Join hundreds of other Tennessee fans in our Game Thread where you can follow along for live play-by-play updates and commentary as Tennessee plays host to Rhode Island in game two of Friday’s doubleheader.
First pitch: 6:15 p.m. ET
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Starting Lineups
Here’s four quick takeaways from Tennessee’s game two win over Rhode Island on Friday afternoon:
Rounding 1st: Chase Dollander back on track
It was a rough first inning for the righty against Baylor on Saturday, but he really settled in to save Tennessee’s bullpen. The good times followed against the Rams today.
He allowed base runners in each of the first two innings Friday but responded with six strikeouts over the next three innings – facing the minimum in innings three and four.
Dollander finished going six-strong, striking out 12 in the process, while scattering five hits and walking just two. He did a great job of working in his slider to put away batters and hit upper 90s several times.
Rounding Second: 5th inning home run parade
The Vols had some fun in the fifth, blasting three solo home runs in the frame. Christian Scott and Cortland Lawson went back-to-back to begin the inning while Christian Moore homered two batters later. Jared Dickey nearly went yard himself, but fell just short at the right field warning track.
Tennessee plated five runs in the inning overall as Jordan Beck scored on an infield error and Luc Lipcius stole home while Evan Russell was tagged out at second base.
Rounding 3rd: Multi-hit days
Tennessee had three players record multi-hit days in Friday’s game two win over the Rams. Christian Moore and Cortland Lawson each drove in two runs on two hits – while notching a home run in the win. Evan Russell also finished with two hits – both doubles – while driving in a run.
Headed for home: Ben Joyce throws two innings
First man out of the bullpen in game two was the hard-throwing righty Ben Joyce. The heater was on display once again – and this time – for two frames. Joyce finished his appearance tossing two scoreless frames, allowing two hits with a pair of strike outs as he continues to stretch out.
The reliever notched 15 of his 21 total pitches for strikes.
Key Plays:
B2nd: Rhode Island 0, Tennessee 1 (+1)
Tennessee jumps on the scoreboard first thanks to an RBI double laced off the bat of Evan Russell that lined off the right-center field all. Trey Lipscomb came around to score.
B3rd: Rhode Island 0, Tennessee 2 (+1)
Jared Dickey led off the frame with a single and came around to score on a Christian Moore triple. The bloop found grass just past the outstretched glove of the centerfield in the gap in left-center field.
T5th: Rhode Island 1 (+1), Tennessee 2
In a frame where Chase Dollander strikes out his ninth and tenth batter, Brody McKenzie singles in the first run of the day for the Rams. Joe Fortin scored, who walked to leadoff the inning. It was the first walk of the day for Chase Dollander.
B5th: Rhode Island 1, Tennessee 7 (+5)
Tennessee towered three solo home runs to get back out comfortably. Christian Scott and Courtland Lawson went back-to-back while Christian Moore homered two batters later. Tennessee added two more runs later in the inning when Jordan Beck scored on a throwing error and Luc Lipcius stole home while Evan Russell was caught stealing second.
B6th: Rhode Island 1, Tennessee 8 (+1)
The Vols added one more on an RBI single from Christian Scott. Seth Stephenson came around to score the eighth run of the day for the home team.
T9th: Rhode Island 3 (+2), Tennessee 8
Not going away without a fight, the Rams plated two runs in the ninth. Addison Kopack brought in Tino Salgado on a bases-loaded sacrifice fly and Eric Genther followed with an RBI single to center, plating Rob Butler.
Tennessee Stats
This Week's Schedule
Tuesday, March 8
Midweek game – James Madison (8) vs. No. 10 Tennessee (9) -- F(10)
Wednesday, March 9
Midweek game – James Madison (2) vs. No. 10 Tennessee (10)
Friday, March 11
Game 1 – Rhode Island (4) vs. No. 10 Tennessee (17)
Game 2 – Rhode Island (3) vs. No. 10 Tennessee (8)
Sunday, March 13
Game 3 – Rhode Island vs. No. 10 Tennessee -- 12 or 1 p.m. ET
