Blake Grimmer’s Walk‑Off Two-Run Homer Lifts Vols Past USC Upstate
Image: Kate Luffman/Tennessee Athletics
By Aidan Sidoti
No. 21 Tennessee (18-7, 3-3 SEC) stayed perfect in midweek action Tuesday night, taking down USC Upstate (12-14, 3-3 Big South) 4-2 thanks to a walk‑off two‑run blast from redshirt sophomore Blake Grimmer in the ninth.
It sure wasn’t easy for the Vols.
Tennessee starter Taylor Tracey struggled to find the zone, failing to escape the first inning after issuing three walks and allowing a run. The Vols turned to Brady Frederick, who threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings, before sophomore Nic Abraham followed with 3 1/3 shutout frames of his own to keep the game within a run.
Offensively, it gets increasingly frustrating watching this team swing the bat. Tennessee didn’t scratch across a run until the seventh, when sophomore Blaine Brown delivered with the bases loaded and two outs, lining a two‑run single into right‑center to give the Vols their first lead of the night.
USC Upstate didn’t fold, tying the game in the eighth on a couple of doubles from Preston Lucas and Trey Bentley.
In the ninth, a Garrett Wright walk and a Chris Newstrom fielder’s choice brought Grimmer to the plate with the winning run aboard. One swing later, the ball was launched 391 feet to right-center, and Tennessee walked it off to remain undefeated in midweek play.
The Vols now turn their attention to a pivotal SEC road test, traveling to Nashville for a three‑game series against in‑state rival Vanderbilt, beginning Friday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
