KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — No. 1 Tennessee won the series opener against No. 24 South Carolina 9-3 on Thursday inside Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
The Vols fell behind 1-0 in the top of the first inning but tied it in the bottom of the first as history was set. Christian Moore hit a solo home run to tie the game at 1-1 and set the Tennessee single-season home run record in the process. He hit his 25th of the season, which topped Sonny Cortez's record of 24 set back in 1998.
Moore added to that record in the bottom of the third inning. He hit another solo home run to give the Vols a 2-1 lead. Kavares Tears hit a three-run home run later in the inning to put UT up 5-1.
South Carolina made it 6-2, but in the seventh inning, Tennessee added more runs. Billy Amick hit a double to bring in a run and later in the inning, Dylan Dreiling hit a two-run home run for a 9-2 UT lead.
Tennessee wouldn't be threatened from there.
The Vols remain a game behind the overall SEC standings and SEC East division standings as Kentucky beat Vanderbilt 10-5 on Thursday night. With two games to go, the Vols look to clinch at least a share of the titles if Kentucky loses a game or two against the Commodores.
Tennessee and South Carolina will square off for Game 2 on Friday at 5:30 p.m.
