No. 1 Tennessee Defeats South Carolina 7-5: Cannon Peebles’ 9th-Inning Homer Seals Series Victory
In a thrilling conclusion to their weekend series, the No. 1-ranked Tennessee Volunteers pulled out a dramatic 7-5 win over South Carolina on Sunday, thanks to a clutch two-run home run by Cannon Peebles in the ninth inning. The victory not only secured the series for the Vols but also showcased the resilience and power of their lineup in a tightly contested battle.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams exchanging leads throughout. Tennessee’s offense came alive early, scoring three runs in the first two innings, but South Carolina fought back, pushing ahead with a four-run rally in the fourth. However, Tennessee refused to back down, and with the score tied at 5-5 in the top of the ninth, Peebles delivered the decisive blow.
With two outs and a runner on base, Peebles crushed a pitch over the left-field wall, giving Tennessee a 7-5 lead. The home run not only put the Vols ahead for good but also gave Peebles a moment to shine in front of a roaring crowd, cementing his place as one of the team’s key offensive weapons.
Tennessee’s bullpen held firm in the bottom of the ninth, with reliever Zach Staley closing out the game with a scoreless inning. The win improved the Volunteers’ record to 22-1 on the season, further solidifying their grip on the top spot in the national rankings.
For South Carolina, despite a strong effort from their offense, the loss was a tough pill to swallow. They fought valiantly throughout the game but ultimately came up short in the decisive final inning.
The victory was Tennessee’s second consecutive series win over a ranked opponent, and the Vols will look to build on their momentum as they head into their next series. For South Carolina, they will aim to regroup and rebound in their upcoming games.
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