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Tennessee rides grand slam from Blake Burke to series-clinching win vs. South Carolina
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Tennessee is gearing up for the postseason, and the Vols are firing on all cylinders. After originally falling behind to South Carolina, the bats woke up with 8 unanswered runs for the win.
Drew Beam had the start for Tennessee, and he was solid across 6 innings pitched. The Gamecocks would stake themselves to an early lead with 3 runs in the top of the 2nd inning, but just 1 of those runs was charged as earned to Beam.
The Vols would finally wake up with a 4-run 6th inning to squeak into the lead. A 3-run home run by Hunter Ensley was the big blast and the go-ahead shot for the Vols.
HUNTER ENSLEY INTO ORBIT AND THE VOLS LEAD!!
? https://t.co/WFwkyhEXTw (SECN+)#GBO // #OTH // #BeatSC pic.twitter.com/5GeMOArTYW
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) May 18, 2024
The 7th inning would bring a chance for some insurance. With the bases loaded and 1 out, Tennessee sent Blake Burke to the plate, and he delivered a massive moment.
Burke blasted his 16th home run of the season, a 448-foot bomb into the night that was tracked at 112 MPH off the bat for Tennessee’s 11th grand slam of the season. That sets a new single-season record for grand slams by a team in SEC history.
A #BURKEBLAST OF THE GRANDEST VARIETY!
? https://t.co/WFwkyhEXTw (SECN+)#GBO // #OTH // #BeatSC pic.twitter.com/PuORpYvnaP
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) May 18, 2024
Tennessee would finish off the 8-3 win without further drama, giving the team 9 straight series wins to cap the regular season. The Vols will get a chance for a series sweep on Saturday in the regular-season conclusion.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
