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JOHNSON CITY - Tennessee first-year baseball coach Todd Raleigh's return to Cardinal Park ended prematurely.

Raleigh was ejected in the top of the eighth inning during a 10-9 loss at East Tennessee State on Wednesday. So was assistant coach Bradley LeCroy.

The pair were tossed shortly after Yan Gomes was called out at second base for the second out when he tried to advance on Jeff Lockwood's flyout to center field.

The unusual double-ejection capped an entertaining, if not cleanly played, game. And the coaches' heated antics, as well as a bit of reciprocation from the umpires, delighted the rare Cardinal Park crowd of 964.

"What upset me was the manner and the conduct of the umpires more than the call itself," said Raleigh, who once regularly visited Johnson City when he was at Western Carolina and East Tennessee State was in the Southern Conference. "I guess that's what I'll leave it at."

Tennessee (20-11) built a 6-3 lead after two innings. Lockwood's two-out, two-run double off the right-center field wall was the big hit during that span.

The lead wasn't safe for left-handed starter Joey Rosas, who came in with 22 walks in 242<0x2044>3 innings. He was lifted after 32<0x2044>3 innings, having allowed seven runs - all earned - on seven hits and two walks. Rosas also committed two errors via errant pickoff throws.

ETSU (8-24) scored three runs in the sixth. Ben Allen's two-out RBI single proved to be the game-winner.

Troy Mendez began the inning with a two-run home run deep into the adjacent Steve Spurrier Field.

"It was a 3-2 fastball inside," Mendez said. "I got all of it."

The win was beleaguered ETSU coach Tony Skole's third in his last five games against the Vols.

"Any time we get the lineup against Tennessee it's a big game for us," Skole said. "I tip my cap to them because Coach Raleigh has done a great job bringing a lot of energy to their program."

ETSU used six pitchers. Weekend starter Brandon Langston worked the ninth for his first save.

Tennessee finished with 15 hits. Lockwood had two hits and three RBIs, and Danny Lima was 3-for-5 with two RBIs.

Leadoff batter P.J. Polk was 4-for-6 with two doubles and a stolen base.

Ty'Relle Harris struck out two in two innings of hitless relief.

"We came out flat tonight and we're not pitching right now," Raleigh said. "We've got a couple of key injuries (to pitchers Danny Wiltz and Aaron Everett) and third baseman Cody Brown, who's played every single game at third base, was out with a strained calf muscle."

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.