KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 5/5 Tennessee had a night to forget in Friday’s series opener against No. 22/NR Georgia, losing 16-2 in seven innings in front of a sellout crowd at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
The Bulldogs, who entered the weekend leading the nation with 74 home runs, went deep four times in the game to power them to their fourth SEC win of the year.
Leadoff hitter Corey Collins homered twice, drone in six runs and scored three times to lead the attack while shortstop Kolby Branch also had a big night with three hits and three RBIs.
UT starter AJ Causey got off to a solid start, retiring the side in order in the top of the first to start the game, but was tagged for six runs (five earned) in the second and two more in the third before making way for the bullpen. The loss was the first of the season for Causey, who entered the series with an unblemished 5-0 record, including wins in both of his SEC starts.
Despite the loss, the Vols were able to record double-digit hits for the 16th time this season, finishing with 10 for the night. Blake Burke, Dean Curley and Reese Chapman led the way with two hits apiece while Kavares Tears had the only RBI of the game for the Big Orange with a two-out double in the third inning.
Charlie Goldstein started on the mound and got the win for Georgia (22-4, 4-3 SEC), striking out three and walking none in six innings to improve to 4-0 on the year. The lefthander scattered nine hits, and both runs he gave up were unearned.
UP NEXT: Tennessee (22-5, 3-4 SEC) will look to bounce back and even the series on Saturday. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. and the game will be televised on the SEC Network.
STAT OF THE GAME: With a single in the third inning, Burke extended his hitting streak to 17 games and his on-base streak to 25 games. The junior added a double in the bottom of the seventh, his SEC-leading 15th of the season.
