Tennessee baseball vs Mississippi State: Vanderbilt rematch secured in SEC Tournament

Tennessee baseball secures rematch with Vanderbilt in SEC Tournament after dramatic win against Mississippi State with key contributions from bench.

Tennessee baseball is set for a rematch with Vanderbilt in the SEC Tournament semifinals after a thrilling 6-5 win against Mississippi State. The Vols, ranked No. 1, showcased the depth of their bench and bullpen, with Blake Burke hitting a crucial go-ahead solo homer in the eighth inning.

Reese Chapman, who came off the bench as designated hitter, made a significant impact with a key walk in the seventh inning that led to a game-tying run. Chapman also doubled, scored a run, and singled in the ninth, highlighting his versatility and clutch performance.

The Vols' bullpen was stellar, shutting down Mississippi State's offense for 4⅔ innings after a rocky fifth inning. Andrew Behnke, Aaron Combs, Kirby Connell, and Nate Snead combined to keep the Bulldogs off the scoreboard, with Combs and Behnke striking out multiple batters.

Despite a tough fifth inning that saw Drew Beam give up the lead, Tennessee showed resilience and determination to bounce back and secure the victory. Tensions ran high during the game, with emotions flaring between the dugouts, adding an extra layer of intensity to the matchup.

Now, the Vols are gearing up for a showdown with Vanderbilt, the team that sent them to the loser's bracket earlier in the tournament. With a chance for redemption and a spot in the SEC Tournament finals on the line, Tennessee is ready to bring their A-game and continue their quest for a championship title.

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