KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 1/2 Tennessee capped another series sweep with a decisive 13-2 run-rule victory over St. Bonaventure on Sunday afternoon at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
With the win, the Volunteers set a program record for consecutive victories to start a season with 16, surpassing the 2019 team’s 15-0 start.
UT hit five more home runs on the day, including a pair from redshirt-freshman catcher Stone Lawless, who finished with a career-high four RBIs. Lawless’ second long ball was a walk-off, two-run shot into the porches in the bottom of the seventh.
Tennessee used nine pitchers who combined to strike out 13 in the game, led by three apiece from Brandon Arvidson and Ryan Combs.
Freshmen Continue to Shine
It was another big day for Tennessee’s impressive freshman class as it continues to prove why it was rated among the nation’s best entering the year.
Levi Clark added to his team lead in RBIs with a two-run homer to the opposite field in the third inning while Chris Newstrom hit his first-career dinger later in the game, blasting a three-run shot off the batter’s eye in the sixth inning.
Jay Abernathy also had a solid day at the plate after getting the start in center field, going 2-for-3 with two runs, an RBI and a stolen base. Manny Marin added a hit and a run scored, as well.
Tegan Kuhns picked up the win after striking out two batters over 1.1 innings of relief, allowing one unearned run on two hits in his outing.
Another Weekend, Another Sweep
The Vols continued their non-conference dominance with their 14th consecutive regular-season series sweep against a non-league foe. UT has swept 17 of their 19 non-conference weekend series in the regular season since 2020.
Up Next
Tennessee continues its 10-game homestand with a midweek contest against West Georgia on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. before opening SEC play against No. 6/7 Florida next Friday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
