TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — No. 5 Tennessee did not clinch the series against No. 14 Alabama after a 7-6 loss on the road in Tuscaloosa on Sunday.
The Vols took the first game of the SEC opening series on Friday and then lost on Saturday. They won a tight battle in the third game.
UT fell behind 1-0 but made some noise in the third inning. With the bases loaded, Dylan Dreiling hit a ball to left center field that bounced off the wall and brought in three runs. Dreiling advanced to third base as UT went up 3-1.
Tennessee got up 4-1 as Robin Villeneuve hit a double that brought Dreiling home. However, Alabama would tie the game up at 4-4 following three runs in the bottom of the third and fourth innings.
The Vols retook the lead in the seventh inning. Kavares Tears grounded out but drove in a run for a 5-4 advantage.
Alabama took the lead back in the bottom of the eighth inning. Gage Miller launched a baseball out of the park for a three-run home run and the Crimson Tide went up 7-5.
In the top of the ninth inning, the Vols got the bases loaded with one out following a couple of mistakes from the Crimson Tide. With two outs on the board, Dreiling drew a walk to bring one run in to put UT down 7-6. Villinueve would strike out in the next at-bat though and Tennessee lost.
It marked the first time this season UT didn't hit a home run in a game.
The Vols will play Xavier next at Lindsey Nelson Stadium on Tuesday at 6 p.m. The SEC home opener is against Ole Miss on Friday at 6:30 p.m.
