The Tennessee Vols’ time in Hoover isn’t over yet. The Volunteers erased a 4-0 deficit and rallied to earn a gigantic 7-5 win over the #1 Texas Longhorns in the SEC quarterfinals. UT advances to the semifinals on Saturday and will face the winner of OU/Vanderbilt.
Liam Doyle got the start and struggled. He gave up 4 runs and 6 hits in just 3.2 innings, looking for the second week in a row nothing like the SEC Pitcher of the Year he was named last week.
Tennessee’s offense wasn’t any better early. Just one day after a 15-run outing, the Vols’ bats were completely held in check for the first four innings.
However, the switch flipped on both the mound and at the plate the rest of the way. Tennessee got 2 runs in the fifth on a Cannon Peebles shallow fly ball that fell in. Two innings later, a Dean Curley bases loaded walk and a sharp Reese Chapman fly ball to left put two more on the scoreboard.
Things would stay even at four thanks to the tremendous work by Vols reliever Brandon Arvidson. Was simply untouchable in relief, going 4.1 innings and striking out nine Longhorns.
Gavin Kilen smashed a solo home run in the top of the 10th for a 5-4 lead, but the Longhorns evened things up after a throwing error by Arvidson put a runner at third, who eventually scored to even things up again.
Nate Snead succeeded Arvidson, and he was excellent himself, keeping the Horns off the board the rest of the way (2.2 innings) with three strikeouts.
Kilen would give the Vols the winning runs in the twelfth. After a sacrifice bunt put runners at 2nd and 3rd with one out, he blasted a pitch to deep right center, which the Texas outfielder couldn’t field on a slide. The double plated two, and the Vols would go on to win 7-5.
The Vols get a day off before their semifinal matchup against the Sooners or Commodores, so the pitching staff will get some rest. In any event, the Vols should have locked up a hosting opportunity after the win. One more on Saturday would undoubtedly do the trick.