KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 1/1 Tennessee started fast with five runs in the first inning and cruised to a 10-0 victory on Senior Day in Tuesday’s midweek affair against Belmont at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
The Volunteers’ pitching staff was dominant, holding the Bruins to four hits while issuing just two walks en route to recording their fourth shutout of the year.
Freshman lefthander Dylan Loy got things rolling with 2.2 scoreless innings in his fifth start of the season, striking out a pair before handing the ball off to the bullpen, which allowed just two hits over the next 4.1 innings.
Christian Moore hit his 24th homer of the year, going back-to-back with Colby Backus to lead off the sixth inning. The solo blast tied UT’s single-season program record for home runs, pulling him even with Sonny Cortez, who also hit 24 in 1998.
Reese Chapman also went yard in the Vols’ three-run sixth inning, hitting his fifth long ball of the season to cap the scoring on the night.
Backus and Billy Amick led the team with two hits apiece while eight different players recorded a base knock for the game. Hunter Ensley scored two runs and had a game-high three RBIs after hitting a bases-clearing double in UT’s five-run first inning.
JJ Garcia earned the win to improve to 3-0 on the year after tossing 1.1 innings of scoreless relief. Freshman lefty Matthew Dallas also looked impressive out of the pen, striking out the side in the top of the fifth during his lone inning of work. Sophomore righthander Marcus Phillips followed by retiring the side in order and posting two strikeouts in the top of the sixth.
Leadoff man Sam Slaughter led Belmont (24-28) offensively with a pair of singles. Starter Jordan Zuger got the loss for the Bruins after giving up five runs on five hits in just two innings pitched.
STAT OF THE GAME: With the victory, Tennessee finished the year with a 13-1 record in midweek games and outscored its opponents, 155-40.
UP NEXT: The Vols (43-10, 19-8 SEC) close out the regular season with a three-game set against No. 23/24 South Carolina this Thursday through Saturday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Games one and two are slated to begin at 6:30 p.m. while first pitch for Saturday’s finale is set for 1 p.m. All three contests will be streamed on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app.
