For the second time this season, Evan Russell hit three home runs in one game.
His power led Tennessee to an 8-4 victory over Vanderbilt Saturday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Russell, the Volunteers’ senior left fielder from Lexington, Tennessee, left the yard three times and hit a grand slam against the No.2 Commodores. He went 3-for-3 and drove in six runs to help the No. 3 Vols force a rubber game in the three-game Southeastern Conference series Sunday in Knoxville.
The winner of that game not only claims the series, but will have sole possession of first place in the SEC East standings.
Tennessee (29-7, 10-4 SEC) also picked up a home run from catcher Connor Pavolony. Tennessee scored its other run when an RBI groundout by Jake Rucker plated Kyle Booker in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Vanderbilt (27-6, 10-4 SEC) scored all four of its runs via the long ball as CJ Rodriguez had a three-run homer in the sixth.
Russell also hit three home runs in a game against LSU on March 27.
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