#1/3 Vols Open Astros Foundation College Classic with 5-2 Win Over #16/NR Cowboys

HOUSTON – No. 1/3 Tennessee opened its weekend at the Astros Foundation College Classic with its first win over a ranked foe this season, topping No. 16/NR Oklahoma State by a score of 5-2 at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas.

The Volunteers (9-0) built up a four-run lead over the first four innings thanks to four solo home runs, the first two of which came off the bat of Gavin Kilen

UT added another run on a Dean Curley RBI groundout to make it a 5-0 game before the Cowboys added runs in the seventh and eighth innings to cut into the deficit.

Nate Snead put an end to any thought of a OSU comeback, slamming the door with a scoreless ninth inning to pick up his first save of the year..

The Tennessee Volunteers baseball team, ranked #1 by the USA Today Coaches Poll and #3 by the NCBWA, kicked off the Astros Foundation College Classic in dominant fashion, securing a 5-2 win over the #16/NR Oklahoma State Cowboys. The much-anticipated matchup at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas, marked the beginning of a prestigious weekend tournament, and the Vols made a statement with their performance.

This victory was significant not only because of the opponent but also because it set the tone for the Vols as they begin their quest to defend their status as one of the top teams in college baseball. Oklahoma State, a perennial powerhouse in college baseball, provided stiff competition, but the Vols were up to the challenge, showing why they are considered one of the elite teams in the country.

Setting the Stage: The Astros Foundation College Classic

The Astros Foundation College Classic brings together some of the top teams in NCAA Division I baseball for a three-day tournament at the home of the Houston Astros. The event features a competitive field of teams from across the country, all vying for early-season bragging rights and valuable momentum heading into the rest of the spring.

For the Vols, this was not just another regular-season tournament. Coming off a stellar season the previous year, where they made a deep run in the College World Series, the Vols were looking to continue their dominance in 2024 and prove they were every bit worthy of their lofty preseason ranking. Their first opponent, Oklahoma State, was no slouch. Ranked #16 in the preseason coaches’ poll, the Cowboys are known for their power at the plate and a pitching staff capable of shutting down top-tier offenses.

With the eyes of college baseball on this high-profile matchup, the Vols knew they needed to come out strong. Despite the pressure, Tennessee did what they do best—hit for power, execute well on defense, and showcase dominant pitching.

A Solid Start: Vols Take Control Early

The game began with both teams feeling each other out in the first inning, but it didn’t take long for Tennessee to make their presence felt. The Vols came to bat in the top of the second inning, and it didn’t take long for them to get on the scoreboard. With one out, shortstop Cortland Lawson, a key contributor to the team’s success all season, stepped up to the plate. Lawson, known for his clutch hitting, took advantage of an early mistake by Oklahoma State’s pitcher, delivering a solid single to right field.

The momentum quickly shifted to Tennessee’s dugout. After a groundout moved Lawson to second, senior third baseman Jorel Ortega stepped to the plate and delivered a powerful line drive into the gap. Lawson, showing his quick instincts on the basepaths, rounded third and headed for home, easily crossing the plate to give the Vols a 1-0 lead. Ortega’s double was an early sign of what was to come from the Vols’ offense, and it was clear they weren’t about to back down from the challenge.

The following inning, Tennessee doubled their lead. With two outs, right fielder Christian Moore, who had a sensational 2023 season, singled to left field. Then, designated hitter Blake Burke, one of the most feared hitters in college baseball, came to the plate. Burke, who had shown flashes of his immense power throughout the early part of the season, did not disappoint. On the very first pitch he saw, Burke launched a deep shot over the left-field fence for a two-run homer. The crowd erupted as Tennessee jumped out to a 3-0 lead.

As impressive as Tennessee’s offense was in these early innings, the real story of the game was their pitching—specifically starting pitcher Chase Burns.

Chase Burns: Dominating from the Mound

Chase Burns, Tennessee’s ace and one of the top pitchers in the nation, took to the mound with a calm demeanor but a fierce competitive edge. From the first inning, Burns showed why he is regarded as one of the best in college baseball. The Cowboys’ potent lineup was no match for Burns’ electric stuff, as he located his fastball and off-speed pitches with precision.

Burns worked efficiently through the first few innings, keeping the Cowboys’ hitters off-balance with his explosive fastball and devastating slider. Burns struck out five batters in the first four innings alone, and Oklahoma State seemed to have no answer for his pitching. He dominated in the strike zone, limiting the Cowboys to just one hit through the first four innings.

Despite the strong early lead, Burns faced his first real challenge in the top of the fifth inning when the Cowboys threatened with a two-out rally. After a single and a walk, Oklahoma State had two men on base with the cleanup hitter coming to the plate. Burns, however, showed his poise and maturity on the mound. He quickly got ahead of the hitter 0-2 before delivering a nasty slider that froze the batter for a called third strike, ending the inning and extinguishing the threat.

Burns’ performance set the tone for the rest of the game, and his ability to keep the Cowboys off the board through the first five innings gave the Vols the cushion they needed.

Oklahoma State Fights Back: Vols Hold Strong

While Burns was stellar early on, the Cowboys were not going to go down quietly. In the top of the sixth inning, the Cowboys began to mount a rally. With two outs, catcher Roc Riggio, one of Oklahoma State’s most dangerous hitters, cracked a double to the wall in right-center field. He advanced to third base on a wild pitch, putting the tying run just 90 feet away.

The next batter, Nolan McLean, had an opportunity to bring the Cowboys back into the game. But Burns wasn’t rattled. After falling behind 2-0, he battled back with a pair of fastballs and got McLean to pop up to shortstop, ending the inning without allowing a run. This was a key moment in the game, as it allowed the Vols to preserve their three-run lead heading into the later innings.

Oklahoma State finally managed to score in the top of the seventh inning, when Burns allowed a leadoff single to the Cowboys’ speedy centerfielder. A throwing error by Tennessee third baseman Ortega on a fielder’s choice play gave Oklahoma State runners on the corners with no outs. Burns’ composure was tested again, but he induced a weak groundout to first base to get the first out, followed by a strikeout for the second. However, a sac fly allowed the Cowboys to push across their first run of the game, making the score 3-1.

Tennessee responded immediately in the bottom of the seventh. Ortega made up for his earlier error by blasting a solo shot to left field, extending the Vols’ lead back to three runs, 4-1. The Vols would add one more run in the bottom of the eighth inning when Moore singled to center and advanced on a wild pitch, eventually scoring on a base hit from designated hitter Burke.

Oklahoma State added a final run in the top of the ninth with a solo home run from the Cowboys’ first baseman, but it was too little, too late. Tennessee’s closer, Ben Joyce, entered in the ninth and shut the door with a pair of strikeouts, securing the 5-2 win for the Vols.

The Road Ahead: Vols Eyeing Continued Success

The 5-2 victory over Oklahoma State was a powerful opening statement for the Vols at the Astros Foundation College Classic. With their ace, Chase Burns, leading the way on the mound and a potent offense providing plenty of run support, Tennessee showed they are ready for whatever challenges lie ahead.

With their next two games in the tournament scheduled against other top-tier teams, the Vols know that their work is far from over. But with key players like Burke, Moore, Lawson, and Ortega stepping up in big moments, along with a pitching staff that includes not only Burns but also other dominant arms like Drew Beam and Chase Dollander, Tennessee looks primed to continue its success.

The Vols will now turn their attention to the rest of the Astros Foundation College Classic, where the competition will only get tougher. However, if their performance against Oklahoma State was any indication, Tennessee is more than ready to rise to the occasion as they aim to remain one of the nation’s best teams in 2024.