Nick Senzel had just evened the score at 2-2 with a sacrifice fly to center field in the sixth inning when ETSU head coach Tony Skole decided to replace starting pitcher Ryan Simpler with Jamin McCann.
The decision proved to be a costly one.
Skole quickly recognized his mistake, replacing McCann on the mound three at-bats later. But by then, the damage had been done. McCann had walked three straight batters, advancing AJ Simcox from second to home for the go-ahead run.
The Vols only needed that one run to clinch the win, but scored several insurance runs in the eighth inning to defeat ETSU Buccaneers 5-2 on Tuesday Night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
“It’s part of our offense,” Tennessee head coach Dave Serrano said. “Taking advantage of what the other team is giving you: whether it’s a miscue on the field, or whether it’s a hit by pitch, or whether it’s a walk. I thought our guys showed really good discipline in that time. We had runners in scoring position and if they get a little selfish and want to swing to be the hero, that (sixth) inning may not have come out the way it did.
“We were able to get it going later in the game and come away with a 5-2 victory. And I am proud of our guys for doing that.”
Righty reliever Steven Kane (2-1) earned the win for Tennessee (7-5). ETSU (7-7) starting pitcher Ryan Simpler (1-2) recorded the loss.
Andrew Lee got his second save of the year, throwing four strikeouts in the final two innings.
Lee also contributed on offense. Batting in the sixth spot, Lee had two RBI, including the walk with the bases loaded that brought Simcox home in the sixth inning.
“In that situation with the bases loaded with only one out, you’re looking for something up that you can drive to outfield and get a sac fly and maybe score two runs,” Lee said. “I was just looking for something up in the zone, something I could handle. I didn’t get anything great so I just let them go.”
Right-hander Hunter Martin didn’t get the win in his start on the mound, but he quieted ETSU’s bats for most of the night, allowing three hits and posting a 1.69 ERA in five innings.
After a slow start in the first inning, Hunter retired nine straight batters from the second inning through the fifth inning.
“I thought the fourth and fifth innings for him were as crisp as he was all night,” Serrano said.
The Knoxville natives led ETSU offensively, with Bearden alum Trey York recording two hits and Powell alum Hagen Owenby getting one hit and two RBI.
Owenby was responsible for ETSU’s only runs, platting York with a single up the middle in the first inning, and bringing home York again with a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning.
Nathaniel Maggio was Tennessee’s offensive force, recording a hit in all of three of his at-bats.
Trailing 1-0 in the fifth inning, Maggio got Tennessee’s offense going with a leadoff single through the left side. Three batters later, Langhorne platted Lee with a sacrifice bunt.
Christian Stewart blasted his third homerun of his season to give the Vols a 4-2 lead in the eighth. Maggio followed Stewart’s homerun with a double down right field. His pinch runner Chance Hall would score off a single from Lee to give the game its final score.
“Maggio is playing pretty well,” Stewart said. “I mean when a 6-5, 230 guy is swinging with authority behind you, that gives you confidence at the plate and puts a little fear in the pitchers. Maggio needs to keep on doing what he is doing: staying inside the ball, driving it to all gaps. He will do great.”
The Vols host another midweek game Wednesday at 5 p.m. against Morehead State. Lefty Zach Warren will start on the mound.
