KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – St. Bonaventure started strong, but the powerful bats of the top-ranked Tennessee lineup had the final say in an 11-1 win for the Volunteers Saturday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
The Bonnies (7-6) opened the night with a bang as redshirt sophomore outfielder Jayce Tharnish lifted the third pitch of the evening out to deep right center for his third home run of the season and an early lead for the visitors.
Bona starter Michael Salina worked a scoreless first, but the Vols broke through with two outs in the second as Manny Marin snuck a double down the left field line to score two for a 2-1 advantage.
Another double with a runner aboard brought a run home in the third, this time off the bat of Andrew Fischer.
St. Bonaventure threatened with a one-out double from Conner Vercollone in the fifth and he moved to third on a fly out. Paul Vossen attempted a squeeze play, but his bunt effort landed in the glove of the Vols pitcher to end the threat.
Tennessee (15-0) plated a pair in the fifth on back-to-back sacrifice flies and the Bonnies stranded another runner in scoring position following a double cracked by David Marshall Jr.
The hosts scored twice in the sixth, then put the run-rule into effect on a grand slam from Marin in the seventh.
Salina worked three innings, allowing three runs with two walks and two strikeouts before exiting the game. Gabe Watts struck out two in 2.2 innings of relief (2.2 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 K).
Tennessee starter Marcus Phillips struck out five across 5.2 innings to earn the win on the hill.
The Bonnies and Vols wrap up the series Sunday at 1 p.m.
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