Junior third baseman Jake Rucker had a big day at the plate to help Tennessee shut out Georgia State, 7-0, and complete a sweep of the Panthers Sunday afternoon at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Rucker went 2-for-4 and had a two-run homer for the No. 17 Volunteers in the win. He also drove in four runs.
Rucker gave UT a 1-0 lead with an RBI single in the bottom of the first inning, extending the Vols’ advantage to 3-0 with a two-run homer in the third.
Drew Gilbert also had a two-run blast in the frame, extending UT’s lead to 5-0. He went 2-for-4 and pitched the ninth inning for Tennessee.
Rucker drew a walk with the bases loaded in the sixth for Tennessee (11-2) and Liam Spence, who went 2-for-2 and scored three runs, came home in the seventh when Jordan Beck hit into a double play.
With the loss, the Panthers dropped to 4-9 on the season.
On the mound, Elijah Pleasants pitched 2.1 innings of relief to pick up his second win of the season.
Pleasants (2-1) gave up one hit and struck out three.
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