Liam Spence had a big bat Friday night and Tennessee took advantage of miscues from Georgia State, claiming victory over the Panthers.
Pitcher Will Heflin also helped the Vols notch a 6-1 victory at Lindsey Nelson Stadium Friday night.
Spence went 2-for-5, drove in two runs and scored another, to lead No. 17 Tennessee’s offensive attack. He also recorded one stolen base against Georgia State (4-7), which committed three errors in the contest.
Spence came home with the game’s first run in the bottom of the opening frame when Georgia State pitcher Ryan Watson was called for a balk.
Jordan Beck extended UT’s advantage to 2-0 when his sacrifice fly plated Pete Derkay for the Vols (9-2).
In the second inning, Beck made it 3-0 when he picked up an RBI as he reached on a fielder’s choice. Spence had an RBI single in the sixth and Derkay drove in another run with a groundout to give Tennessee a 6-0 lead.
Georgia State scored when Josh Smith hit a solo home run in the seventh.
Heflin (2-0) went seven innings. He surrendered one run and six hits, while striking out eight.
Reliever Kirby Connell threw two innings and struck out three of the six batters he faced.
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