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Vols' tournament hopes come to an end
Five-run fifth wins for Gamecocks
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COLUMBIA, S.C. - The rally caps almost worked. Almost.
After keeping their hopes of making the SEC Tournament alive with a win Thursday night, Tennessee's chances of going to Hoover, Ala., ended with a 7-5 loss to South Carolina.
The loss will keep the Vols out of the postseason for the first time since 2006.
"I'm encouraged that we didn't quit. A lot of teams could've quit," Tennessee coach Todd Raleigh said.
"We don't make any errors, we out hit them but we don't win. But we played a good game. We played hard. It went down to the last pitch of the game. Our kids battled hard. That's all you can ask for."
After pounding out 13 runs Thursday night, Tennessee fell behind early thanks to an RBI single by South Carolina's Justin Smoak in the bottom of the first inning off Vols starter Bryan Morgado (5-5). South Carolina (36-19, 14-15 SEC) added to the lead later in the inning on a Phil Disher RBI double to go up 2-0.
But the Vols (27-28, 12-17 SEC) responded with a rally as Danny Lima reached second on a single and error by Gamecocks second baseman Scott Wingo. Lima was brought home by Josh Liles on a long single to left field.
The score would stay at 2-1 until the fifth inning when the Carolina offense exploded for five runs, started by a leadoff solo home run by designated hitter Parker Bangs. Andrew Crisp drove in two with a single to give the Gamecocks a 7-1 advantage.
For the majority of the game, the Vols offense was kept at bay by Gamecock starter Nick Godwin. The senior right-hander tossed 7 1/3 innings, striking out six en route to his first win since being moved to the weekend rotation.
"He did a good job. He threw three pitches for a strike. He didn't throw, he pitched. Kind of the opposite of our guy. Our guy threw hard but didn't pitch. Their guy pitched," Raleigh said of Godwin.
Trailing 7-2 going into the top of the eighth inning, the Vols' looked to have recaptured some of the magic from last night as right fielder Josh Liles hit a three-run homer to pull Tennessee within striking distance at 7-5.
"I was expecting a curve ball and he left it up," Liles said.
The Vols put the tying runners on base in the ninth but couldn't score.
"We played a good game today. We had a lot of young guys do a lot of good things. We're going to be fine," Raleigh said.
"Obviously our season is going to be over (today), but we've still accomplished a lot this year. We've got a lot of good things to look forward to."
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Posted by liveinloudon on May 17, 2008 at 12:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Could not happen to a better guy!! Sorry for the team but happy the "coach" and I use that term loosely is going home!!
Of course he could not finish the interview without pointing out in his sarcastic tone that Morgado had a tough night. He couldn't leave well enough alone
Posted by VolBallFan on May 17, 2008 at 2:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why can't we all admit that Raleigh is a disaster????
He barely played Griffin again tonight, one of UT's best hitters. The guy has a personal agenda, and I hope he's not around next season for us to see it. I'm not a big Delmonico fan, but at least he got us to the tournament last year. Raleigh threw this season away, and he deserves the boot. Actually, he should never have shamed the UT uniform, but we can at least prevent future catastrophes.
Posted by VolBallFan on May 17, 2008 at 2:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Where are all the foolishly optimistic Raleigh-lovers now????????
Are you at home...afraid of admitting that you're wrong?????
Afraid of seeing TR for what he really is????
Sorry Guys, I don't have a crystal ball, I just know LOSER when I see one.
Posted by GreerVol22 on May 17, 2008 at 6:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I suppose the first interception Crompton throws Clawson should be fired too.
Posted by pdhuff on May 17, 2008 at 6:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Just don't know.
Posted by sdye16 on May 17, 2008 at 8:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Coach Raleigh has no control over how well the pitchers throw. Morgado had 5 walks in under 5 innings, 3 coming in the 5th when USC scored 5 runs. Plus he had 2 wild pitches. I would consider that a pretty bad outing, especially this late in the season. Also, what about Frazier being the go-ahead run and WATCHING strike 3 go by? I'm sorry, but that's something that Little Leaguers learn to never do. I've had these thoughts, but now they're out in the open: I don't believe any of you that think Raleigh is not a good coach have ever even played baseball. Just my opinion.
Posted by nivatne on May 17, 2008 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Anyone else find it funny that the article points out it was our first time not to make the postseason since 2006? That was like 2 years ago...so basically, we went to the show last year, and didn't the year before that...wow, way to make it sound alot longer than it really is...guess KNS is hoping some people think it's like 2020...that way, that 2006 bit will make people think that our baseball team is awesome!!!
Posted by Ironcity on May 17, 2008 at 8:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
nivatne I noticed that to and had to read it twice to make sure I didn't miss read it. VolBal its clear you don't like Raleigh but he was put in an awful situation with having to take over for that loser Delmonico. Give Raleigh time to bring in his guys and you will see this team turn it around. By the way, no coach in America abused his pitchers more then Delmonico. Most of the pitchers couldn't even make it through college without major arm surgery. That can happen when a pitcher throws a 140 pitches consistently every time out.
Word was getting out, don't go to UT if you want a pro career as a pitcher.
Posted by tigervol9802 on May 17, 2008 at 9:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ah, and the losers that show up again.
Please tell me loudon moron, how exactly can you determine tone of voice from an article? Would you not say 5 walks (granted a couple of intentonal ones) and a 7 runs in 4 and 2/3 does not qualify as a rough night on the mound?
Posted by 55Vol on May 17, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wrong TouchdownTennessee...Bill Callahan could do a much better job of screw-ups than Fulmer.
Posted by TommyJack on May 17, 2008 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
One season, and many want to vote him off the island...Seems rash.
Posted by BPongVol on May 17, 2008 at 10:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You cannot honestly say Delmonico is a better coach. He had 3 first round draft picks, the most of any school, and squeeks into the SEC tournament. Give this guy time. He's got a good class comming in and if Casey Kelly ends up comming here he could be a star.
Posted by KingsportVol on May 17, 2008 at 12:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't reckon I got any reason to play any more this season.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUfMgc...
Posted by tndrum on May 17, 2008 at 1:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Even Mike Hamilton knew this season was going to be tough, which was one of the reasons the decision was made to pull the trigger when he did on Delmonico. Raleigh was well aware of the potential for this season to be rough when he took the job. I don't know whether the guy can coach or not, but I think it's ridiculous to form an opinion after a season of him coaching Rod's players. You got to remember that Bruce Pearl is the extreme exception, not the rule. Baseball programs just don't turn around in one season unless there's also an influx of superstar pitching along with the new coach. Raleigh deserves to at least have one recruiting class show up before he's dissected into tiny bits. Besides, there's lots of young talent on that squad to be excited about. K. Davis is worth the price of admission.
Posted by pdhuff on May 17, 2008 at 7:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
TJ, some people are on their 10th "one season" with a pocketful of free passes, pass go and collect 38K!
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