Hunter Ensley made an impressive catch, and the pitching was strong as the Vols remain undefeated in the College World Series.
Omaha, Nebraska — Tennessee secured its second win in the College World Series by defeating North Carolina 6-1 on Sunday night at Charles Schwab Field.
The Vols started off strong with Drew Beam striking out the first two batters in the top of the first inning. Tennessee continued its defensive dominance in the second inning, securing three quick outs. Hunter Ensley’s incredible catch in center field, where he crashed into the wall but held on to the ball, added to their defensive highlights.
Beam pitched a perfect 3.2 innings, striking out five batters before allowing his first hit. After giving up a single, he struck out the next batter. Tennessee’s offense struggled to get on the board until the fourth inning when Blake Burke hit a single, and Dylan Dreiling drew a walk. Kavares Tears then hit a three-run home run to right field, putting the Vols ahead 3-0.
Beam’s performance and Tears’ home run allowed Tennessee to maintain control throughout the game, securing a 6-1 victory and keeping them undefeated in the College World Series.
In the top of the fifth inning, Drew Beam walked back-to-back batters with one out but responded with back-to-back strikeouts to end the half-inning.
In the bottom of the fifth, Reese Chapman hit a solo home run to give Tennessee a 4-0 lead. Up until that point in the NCAA Tournament, Chapman was 1 for 14 at the plate with eight strikeouts.
Beam allowed his second hit in the sixth inning, a solo home run by Vance Honeycutt to narrow the Vols’ lead to 4-1. After that, the Tar Heels hit back-to-back singles, prompting Beam to be replaced by Kirby Connell.
Tennessee secured three outs without further damage from there. The Vols extended their lead to 5-1 in the bottom of the sixth when Dean Curley singled and brought home Burke.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, UT got runners on first and second base, and Kavares Tears doubled down the right field line to score Amick, making the lead 6-1.
North Carolina is known for making comebacks, but the Vols stifled the Tar Heels in the final innings. In the eighth inning, UT turned a double play, and Curley made a catch on a line drive.
Tennessee will face the winner of North Carolina and Florida State on Wednesday. The Vols need just one more win to advance to the College World Series Final; 27 of the last 33 national champions have started 2-0 in the College World Series.
