The Mountaineers closed within a run of Tennessee with a two-run eighth inning, but couldn’t manage to complete the comeback as they allowed a late Tennessee run and lost 3-5 on the road Wednesday.
The Volunteers opened up the scoring in the first inning when senior right fielder Scott Price hit a solo home run off of Appalachian State sophomore pitcher Blake Burkett on a 2-2 count.
App State tied the game in the top of the fourth inning when senior third baseman William Head advanced to second base on a throwing error and junior catcher Ozzy Gonzalez doubled off of the outfield wall to bring Head home.
Tennessee quickly regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth, when sophomore center fielder Vincent Jackson brought home sophomore left fielder Christin Stewart from third base on a sacrifice fly.
The Volunteers then tacked on two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Junior second baseman Will Maddox came home on a bunt single for the third run of the game and Stewart doubled into deep right field to score the fourth run.
The Mountaineers began to rally in the eighth inning when sophomore shortstop Dillon Dobson hit a single and joined Head as the only two App State players to collect two hits on the day.
Dobson was brought home when junior second baseman Michael Pierson doubled to make the game 2-4.
Sophomore designated hitter Alex Leach just missed sending a hit down the right field foul line with two runners on base. Tennessee freshman first baseman Nathaniel Maggio snagged the ball, taking the hit away from Leach.
Immediately after collecting the eighth inning’s second out, Head hit a single to bring home the third App State run.
Tennessee added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth when freshman designated hitter Nick Senzel tripled and was brought home on a sacrifice fly by sophomore catcher David Houser.
The Mountaineers left a runner on second base in the top of the ninth and weren’t able to cut into the lead.
App State opens up a three-game series with NC State on Friday. First pitch of the opening game is set for 3 p.m.
Story: Cory Spiers, Sports Editor