Despite a career-high four runs batted in from Hunter Ensley, #19 Tennessee fell to in-state foe Tennessee Tech, 12-5, on Tuesday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.The loss was the fourth straight for the Volunteers (23-14) and just their second midweek setback of the year after entering the contest 8-1 in such games.
UT used 11 different pitchers in the game, none of which threw more than two innings. AJ Russell was Tennessee’s most effect hurler on the night, tossing two shutout innings without allowing a hit.Ensley drove in three of his four runs with a home run in the bottom of the third to bring the Vols within two runs after falling behind 5-0 early in the game.
It was Ensley who came up big again one inning later with a two-out RBI single to make it a one-run game, but that’s as close as the Big Orange would come to drawing even on the night.
The Vols will look to end their losing streak on Friday night when they kick off their home series against No. 2/4 Vanderbilt. First pitch is slated for 5 p.m. and the game will be televised live on the SEC Network.