Blake Burke leads No. 1 Vols past Georgia

No. 1 Tennessee (44-6, 21-4 SEC) opened its final Southeastern Conference home series with a victory Thursday.

Freshman designated hitter Blake Burke had three hits, including two home runs, to lead the Volunteers to a 5-2 victory over No. 22 Georgia at Lindsey Nelson Stadium before an announced crowd of 4,580.

Burke went 3-for-4 and had solo home runs in the fourth and seventh innings against the Bulldogs (32-17, 13-12 SEC).

Trey Lipscomb hit a home run in the second inning for the Vols’ first run.

Georgia tied the game, 1-1, in the third inning, when Cole Tate hit a solo home run.

Jordan Beck hit into an RBI groundout, increasing Tennessee’s lead to 2-1. Burke’s home runs extended the Vols’ advantage to 4-1.

Tennessee starter Chase Dollander (7-0) earned the win, pitching six innings. He allowed one run and three hits, while striking out six.

He gave way to Chase Burns, who pitched 1.2 innings. Burns yielded one run and two hits, while striking out three.

Closer Redmond Walsh recorded the final four outs of the contest to earn his sixth save of the season. He struck out one.