Tennessee baseball tumbles in College World Series opener vs. LSU, Paul Skenes
OMAHA, Neb. − If Tennessee baseball had any dreams that it would have more success against Paul Skenes in its second time against him, the LSU ace turned those visions into nightmares Saturday.
Skenes silenced the Vols' lineup, rendering Tennessee largely lifeless in its College World Series opener. Tennessee tumbled into the elimination side of its CWS bracket with a 6-3 loss to the Tigers (49-15) at Charles Schwab Field.
The Vols (43-21) face Stanford (44-18) on Monday (2 p.m. ET, ESPN) to try and avoid going two-and-out.
Paul Skenes isn't a normal pitcher
Jared Dickey slashed a liner to third in the first, but right at Tigers' third baseman Tommy White. Dickey nodded his head on his way back to the dugout, feeling good after the at-bat.
But Tennessee couldn't crack Skenes until the eighth inning when Christian Scott doubled with one out and scored on a Maui Ahuna single to chase Skenes. Hunter Ensley had two singles off Skenes, including a first-inning infield single preceding Dickey's lineout.
Skenes (13-2) plowed through Tennessee's lineup, striking out 12 in 7⅔ innings. He allowed two runs on a walk and five hits. He struck out Dylan Dreiling as a pinch-hitter in the eighth, his 200th strikeout of the season.
Skenes struck out 12 in seven innings against Tennessee on March 30. He allowed one run on five hits and a walk.
Hunter Ensley had a day
LSU turned to Gavin Guidry after getting Skenes out in the eighth. Ensley promptly punished the freshman, crushing a hanging breaking ball for a two-run homer to center.
Ensley followed his first-inning infield single with a fourth-inning single to left after Skenes set down eight in a row between the hits.
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Tennessee will have a mostly fresh bullpen against Stanford
Vols starter Andrew Lindsey wasn't good nor was he bad. He allowed two runs on five hits with a walk in 3⅔ innings. But the leash was short given the opponent on the mound and coach Tony Vitello turned to the bullpen early.
Aaron Combs got a key out before Seth Halvorsen came in with mixed results. Camden Sewell threw an inning and AJ Russell got the final out of the eighth.
UT will surely start Chase Dollander on Monday and will have Chase Burns as the main arm in the bullpen. But key cogs like Halvorsen and Sewell should be available.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee baseball tumbles in College World Series vs. LSU, Paul Skenes
