Tennessee Wins Thriller To Get Within One Win Of Supers

The Tennessee Volunteers pulled off a borderline miracle to advance in Clemson Regional.

Author:
Jonathan Lidskin
Publish date:
Jun 4, 2023 5:23 PM EDT

Just... wow. There are truly no words that can fully explain the drama and thrill in Tennessee's 6-5 extra-innings win over Clemson yesterday. The Vols looked like the worse team, they were dead in the water. Now, they're one game away from a super regional and they'll have one safety net game to get there.

Despite an early lead on a home run from Christian Moore, Tennessee did not look their best. Chase Dollander didn't have his best stuff, Tennessee was struggling to manufacture runs and solo shots from Moore and Zane Denton only got the Vols within two runs. Clemson pitcher Caden Grice was flat-out dealing, as he recorded every Clemson out in the first 9 innings... except the one the Tigers needed the most.

Here's where the fun starts: After giving up two 2-out singles in the top of the 9th, Clemson opts to pull Caden Grice with just one out left to throw a complete game. Zane Denton, who had homered two innings earlier, gets to face new Clemson pitcher Ryan Ammons as the go-ahead run. On a 2-2 count, Denton hits a no-doubter to left to give the Vols the lead after being well on their way to the elimination bracket. However, the Tigers get the run back in the bottom of the 9th with two outs on a double by Freshman Cam Cannarella.

Tennessee went from nearly playing an elimination game on Sunday, to going to the regional championship, to going to extras in the span of 4 outs. In extras, the Vols needed a call at first overturned to avoid a loss in the 10th. They hit into an inning-ending double play with the bases loaded in the 13th. Through all the emotions, it was a 14th-inning double by Hunter Ensley that gave the Vols the lead and eventually the win.

With the victory, Tennessee will need to be defeated twice in the regional championship to be eliminated. Clemson and Charlotte are facing off in an elimination game Sunday, with the winner getting the Vols at 6:00 Eastern on Sunday Night.

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