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ATHENS, Ga. - Tennessee picked a bad time to run into Georgia and shortstop Gordon Beckham. The hot-hitting junior homered twice and drove in three runs, as the Vols fell to Georgia 6-2 at Foley Field.

It was UT's first SEC loss of the season. They swept LSU last weekend.

Tennessee starter Steve Crnkovich (4-1) pitched well, but was victimized by Beckham and some manufactured runs by the Georgia offense. He allowed five earned runs in six innings.

"Steve battled hard tonight," said Tennessee coach Todd Raleigh. "He's had four great starts. Tonight wasn't one of them, but he battle really hard for us."

The Vols (13-6, 3-1 SEC) took a 1-0 lead when Andy Simunic scored on a Cody Brown double-play ball in the first inning.

However, the lead wouldn't last long. Beckham drove in Ryan Peisel with a towering two-run home run in the bottom half of the inning.

"There were some signs missed from the dugout, and then Steve couldn't see signs from the catcher," said Raleigh. "He just beat us. He's locked in right now."

The Bulldogs (11-7, 3-1) addec a run in the third, when Beckham scored on Yan Gomes' second passed ball of the inning.

In the fourth, Georgia left fielder Lyle Allen came around to score on a Peisel groundout after leading off with a double.

Tennessee had chances to do more damage against Georgia starter Trevor Holder, but couldn't capitalize. They left the bases loaded in the second, fourth and ninth innings, and left a total of 10 on base for the game.

"I don't think he shut us down," said Raleigh. "We got guys on in almost every inning, and I don't think he's as effective out of the stretch. He pitched well enough to win though."

The Vols had the tying run at the plate in the ninth. P.J. Polk and Danny Lima doubled off reliever Justin Earls. The Bulldogs turned to star closer Joshua Fields, a second-round draft pick of the Atlanta Braves.

Fields struck out Simunic and then hit Kentrail Davis to load the bases. He then stuck out Brown looking to end the game.

Tennesssee's second run of the game came when Jeff Lockwood scored on a Polk's RBI groundout in the sixth. Polk finished with two hits.

The series continues today at 3 p.m. Bryan Morgado will start for UT.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.