KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Drew Gilbert hit a pair of home runs to lead No. 14 Tennessee to a 9-3 win over UNC Greensboro on Sunday afternoon at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, capping another series sweep for the Volunteers.
Gilbert hit a solo shot in the third inning and then put an exclamation point on the weekend with a grand slam in the bottom of the eighth to give UT a 9-3 lead. It was the second multi-homer game for Gilbert this season as the sophomore finished with a career high five runs batted in.
Junior second baseman Max Ferguson capped a successful weekend with his second multi-hit performance of the series, setting a career high with three hits. He scored a run, had an RBI and stole three bases, as well. Fellow junior Connor Pavolony also had a nice day at the plate with two hits, an RBI and two runs scored.
Freshman right hander Blade Tidwell was solid once again on the mound with six strong innings to earn his second win in as many starts. The Loretto, Tennessee, native gave up two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out six batters.
Spartans’ starter Jacob Mathewson dropped to 2-2 on the year after giving up three runs on four hits in three innings of work. Corey Rosier and Daniel Cerda both had two hits and drove in a run to lead the UNCG attack.
With Sunday’s victory, Tennessee (14-3) has recorded back-to-back series sweeps and three total sweeps this season. The Big Orange took all three games from Georgia State last weekend after opening the season with three wins at Georgia Southern.
The Vols will play one more non-conference game before starting SEC play next weekend as they host in-state foe ETSU on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. The game will be streamed on Watch ESPN and the ESPN app.
NOTABLE
#GILLYGOOBOMBS: Sophomore outfielder Drew Gilbert posted his second multi-homer game of the season in Sunday’s win and now leads the team with five four baggers on the year. The Stillwater, Minnesota, native also had a pair of home runs in Tennessee’s 5-3 win at Georgia Southern on Feb. 20. Gilbert’s grand slam in the eighth inning was the first of his collegiate career and the second for the Vols this season.
FERGIE’S BACK: After struggling to find his groove in the first few weeks of the season, Max Ferguson broke out in a big way this weekend. The athletic sophomore led the team with a .545 batting average, six hits, two doubles and three stolen bases in the series, including a 3-for-4 day at the plate on Sunday afternoon.
Ferguson is now batting .288 on the year after entering the series with a .229 average. The Florida native also hit his second home run of the season in Friday’s 6-2 win in the series opener.
TIDWELL CONTINUES TO IMPRESS: Blade Tidwell continued to show why he’s been in the Vols’ weekend rotation as a true freshman with another quality start on Sunday. Tidwell improved to 2-1 on the year after pitching six solid innings. Over his last two starts, the big right hander is 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 12.0 innings pitched.
Box Score (PDF) | Series Stats | DOWNLOAD: Postgame Media Video (Vitello, Tidwell & Gilbert)
-UT Athletics
