Tennessee Tech tops Vols, 9-7

Shawn Griffin and Bryan Morgado

Daniel Beasley and Zane Stone

Andy Simunic and P.J. Polk

Tennessee Tech's hitting overpowered Tennessee's pitching Tuesday night in a 9-7 baseball win over the Vols in Cookeville.

The Golden Eagles pounded 15 hits off six UT pitchers and snapped a seven-game losing streak to the Vols in the non-conference game.

Tennessee (16-10) comes home today to play Charlotte at 7 p.m.

The Vols, trailing 9-5 to start the ninth inning, almost pulled a win out of the fire. Shawn Griffin's bases-loaded, two-out double - UT's 10th hit of the game - drove in two runs.

Tech (20-7) brought Matt Kearney out of the bullpen and Andy Simunic walked to load the bases. UT countered with pinch-hitter Tanner Moore, batting for Josh Liles. Kearney caught Moore looking for a strikeout to end the game.

The Vols opened with three runs in the first to spot starter Jeff Lockwood a nice cushion. Lockwood allowed three runs and seven hits in three innings, but UT still led 5-3 entering the fateful bottom of the sixth, when Tech exploded for four runs, victimizing Bryan Powell (0-1) and Ryne Simpson.

Powell gave up two hits, hit two batters and threw a wild pitch. Simpson came on with UT clinging to a 5-4 lead and gave up the tying run on a wild pitch. Evan Webb then ripped a two-run double for a 7-5 lead.

The Golden Eagles added two more runs in the seventh off Joey Rosas.

The Vols dropped to 4-8 away from Lindsey Nelson Stadium.