GAINESVILLE, Fla. — In their third game without head coach Tony Vitello in the dugout, No. 1 Tennessee kept rolling to start its weekend series against Florida.
Vitello was still serving his suspension, but the Vols' offense was serving up hits in its 8-2 win over their SEC foe.
Florida's usual Friday starter Hunter Barco was sidelined with elbow discomfort in the days leading up to this matchup, so the team had to go with sophomore pitcher Ryan Slater.
Slater's first SEC start left much to be desired. The righty was pulled after he allowed eight earned runs, including a three-run homer by Trey Lipscomb, in 4.1 innings of work.
Tennessee got phenomenal pitching from starter Chase Burns. The freshman went 6.1 innings, striking out five and allowing two runs to record his seventh win of the season.
UT relievers Ben Joyce and Redmond Walsh combined to shut the door out of the pen and help the Vols finish off the game one victory.
The Vols improved to 35-3 this season following the win and 15-1 in SEC play. Tennessee will look to take the series with a game two win on Saturday night. The first pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. in Gainesville.
