Best day of his life? Tennessee's Evan Russell launches grand slam for 3rd HR of game
Evan Russell is having a memorable season at Tennessee, and Saturday may be the most memorable day of it all.
The senior outfielder, who earlier this season tied the Tennessee single-game record with three home runs in win over LSU in March, and also set or tied career highs in hits (three), runs (three), RBI (five) and total bases (12), did even more against Vanderbilt.
Russell launched three home runs, including a grand slam, as he came to bat with the Vols trailing 4-3 in the eighth inning as he propelled Tennessee to an 8-4 victory over Vanderbilt. Sean Hunley picked up the victory, his fifth of the season. The home runs helped Tennessee tie the series and improve to 29-7 (10-4 SEC) on the season. He wasn’t the only one to hit the launching pad on Saturday as Connor Pavolony added a home run as well.
This also wasn’t the first time Russell has played the role of hero. He also drove in the game-winning run with a bases-loaded walk and also scored a run and stole a base in win at Alabama earlier in April.
.@EvanRussell_4 🤝 3-Homer Games in SEC Play#GBO 🍊 #OTH #BeatVandy pic.twitter.com/PQmKyiFGOV
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) April 17, 2021
Here is the second HR of the game:
Evan Russell with his 2nd HR of the day for @Vol_Baseball. pic.twitter.com/iDsJths2mN
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) April 17, 2021
Evan Russell hit this one into the River.
Back-to-back HR’s for @Vol_Baseball pic.twitter.com/BVEnf2X22c
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) April 17, 2021