Vols get relief, break at Georgia

ATHENS, Ga. - Tennessee finally caught a break against Georgia.

The Vols (14-7, 4-2 SEC) pushed across the winning run on an error in the 10th inning, and avoided a sweep by beating the Bulldogs 4-3 at Foley Field on Sunday.

Starting pitcher Nick Hernandez was sharp, scattering eight hits over six innings while allowing three runs. The UT trio of Jeff Lockwood, Ty'Relle Harris and Aaron Everett pitched four innings of scoreless relief.

"It's crucial to get this win on the road," said Tennessee coach Todd Raleigh. "It doesn't mean much this early, but it's still big."

Hernandez was hit hard in the first, and Georgia (12-8, 4-2) took a 1-0 lead on a Rich Poythress sacrifice fly. However, the left-hander pitched the next five innings without allowing a run.

"I thought I threw the ball well," Hernandez said. "I got hit hard in the first, but I went out there and settled down and did what I had to do to keep my team in the game."

Georgia scored twice in the seventh to tie the game 3-3. Designated hitter Bryce Massanari led off with a solo home run. After Lyle Allen followed with a single, Hernandez was lifted in favor of Lockwood. The Bulldogs tied the game on Michael Demperio's RBI groundout.

Andy Simunic reached on a single with one out off of reliever Alex McRee to start the 10th. After Simunic advanced to third on a Yan Gomes' one-out single, he scored when Cody Brown's grounder skipped over Georgia third baseman Ryan Peisel's glove into left field.

"It's big to catch a break like that in the 10th," Hernandez said. "We had some instances when we couldn't take advantage of opportunities this weekend and it hurt us. This time we capitalized."

Gomes hit a two-run homer in the fourth off Georgia starter Nathan Moreau.

Danny Lima reached on an error and scored on Simunic's double in the seventh.

Everett (2-2) retired six consecutive Bulldogs in the ninth and 10th for the win.

"That was the best he pitched all year," Raleigh said. "It was six up and six down, and they really didn't even have a good swing on him."