KNOXVILLE — The University of Tennessee baseball team used some early offense to keep its perfect record intact in the first midweek game of the 2020 campaign.
The Volunteers scored two runs in each of the first two innings en route to an 8-2 victory over Charlotte on a rainy Tuesday afternoon before a sparse crowd at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Jake Rucker, the Volunteers’ sophomore third baseman, opened the scoring when he smacked a two-run home run off 49ers’ starter Trae Starnes in the bottom of the first inning. Max Ferguson led off the frame with a double and scored on Rucker’s round-tripper.
The Vols (4-0) added to their advantage with two more runs in the second, and it was Daniels, Tennessee’s right fielder, who delivered the big blow with a two-run double to make it 4-0.
Charlotte (1-3) scored twice in the top of the third on an RBI single by leadoff hitter Carson Johnson. David McCabe knocked in another run with a sacrifice fly.
The Vols made it 5-2 in their half of the third when Liam Spencer drew a walk with the bases loaded and two outs. Starnes was able to avoid any further damage when he caught Ferguson looking to end the frame.
Daniels had a solo shot in the fourth to make it 6-2.
The Vols made it 8-2 in the bottom of the eighth when pinch runner Christian Stewart scored on a wild pitch and Alerick Soularie drove home Ferguson with a sacrifice fly.
Soularie, a preseason American, is still looking for his first hit of the 2020 season.
Pitcher Elijah Pleasants, making his second career start, went five innings and picked up the win. He surrendered two runs (one earned) and six hits. He didn’t walk a batter and struck out three.
Sean Hunley, Will Mabrey, Christian Delashmit and Redmond Walsh each pitched an inning of scoreless relief for the Diamond Vols.
Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello said that he is pleased with his team’s effort out of the gate this season.
“I think with young kids, anytime they have success, it builds confidence,” Vitello said. “You’re not going to go through 56 games without getting punched in the mouth, in the gut, or whatever you want to call it.
“But for now, they’re excited about finding out what they can and can’t do. That’s what good competition will do and I think we had that tonight.”