After tying the game in the second on a balk, the Crimson Tide broke through in the third. Peyton Steele ripped a three-run double off the top of the wall in center field after Tennessee starter Landon Mack exited with the bases loaded.
Mack, who started on the mound, struggled with command throughout his outing, walking multiple hitters and hitting another before being lifted in the third inning.
Cam Appenzeller was unable to fully stop the momentum in relief, allowing additional runs, including an RBI double by Bryce Fowler, his second of the game.
Alabama starter Tyler Fay settled in after a rocky first two innings. He allowed four runs on six hits over five innings while striking out six, keeping Tennessee from mounting a sustained comeback.
“I think some of [Appenzeller’s] tempo stuff … he just needs to slow down a little bit at times,” Elander said.
With Fay out of the game, Tennessee made another push in the sixth. Levi Clark drew a walk before Ford hit a two-run home run off the batter’s eye in center field to cut into the deficit.
The Volunteers again chipped away in the seventh. Stone Lawless walked, Blaine Brown doubled and Manny Marin delivered a two-run single to trim the lead to 12-8, but Tennessee could not get any closer.
Brayden Krenzel provided a brief bright spot out of the bullpen, working around a walk to end the sixth inning.
“It’s good to see Krenzel work around the walk and get back in the strike zone,” Elander said. “That was a good response by him.”
Nic Abraham later delivered Tennessee’s only clean inning, retiring the side in order in the eighth to momentarily halt Alabama’s momentum.
Alabama threatened again in the ninth, but Sawyer Deering entered and induced a ground ball that Manny Marin turned into an out at the plate before recording the final out of the inning.
Tennessee was unable to rally in the bottom half, ending the nearly four-hour game.
Tennessee and Alabama will play a doubleheader Friday beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET to decide the series.
