KNOXVILLE, TN - Continuing their non-conference portion of the schedule, the Iona College baseball team dropped game one of the weekend series to SEC powerhouse Tennessee, 27-1 on Friday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

GAME SUMMARY

Despite a leadoff single from senior Luca Lotito, the Gaels couldn't advance him and in the bottom of the 1st inning, Tennessee scored four runs including a three-run homer from Trey Lipscomb, and the Vols wouldn't relinquish the lead. Senior Paul Sullivan, who got the start for Iona was able to get out of the inning with a strikeout and a ground out. 

Trailing 4-0, Iona managed to cut into the deficit in the top half of the 2nd inning, as sophomore Phoenix Bowman lined a single to center field for his first collegiate hit. Bowman would take second base after a passed ball leading to senior Brad Polinsky driving Bowman in on a fielder's choice. Polinsky's first RBI of the season and his third during his Maroon & Gold career.

Tennessee countered the Gaels run with another productive inning at the plate scoring eight runs off seven hits extending the lead to 12-1 after two innings of play. 

In relief for the Gaels, senior Drew Helmstetter worked a scoreless third-inning, getting help from his defense with an inning ending 4-6-3 double play to keep the Vols off the scoreboard. 

After sophomore Jaz Burton worked a one out walk and Bowman reached base off his second single of the game, Iona had runners one first and second with two outs but Tennessee's starter Chase Burns was able to get Polinsky to fly out to end the inning.  

In their next two plate appearances Tennessee's offense stayed hot putting up five runs in the 4th, and four more in the 5th to extend their lead through five innings of play. The Vols would end up with 21 hits including Lipscomb hitting for the cycle in their 27-1 victory in game one of the series.

For Iona, for the second time this season Lotito had multiple hits giving him four through the Gaels first four games of the season. In relief for the Iona, freshman Eric Gialloreto struck out five batters including his first of his career in 3.1 innings of work. 

UP NEXT

The Gaels return for game two of the series at Lindsey Nelson Stadium in less than 24-hours with first pitch scheduled for 1PM on WatchESPN against  the #15 Vols.

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