Longhorns defeat Volunteers 8-4, stay alive in College World Series

[HornSports Staff]

Photo: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

The #2 Texas Longhorns staved off elimination on Tuesday afternoon with an 8-4 victory over #3 Tennessee at TD Ameritrade Park.  Starting pitcher Tristan Stevens gave up four runs in 3.1 innings pitched before being replaced by Tanner Witt. Witt pitched a bullish 5.2 innings in relief, allowing just three hits and no runs.

The offensive star for the Longhorns was Eric Kennedy.  After Tennessee added two in the top of the second inning, Kennedy's three-run home run in the Longhorns' at-bat gave the Longhorns a 3-2 lead early on.  Texas added another run in in the third inning on a Cam Williams' groundout RBI to make the score 4-2.

The Volunteers tied the game in the fourth on an RBI single before Stevens was pulled and Witt came in.  Witt gave up an RBI single but was able to end the Tennessee charge on a 4-6-3 double play.

With two outs, Texas added three runs in the bottom of the frame.  Silas Ardoin's single to right field scored two runs and Cam Williams' single drove in Mike Antico from second base.  After four innings Texas led Tennessee 7-4.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Eric Kennedy stole third base and scored on a wild pitch after a single to right field, providing the Longhorns with an insurance run and an 8-4 lead which would never be relinquished.

Texas stays alive in the loser's bracket in Omaha and will next face Virginia on Thursday at 6:00 PM.  The Cavaliers lost to Mississippi State 6-5 on Tuesday evening.