Tennessee Topped by #4 Commodores, 6-0

Recap, photo courtesy of University of Tennessee

Aaron Soto throws career-high 7.2 innings vs. VU; Vandy takes series opener on Rocky Top

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Sophomore Aaron Soto and the Volunteers battled against No. 4-ranked Vanderbilt on Friday night, but the Commodores's Jordan Sheffield held off Tennessee for a 6-0 final in the series opener at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

With the loss, Tennessee moves to 21-17 on the season and 4-12 in conference play, while Vanderbilt now stands at 30-8 and 10-6 in SEC competition.

Sophomore lefty Aaron Soto worked 7.2 innings in his fifth start of the year, the longest outing for
his career with Tennessee. He allowed three earned runs on five hits while striking out four Commodore batters in the outing.

Offensively, Chris Hall (2-for-4), Jordan Rodgers (1-for-3) and Tyler Schultz (1-for-3) each contributed base hits against Vanderbilt's Sheffield, who combined with reliever Collin Snider to complete the shutout vs. Tennessee.

A leadoff double, fielding error by Tennessee and a three-run homer by Bryan Reynolds put Vanderbilt ahead in the first, 3-0.

After allowing the go-ahead homer, Soto went on to retire 15 straight batters to shut down Vandy through the sixth inning. UT held the Commodores at a three-run lead until the eighth, when the 'Dores scratched one run across to inch further ahead, 4-0.

In the seventh, Tennessee put a runner in scoring position for the first time vs. VU following a base hit by Hall and a walk by Vincent Jackson but the runners were ultimately left stranded. Vanderbilt went on to plate two more runs in the ninth to secure a 6-0 win.

Righthander Jon Lipinski entered the game in the eighth for Soto, tossing 0.1 inning before senior Steven Kane was called upon in the ninth. Inheriting two baserunners with no outs in the final frame, Kane allowed one run via hit batter.

With bases loaded and one out, freshman Alex Harper-Cook went to the hill and retired his two batters faced.

Vols Baseball Quick Hits

• Following Friday's loss, the Vols how hold a 171-153-2 all-time record vs. Vanderbilt, including a 59-31 mark in games played in Knoxville since 1965.
• Junior Nick Senzel made his first career start at shortstop for the Big Orange, playing in place of injured Max Bartlett.
• With a single up the middle in the bottom of the seventh, senior Chris Hall has now reached base safely in 16 straight games.
• Friday night's attendance at Lindsey Nelson Stadium: 2,084
• On Deck for Tennessee: Sophomore lefty Zach Warren (4-4, 2.98) gets the starting nod in Game Two vs. Vanderbilt's righthander Kyle Wright (4-2, 1.70) on Saturday, April 23. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m. ET with game action available for viewing via SEC Network+ stream.