Tennessee ties the series 1-1 against Notre Dame to force game 3 of Super Regionals

 

KNOXVILLE, TN -- The Notre Dame baseball team lost in game two to Tennessee, tying the series at 1-1.

After losing to the Irish 8-6 in game one and giving four homeruns, Tennessee hit four homeruns and won 12-4 in game two.

The game started with the Volunteers jumping out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning, with an RBI single off starting pitcher, John Michael Bertrand.

Bertrand kept things close until Tennessee made the fifth inning something to remember.

“We couldn’t evade the fifth inning. That was clearly the difference in the game,” said Irish Head Coach Link Jarrett.

Tennessee raked in eight runs in the fifth inning and although they did so multiple ways, going yard on Bertrand was a huge factor.

“We were facing their best guy, at least statistically, and I know he has done a lot for them to this point. I think we were fortunate to kind of lean on him early there,” said Tennessee Head Coach Tony Vitello.

After being down 9-0, the Irish eventually put some runs on the board.

Infielder Jack Zyska had three hits in the game, including a two-run homer for the Irish.

In the end it was the Vols starting pitcher, Chase Dollander that made the difference in the game going seven innings, with five strikeouts.

“I was able to kind of execute that better than some of the guys in the lineup, but the fastball and the changeup where we wanted it. It was definitely tough to string quality at bats together,” said Zyska.

“Dollander threw a great game. He really had four pitches in play. The velocity, we knew coming has a life of its own. It was sneaky,” said Jarrett.

Game three is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m.