HOUSTON – No. 6 Tennessee dropped its first game of the season, falling 7-2 to No. 1 Texas on Friday night at Minute Maid Park in Houston.
The Vols (8-1) got a great performance on the mound from freshman right hander Chase Burns, but the bullpen was unable to hold the Longhorns lineup in check in the second half of the ballgame, giving up a combined six runs in the sixth and seventh innings.
Burns was phenomenal for the Big Orange, striking out a career-high 10 batters on the night. The Gallatin, Tennessee, native allowed just one run on two hits before being lifted after five innings.
Texas starter Pete Hansen was impressive as well, holding UT’s dangerous lineup in check despite giving up some hard-hit balls. The veteran lefty scattered five hits and gave up just one run while striking out five in six innings to earn the win and improve to 2-0.
It was the bottom of Tennessee’s order that had the most success at the plate, combining for five of the team’s seven hits on the night. Evan Russell and Cortland Lawson both went 2-for-4 with an RBI while Jared Dickey also recorded a base knock to extend his hit streak to seven games.
Drew Gilbert had a solid game for the Vols, as well, reaching base in all four of his plate appearances after getting hit by two pitches, drawing a walk and recording a single.
After four scoreless innings and some dominant pitching on both sides, it was Russell who opened the scoring with a solo shot in the top of the fifth to put the Vols ahead 1-0. The Lexington, Tennessee, native ripped the first pitch he saw into the box seating in left field for his third homer of the year.
The Longhorns (10-0) answered right back with a solo home run of their own in the bottom of the inning, as Trey Faltine tied the game at one with his second long ball of the year.
Texas took its first lead of the game with three runs in the bottom of the sixth to pull ahead 4-1.
The Vols cut the deficit to two on an RBI double by Lawson in the top of the seventh but left two runners stranded in scoring position to end the inning. UT left nine runners on base for the game.
The Longhorns all but iced the game away with another three-spot in the bottom of the seventh to take a 7-2 lead.
Aaron Nixon recorded the final six outs for Texas to finish the game. The sophomore right hander had a pair of strikeouts to strand the bases loaded in the top of the eighth and allowed just one base runner while striking out four.
UP NEXT: The Vols continue their weekend at the Shriners Children’s College Classic on Saturday against Baylor. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m. ET. Fans can watch the game on the MLB Network or stream the game on Astros.com, the Astros Twitter, Facebook and YouTube accounts, and the MLB app. Tickets for the games can be purchased by clicking HERE.
NOTABLE
FRESHMAN PHENOM: Tennessee freshman Chase Burns showed why he was one of the most coveted recruits in his signing class. The true freshman set a career high with 10 strikeouts on Friday night against the Longhorns and allowed just one run on two hits and one walk in five innings of work. Burns struck out the side three times and recorded seven straight outs via strikeout at one point.
-UT Athletics
