KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – A two-homer night from Billy Amick and an impressive effort from the bullpen paced No. 3/3 Tennessee to a 12-4 victory over Western Carolina on Tuesday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Amick had a career night for the Vols, going 3-for-5 while driving in seven of the team’s 12 runs, setting a new career high in RBIs. The South Carolina native also tied a career best with three runs scored.
Kavares Tears drove in three runs of his own and homered for the second straight game with a three-run blast in UT’s six-run fifth inning. Colby Backus also went yard for the Big Orange, hitting a solo shot to open the fifth inning and tie the game at four after the Catamounts (21-17, 6-6 SoCon) plated four runs to take a one-run lead in the top of the fourth.
Blake Burke finished with two runs and a pair of singles to extend his nation-leading hitting streak to 31 consecutive games while Reese Chapman also had a multi-hit night for the Vols.
Dylan Loy got the start on the mound and allowed just one hit but gave up three runs after walking two batters in three innings of work. UT’s bullpen was able to pick him up, however, as the foursome of Andrew Behnke, Marcus Phillips, Matthew Dallas and JJ Garcia combined to pitch six shutout innings, allowing just two hits while striking out eight batters.
Nate Stocum had two of Western Carolina’s three hits and also scored a run. Catamounts’ starting pitcher Spenser Hamblen fell to 2-4 on the year after giving up seven runs on six hits in four innings pitched.
Tuesday’s win kept the Vols unbeaten streak in midweek games intact, as they improved to 11-0 in such contests this season.
STAT OF THE GAME: With 12 runs in Tuesday’s victory, Tennessee has now scored double-digit runs in each of his last six midweek games.
UP NEXT: UT (34-7, 12-6 SEC) has a quick turnaround with just one day off before beginning its home series against Missouri on Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. on the SEC Network.
