Frustrations mount as No. 21 A&M drops series opener in Knoxville, 10-4

Game #22: No. 12 Tennessee 10, No. 21 Texas A&M 4
Records: Texas A&M (15-7, 1-3), Tennessee (17-6, 1-3)
WP: Chase Dollander (4-2)
LP: Nathan Dettmer (1-3)
Box Score

Forgettable Friday flop.

In the first meeting between last year’s SEC East and West regular-season champions, No. 12 Tennessee thrashed No. 21 Texas A&M to secure Friday night’s series opener in Knoxville, 10-4.

The series resumes tomorrow with Troy Wansing starting for A&M. First pitch is slated for 11 a.m. CT.

A promising start for the Aggies quickly crumbled into disappointment.

Chase Dollander was challenged from the onset through a taxing 28-pitch first inning. A&M’s early aggressiveness resulted in two stolen bases being cashed in with Jack Moss’ RBI single and a balk.

Despite momentum seeming to mount in favor of the Aggies, it wasn’t enough to survive Tennessee’s bombardment.

The remainder of the game is undoubtedly one they’ll want to forget soon.

Tennessee appeared motivated after being swept by Missouri last weekend as they pressured Nathan Dettmer early. After his leadoff triple, Maui Ahuna scored on an RBI groundout before a run-scoring single. Back-to-back doubles fanned the flames further to cap off a five-spot in the bottom of the first.

Chris Swann, TexAgs

Jace LaViolette proved most effective for the Aggies, finishing 1-for-2 with a triple and a walk. 

In the second, Jace LaViolette came home as Hank Bard grounded out to Dollander, but the blows kept coming as Tennessee extended their lead to 7-3 by the end of the frame.

In a season that has lacked consistency for the Aggies, Dettmer’s struggles were exacerbated against the Volunteers. The junior right-hander surrendered nine runs on eight hits and three walks. His season ERA now sits at 5.40 through 30.0 innings pitched.

While Dettmer continued to lose control of the mound, Dollander recovered. Locating his fastball within the 95-97 mph range combined with a sharp changeup, the preseason SEC pitcher of the year had no trouble protecting Tennessee’s comfortable lead.

Dollander finished with eight strikeouts and his fourth win of the season.

A wild pitch and a sacrifice fly added two more runs for the Volunteers. Blake Burke homered off Ty Sexton in the seventh to end the near bludgeoning.

Bard made the deficit appear less formidable when a throwing error allowed him to score in the next frame, but the damage had already been done.

That A&M put up four runs on just three hits is still surprising. All three of those hits came within the first three innings.

Having seen the toll of a 3-3 start and rejuvenation of an eight-game winning streak, the Aggies are hoping to prevent themselves from falling into a deeper hole in Southeastern Conference play.

For better or worse, their feelings of frustration from tonight are sure to be unforgettable.