Beam, Merritt spotlight Vols’ run-rule win over Gators

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Griffin Merritt’s two residence runs highlighted a dominant victory over No. 2/3 Florida in Saturday afternoon’s sequence finale, because the Volunteers run-ruled the Gators, 14-2, at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

Making his first begin since final Thursday’s sequence opener at LSU, Merritt led No. 8/11 Tennessee with three hits and a career-high six RBIs on the day, punctuated by a walk-off three-run blast to place the run-rule into impact within the eighth inning.

Drew Beam put forth his greatest begin in convention play, going seven innings sturdy whereas tying a profession excessive with 10 strikeouts. The sophomore proper hander held Florida’s harmful lineup scoreless by six innings and allowed simply two runs on 4 hits to select up his fourth victory of the season.

The Vols’ offensive outburst was aided by 18 walks from Florida pitchers, together with six within the first inning alone by Jac Caglianone, who turned the second beginning pitcher in as many weeks to not make it out of the primary inning towards the Large Orange. Caglianone recorded simply two outs and gave up three runs regardless of not permitting a success earlier than being pulled.

UT put up one other three spot within the third inning to extend its result in six. Merritt scored on an error earlier than Cal Stark crushed his third homer of the yr, a two-run blast over the porches in left-center discipline.

Tennessee tacked on two extra runs within the fourth, one within the sixth and two within the seventh earlier than Merritt’s game-ending three-run homer within the eighth.

The highest 5 hitters within the Vols’ batting order mixed to attain 12 runs and draw 11 walks. Christian Moore and Blake Burke didn’t report a success however had been on base constantly and had three runs and three walks apiece.

Luke Heyman drove in the one two runs for the Gators with a house run within the high of the seventh inning to interrupt up UT’s shutout bid.

UP NEXT: The Vols (22-10, 5-7 SEC) will host Japanese Kentucky on Tuesday, April 11 at 6:30 p.m. earlier than hitting the highway to tackle Arkansas subsequent weekend.