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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee rode a six-run eighth inning and a combined seven RBIs from Blake Grimmer and Trent Grindlinger to a 12-6 win over Northern Kentucky Tuesday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Held it down at home. #GBO 🍊 // #OTH pic.twitter.com/zPnwdSGRTz
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) April 8, 2026
After a walk from leadoff man Garrett Wright, Grimmer got the scoring started right away in the bottom of the first inning with a two-run homer to right field, giving the Vols (21-12) an early 2-0 lead.
Welcome to the show…
First career blast for Trent! pic.twitter.com/Ennq5nWdDw
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) April 8, 2026
The redshirt sophomore went yard again in the fifth, marking his first-career multi-homer game. Grimmer has gone deep four times over the last four games after hitting a pair of home runs in last weekend’s series against LSU.
Big orange dub.#GBO 🍊 // #OTH pic.twitter.com/vaY2QUnMoy
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) April 8, 2026
Manny Marin would follow suit in the bottom half of the second inning with a home run of his own, a solo shot into the porches to extend the UT led to three.
Cat like reflexes from Bo! 👀
📺https://t.co/XgQlkBaDLn #GBO🍊 // #OTH pic.twitter.com/gaTrbuhkqj
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) April 8, 2026
Back-to-Back singles from the Norse (13-18) to lead off the top of the third put two runners on with no one out for nine-hole hitter Hunter Friedberg, who stepped in and hit a three-run home run to clear the bases and tie the game.
First career homer for Trent and we can breathe a little easier now!
📺https://t.co/XgQlkBaDLn #GBO🍊 // #OTH pic.twitter.com/NkO2PHX23Y
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) April 8, 2026
Wright came through in the bottom of the fourth inning with an RBI double down the left-field line, bringing Marin around to score to put the Vols back in front. Grimmer stayed red hot in the bottom of the fifth, launching a 422-foot bomb over the bullpen in right field, to make the score 5-3.
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) April 8, 2026
Wright delivered again for the Orange and White in the bottom of the sixth, hitting a seeing-eye single up the middle to bring in Levi Clark from third to add to UT’s lead.
B8 | The pinch hit maestro does it again with a rocket off the right-field wall for a one out double to put runners on second and third with one out.
NKU intentionally walks Wright to load the bases for Chapman before making a pitching change.
Score: 6-6#GBO🍊 // #OTH pic.twitter.com/JHwfL4xWFX
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) April 8, 2026
After two runners reached on consecutive walks in the top of the seventh, NKU hit their second three-run homer of the game to level things up once again at six.
Big K in a big spot by Bo!
📺https://t.co/XgQlkBaDLn #GBO🍊 // #OTH pic.twitter.com/BP8IwdpeOW
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) April 8, 2026
The Big Orange punched back in a big way in the bottom of the eighth. The first two runs of the inning came in to score on a throwing error from the shortstop before Grimmer drove in his fourth run of the game with a single to right field to give his squad a three-run lead.
Couple of punchouts for Tracey as he sets down three straight to end the frame.
📺https://t.co/XgQlkBaDLn #GBO🍊 // #OTH pic.twitter.com/UqkSfrVWL5
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) April 8, 2026
One batter later, Grindlinger delivered the first home run of his career, a three-run blast from the standout freshman to right field to put the final nail in the coffin.
T7 | Deering's outing is a brief one as he gives up a -3run homer on his second pitch. We're tied at 6 🫤
LHP Taylor Tracey takes over on the mound.#GBO🍊 // #OTH
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) April 7, 2026
Bo Rhudy earned the first win of his Tennessee career, posting a scoreless relief outing while striking out three batters over the final 1.2 innings. With the win, UT improved to 9-0 in midweek games this season.
T7 | Sawyer Deering coming on to pitch after back-to-back walks by NKU to start the seventh.
6-3 Vols#GBO🍊 // #OTH pic.twitter.com/gRdIUeNLTK
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) April 7, 2026
UP NEXT: Tennessee will be on the road this weekend as they head down to Starkville for a three-game set against the No. 9 Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field. First pitch for Friday’s series opener is slated for 7 p.m. ET.
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