The Official Website of the Southeastern Conference
The Official Website of the Southeastern Conference

Tennessee salvages series in 14 innings

2414 days ago
Tennessee Athletics

COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Gridlocked at a 3-3 tie entering the 14th inning with Texas A&M on Sunday, an RBI single and bases loaded walk gave the Vols a 5-3 lead they would not relinquish in their series finale at Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park.

The Aggies fought back in the bottom of the 14th, putting two runners on base, but a called third strike from reliever Andrew Schultz secured Tennessee's win.

With the victory, Tennessee now stands at 20-17, 5-13 SEC while Texas A&M moves to 28-13, 10-8 SEC on the year.

Jeff Moberg (2-for-5), Luc Lipcius (2-for-6, RBI) and Jordan Rodgers (2-for-7, 2 RBI) led UT's lineup on Sunday. Tennessee's offense combined for three doubles in the finale at Texas A&M, its most since March 28 vs. Tennessee Tech (W, 6-0).

The Aggies struck first on Sunday, using a bases-loaded situation to bring two runs across in the second inning.

Back-to-back doubles by freshmen Andre Lipcius and Pete Derkay made it a 2-1 ballgame in the fourth, giving Lipcius a share of the team lead with his ninth double on the year.

A two-out rally extended Texas A&M's lead to 3-1 in the fifth, with help from a Tennessee error and an RBI single by Braden Shewmake.

UT reliever Zach Linginfelter came through for the Vols in the seventh, entering the game with bases loaded and no outs. He made a fielder's choice out at the plate before firing back-to-back strikeouts to end the Aggies' threat and hold the score at 3-1.

With Moberg and Matt Waldren in scoring position in the eighth, an RBI double by Rodgers tied things up at 3-3.

In the top of the 14th, Luc Lipcius delivered the go-ahead single through the left side, scoring Waldren from second. A base-loaded walk by Derkay would bring one more across to give UT a 5-3 lead.

Junior Zach Warren threw 6.0 innings in his 12th appearance (ninth start) of the year, surrendering three runs (one earned) on seven hits with four strikeouts.

Linginfelter went 7.0 scoreless innings in relief, fanning a career-high eight batters while allowing just three hits for the win.

Andrew Schultz finished the game in the bottom of the 14th, picking up the save with 1.0 scoreless inning and one strikeout.

TENNESSEE QUICK HITS

  • With the win, Tennessee moves to 2-8 in its all-time series against Texas A&M, including a 1-2 mark in College Station. 
  • RODGER(S) THAT:  With his two-run double in the eighth, Jordan Rodgers has now reached base in each of his 36 games started this season.
  • With a 2-for-7, 2-RBI effort in Game Three at Texas A&M, Rodgers now owns an 11-game hitting streak. The Volunteers are now 5-1 in extra-inning contests this season, including 4-0 in their last four extra-inning games.

On Deck for the Vols: The Volunteers return to Tennessee and take on ETSU in the Smoky Mountain Challenge, a single-game matchup slated for 6 p.m. ET at Smokies Stadium - home of the Tennessee Smokies. Sunday's attendance at Blue Bell Park: 4,839