KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - For the first time ever, Tennessee has started a College World Series 2-0.
The Vols used a 4 RBI night from Kavares Tears and a masterful pitching performance to defeat North Carolina 6-1.
Inning by inning updates are listed below. Scoring plays are listed in italics.
TOP FIRST INNING
Drew Beam began the game with back-to-back strikeouts.
A groundout to second completed a 1-2-3 inning.
BOTTOM FIRST INNING
The Vols struck out twice as part of a 1-2-3 inning.
BOTTOM SECOND INNING
Hunter Ensley made a catch as he slammed into the centerfield wall as part of Drew Beam’s second straight 1-2-3 frame.
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) June 16, 2024TOUGH 😤
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BOTTOM SECOND INNING
Dylan Dreiling drew a walk to leadoff the second inning.
A one out groundout by Kavares Tears put Dreiling at second with two outs.
Dean Curley flew out to right field to end the inning.
TOP THIRD INNING
Beam struck out Colby Wilkerson to complete his third 1-2-3 inning. Through three innings, Beam faced the minimum.
BOTTOM THIRD INNING
Christian Moore lined out to centerfield to end the inning. Tennessee went down in order.
Through three innings both teams combined for one baserunner.
TOP FOURTH INNING
Drew Beam recorded his fourth strikeout of the evening for the second out of the fourth.
North Carolina found the hit column with a two out single from Parks Harber.
Beam’s fifth strikeout of the day ended the inning.
BOTTOM FOURTH INNING
Blake Burke led off the inning with Tennessee’s first hit of the day, a single to left field.
Billy Amick struck out looking for the first out of the fourth.
Dylan Dreiling drew a one out walk, putting runners at first and second with one out.
Hunter Ensley struck out for the second out of the inning.
Kavares Tears gave Tennessee a comfortable lead with one swing, sending a three-run homer into the North Carolina bullpen | Tennessee 3, North Carolina 0
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) June 17, 2024ANOTHER TEARS TANK!!
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TOP FIFTH INNING
Hunter Ensley was replaced by Colby Backus to open the inning.
Beam issued his first two walks of the day to put runners at first and second with one out.
Beam recorded his sixth strikeout of the night for the second out of the inning.
Runners were left stranded at first and second as Beam struck out his seventh batter of the night to end the frame.
BOTTOM FIFTH INNING
Reese Chapman led off the fifth with a solo home run | Tennessee 4, North Carolina 0
An umpire change caused a 17-minute delay after Chapman’s home run. The home plate umpire, Kelly Levy was removed due to a possible concussion.
After a Cal Stark strikeout, Christian Moore singled to right field.
Blake Burke flew out to centerfield for the second out.
After Christian Moore stole second, Billy Amick flew out to end the inning.
TOP SIXTH INNING
Vance Honeycutt led off the inning with a solo home run | Tennessee 4, North Carolina 1
A single to right followed the home run. UNC had just one hit through five innings, they led off the fifth with two hits.
Kirby Connell relieved Drew Beam after 5.1 innings. Beam is responsible for runners on first and second and is in line for the win.
Connell recorded the first out of the inning on a fielder’s choice, placing runners at first and third.
Connell picked off the runner at first for the second out of the inning.
Connell escaped without allowing a run, striking out Gavin Gallaher to end the inning.
BOTTOM SIXTH INNING
Dylan Dreiling flew out to centerfield to leadoff the inning.
Colby Backus drew a walk in his first plate appearance of the game.
Ben Peterson became the third North Carolina pitcher of the night following the walk.
Backus moved up to second on a wild pitch.
Kavares Tears struck out looking for the second out of the inning.
Dean Curley singled home Backus for his second RBI of the CWS | Tennessee 5, North Carolina 1
Curley was thrown out trying to steal second to end the inning.
TOP SEVENTH INNING
Kirby Connell struck out his second batter of the night to leadoff the inning.
With two outs, Alex Madera beat out an infield single to keep the inning alive.
A flyout to right ended the inning.
BOTTOM SEVENTH INNING
Reese Chapman walked to leadoff the inning.
Following the walk, Cameron Padgett became the fourth UNC pitcher of the night.
Christian Moore grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.
TOP EIGHTH INNING
Nate Snead came on in relief to open the eighth.
Vance Honeycutt walked to leadoff the inning.
Snead immediately erased the walk with a double play.
A lineout to short ended the inning.
BOTTOM EIGHTH INNING
With one out, Billy Amick gave Tennessee its first baserunner of the inning with a four pitch walk.
Dylan Dreiling smoked a single through the right side to put runners at first and second.
The single forced another Tar Heel pitching change. Connor Bovair came on in relief.
Colby Backus struck out looking for the second out.
Kavares Tears drove in his fourth run of the night on an RBI double to extend Tennessee’s lead | Tennessee 6, North Carolina 1
TOP NINTH INNING
A two out walk extended the game for UNC.
A lineout to centerfield ended the ballgame.
FINAL | TENNESSEE 6, NORTH CAROLINA 1
The Volunteers will have the next two days off before facing either North Carolina or Florida State on Wednesday.
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