Vols Begin Week With 5-4 Win Over MTSU

Tennessee began a long week on the right foot, overcoming a slow start to beat Middle Tennessee State 5-4 on Tuesday.

The Volunteers scored their five runs despite leaving 14 men on base, a stat which has plagued Tennessee thus far this season.

Tennessee’s bats weren’t hot early, but the Vols used 3 RBIs from Jay Charleston and a two-run triple from Justin Ammons in the fourth and fifth innings to go from down 3-0 to up 5-3.

Tennessee managed just six hits, but was afforded 14 walks from the Blue Raider pitching staff. Tennessee’s five pitchers surrendered a combined seven hits and seven walks.

MTSU loaded the bases with no outs in the eighth inning, but Tennessee pitcher Chase Wallace got a strikeout and a double play to get out of the jam without allowing a run.

The Blue Raiders then got a man to third base with one out in the ninth inning, but the Vols again stranded him there and preserved the win.

Tennessee returns to action on Wednesday against Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. The Vols then host the Tri-Star Classic this weekend with games against MTSU, ETSU and Memphis.