Vols season on the line after falling to Wake Forest in regional final

Yahoo

02-06-2025

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — For the first time since 2001, Tennessee lost a home regional game, falling to Wake Forest in the regional final, 7-6, on a walk-off bases-loaded walk. The loss 24 years ago was also to the Demon Deacons.
The Vols entered the bottom of the ninth tied with Wake Forest, 6-6. However, the Demon Deacons quickly loaded the bases and won the game on a bases-loaded walk.
While Tennessee's offense got off to a quick start in the first two games of the weekend, the Vols went three up, three down in the first inning.
Meanwhile, Wake Forest struck first in the bottom of the frame thanks to a Malek Houston solo home run off of Dylan Loy. It marked the first time Tennessee trailed all weekend.
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Wake Forest pitcher Logan Lunceford pitched his second straight 1-2-3 inning in the second, while striking out Dean Curley and Reese Chapman.
After walking the second batter he faced in the second, Dylan Loy was replaced by Brandon Arvidson on the mound. Arvidson recorded back-to-back strikeouts to prevent any further damage.
However, Tennessee quickly took its first lead of the game in the third. Manny Marin reached first on an error, and then scored on a Gavin Kilen double to tie the game at one. Andrew Fischer then sent a single to the right to score Kilen for the 2-1 lead.
The Demon Deacons answered back in the bottom of the third. With two runners on, Wake Forest tied the game, 2-2, on a RBI groundout. Back-to-back doubles scored two more runs for the Demon Deacons as they jumped out to a 4-2 lead.
Wake Forest extended its lead to 6-2 courtesy of a Javar Williams two-run shot in the fourth inning.
The Vols cut the deficit to two runs in the fifth thanks to Andrew Fischer. With Gavin Kilen on second, Fischer mashed the ball over the batter's eye for a two-run shot to make it a 6-4 ballgame.
Tennessee then tied the game in the sixth thanks to another two-run homer, this time courtesy of Levi Clark. It marked the freshman's first long ball of the postseason.
Brandon Arvidson struck out the side, which included a career-high 11th strikeout, in the bottom of the frame to keep things even heading into the seventh inning.
The Vols had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the seventh but couldn't capitalize. Three walks led to Tennessee loading the bases with two outs. However, Reese Chapman struck out, leaving the trio stranded.
After recording his 12th strikeout of the night, Brandon Arvidson's outing was done. Nate Snead replaced Arvidson on the mound and struck out Dalton Wentz to end the inning.
Wake Forest had an opportunity to take the lead in the bottom of the eighth thanks to a triple from Jimmy Keenan. However, Snead struck out Javar Williams to end the threat.
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Haiden Leffew took over on the mound for the Demon Deacons in the ninth and struck out the side to keep things even heading into the bottom of the ninth.
The Demon Deacons went right to work in the bottom of the frame. A walk and back-to-back singles loaded the bases with no outs. Jack Winnay won it for Wake Forest on a four-pitch bases-loaded walk.
UP NEXT: Tennessee and Wake Forest will play for a spot in the Super Regionals tomorrow. Time is yet to be announced.
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