Vols' Comeback Falls Short vs. Lions, 5-4

Tennessee finishes 1-2 in the 13th Annual Keith LeClair Classic

GREENVILLE, N.C. -- Tennessee fell behind early against Southeastern Louisiana on Sunday and despite staging a four-run comeback, the Vols lost a 5-4 decision to the Lions in their finale of the 13th Annual Keith LeClair Classic.

With the loss, Tennessee moves to 7-3 on the season and posts a 1-2 finish in tournament, hosted by East Carolina University.

Tennessee struggled to get their bats going on Sunday morning, as the Lions held the Vols hitless through three innings. Senior Chris Hall (1-for-4) broke up the streak with a one-out single through the left side. Another single from Vincent Jackson (2-for-4) and a Jordan Rodgers hit-by-pitch loaded the bases with two outs for UT, before Hall scored on a wild pitch by Lions' starter Domenick Carlini.

With two outs in the fourth, a throwing error by Lions third baseman Derrick Mount allowed Jackson and Rodgers to score, trimming the deficit to 4-3 entering the fifth inning.

The Volunteers rallied again in the sixth, putting runners on the corners with one out. A deep fly ball to center field by catcher Tyler Schultz (1 RBI) then allowed Senzel to score from third and tie the game at 4-4.

After allowing a three spot for Southeastern in the second inning, Tennessee's pitching and defense held the Lions scoreless over the next six frames. The Lions loaded the bases with one out in the seventh, but a huge double play turned by Senzel, Jeff Moberg and Rodgers got Tennessee out of the jam.

Southeastern repeated the threat in the eighth, loading the bases again with one out, but a pickoff at first by reliever Steven Kane and a flyout to right field ended it for the Lions. A solo home run to right field in the ninth by first baseman Jameson Fisher gave Southeastern their ultimate 5-4 lead for the win.

Starter Hunter Martin worked 5.0 innings vs. the Lions, allowing four runs (one earned) on eight hits while walking three batters. Tennessee then used relievers Aaron Soto (1.1), Will Neely (0.2), Zach Reid (0.1) and Daniel Vasquez (0.0) to hold the Lions before Kane (1.2) closed out the ninth for the loss.

Stay tuned for more coming soon to UTSports.com.

Vol Baseball Quick Hits

• Following the Vols' 5-4 loss today (the first meeting between the schools since 1980) UT is now 1-2 all-time vs. Southeastern Louisiana.
• With singles in the fourth inning, Chris Hall extended his current hit streak to 10 games while Vincent Jackson has now reached base safely in each of UT's games this year.
• Junior Nick Senzel (1-for-4) now owns a seven-game hit streak following the Keith LeClair Classic.
• Up Next for the Vols: Tennessee (7-3) returns home to Rocky Top and hosts Western Kentucky on Tuesday, March 8 at 6 p.m. ET. The Vols then hit the road to visit ETSU on Wednesday, March 9 before hosting UC Irvine in UT's first home weekend series from Friday, March 11 - Sunday, March 13.

For more information on Tennessee Baseball, follow @Vol_Baseball on Twitter or visit UTSports.com/Baseball. You can also 'Like' the Vols at Facebook at www.facebook.com/volbaseball.