Clark’s Eighth Inning Grand Slam Powers #2/4 Vols Past Samford

On a crisp spring evening at Lindsey Nelson Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee, the Tennessee Volunteers, ranked No. 2 in the nation by Baseball America and No. 4 by D1Baseball, were in a tightly contested game against Samford University. After a long battle that had seen both teams trade blows, it was a late-game surge led by junior outfielder Clark that propelled the Vols to a 9-5 victory, with his eighth-inning grand slam being the game-changing moment.

This victory was crucial for the Volunteers, who are aiming for another deep postseason run after a successful regular season in 2024. Clark’s heroics highlighted the resilience and depth of this Tennessee team, showcasing their ability to find new ways to win even when the game is on the line.

As the tension in the ballpark built in the later innings, few could have predicted that a single swing of the bat would completely change the dynamic of the game. But Clark’s grand slam in the bottom of the eighth inning not only sealed the win for Tennessee, but it also served as a testament to the team’s unshakeable resolve, even when the game seemed to be slipping away.

The Game Up Until the Eighth Inning

The Vols came into the game against Samford with a strong lineup, but it was evident from the outset that Samford, an underdog in this matchup, would not go down easily. The Bulldogs brought their best against Tennessee, using an aggressive offense and gritty defense to keep the game competitive. From the start, Tennessee’s pitching staff faced challenges, with Samford finding ways to reach base and string together a few scoring opportunities.

The first few innings saw Tennessee struggle offensively, as Samford’s starting pitcher, senior right-hander Josh Morris, kept the Volunteers in check. Morris showed poise and control, despite facing one of the most potent lineups in college baseball. He pitched a strong three innings to begin the game, limiting Tennessee to just one run. On the other side, Samford’s offense found some success, capitalizing on a few Tennessee mistakes to score a pair of runs in the second and third innings. This early back-and-forth had fans on the edge of their seats, wondering if an upset was in the cards.

As the game moved into the later innings, the tension mounted. Tennessee’s starter, junior right-hander Drew Beam, was able to keep his team in the game with solid pitching, but he struggled to go deep into the game, leaving the bullpen to pick up the slack. Samford, meanwhile, continued to battle, taking advantage of several walks and a key RBI single to keep the score close at 5-4 as the game reached the seventh inning.

At that point, the Volunteers were facing a potential loss on their home turf, and it was clear that something special would be needed to push them over the top. Head coach Tony Vitello knew that his team was capable of explosive performances, but he also understood that they were going to have to dig deep and execute in clutch moments to pull out the win.

The Stage is Set: The Eighth Inning

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Tennessee was trailing Samford 5-4, a rare position for the Volunteers, who had built a reputation for their late-inning dominance. The game was hanging in the balance, and it was evident that the Vols needed a spark to ignite the offense and shift momentum back in their favor. Enter junior outfielder Clark, whose presence in the lineup has been one of the keys to Tennessee’s offensive firepower all season.

Clark had already made a few solid plays in the field, but his bat had remained relatively quiet to this point. With the team facing a one-run deficit, the pressure was on for Clark to come through in a big way. It didn’t take long for the moment to arrive.

After a walk and a single put runners on first and second with two outs, Clark stepped to the plate, facing Samford reliever Jake McDaniel. The atmosphere in the ballpark was electric, as the crowd knew that this could be the defining moment of the game. McDaniel, a hard-throwing right-hander, had been solid in relief but was now facing the most dangerous part of Tennessee’s lineup with the game on the line.

Clark worked the count to 2-1, watching a couple of fastballs go by, before McDaniel delivered a pitch that Clark wouldn’t let slip by him. The pitch was a fastball up in the zone—perfect for Clark to unleash his power. With a smooth, controlled swing, Clark made contact, sending the ball soaring deep into the left-center field stands. The crack of the bat was followed by an eruption from the crowd, as it became immediately clear that the ball was gone. A grand slam. A game-changing, season-defining moment that put Tennessee up 8-5.

Clark’s Heroics: A Moment of Redemption

Clark rounded the bases as his teammates greeted him at home plate with high-fives and a celebratory embrace. For a moment, it was as if the weight of the game had shifted entirely in Tennessee’s favor. This wasn’t just a grand slam—it was a statement. Clark, who had been largely quiet offensively in the earlier innings, had come through when it mattered most. His grand slam not only gave Tennessee the lead but it also completely shifted the momentum of the game in their favor.

For Clark, it was a moment of redemption. The Tennessee offense had been stifled for much of the game by Samford’s pitching staff, but Clark’s big swing showed his ability to rise to the occasion. His clutch performance in the eighth inning was a microcosm of the team’s larger identity—unwavering, poised, and able to perform under pressure.

The Vols had been battling for the entire game, and with Clark’s grand slam, they were in full control. The Bulldogs were stunned, and their bullpen quickly unraveled after the slam, giving up another run in the bottom of the eighth to make it 9-5.

Tennessee’s Bullpen Shuts the Door

After Clark’s grand slam, the focus shifted to Tennessee’s bullpen, which had struggled earlier in the game but had now been given a solid cushion to work with. Relievers Camden Sewell and Ben Joyce, both known for their electric stuff, were called in to close out the game and preserve the victory.

Sewell, who had been one of Tennessee’s most reliable arms, took the mound in the top of the ninth. He quickly set the Samford side down in order, using his sharp slider and fastball to dominate the hitters. Sewell’s performance was key, as it allowed the Volunteers to maintain control of the game and keep Samford from mounting any kind of late-game rally.

Joyce, who has one of the most devastating fastballs in college baseball, entered the game with the opportunity to close it out. With his blazing 100-plus mph heat, Joyce didn’t give Samford any chance to threaten, striking out the side and ending the game with a flourish.

The Aftermath: A Critical Win for Tennessee

The win over Samford was more than just another victory for Tennessee—it was a critical test of their resilience. While Samford might not be one of the top teams in the country, they proved to be a formidable opponent, giving the Vols all they could handle. Tennessee had to fight for this one, and in the end, it was Clark’s grand slam that put the game out of reach.

The victory not only helped Tennessee maintain its place near the top of the SEC standings but also provided valuable experience for the players as they head into tougher conference matchups. For Clark, the grand slam could be a defining moment in his season, and it may also serve as a turning point for Tennessee’s offense, reminding them of their ability to break through and dominate when they need it most.

As Tennessee continues its pursuit of an SEC title and a potential berth in the College World Series, games like these—where they have to dig deep, battle adversity, and come through in clutch moments—will be invaluable. Clark’s grand slam was a testament to the Vols’ never-say-die attitude, and it provided fans with yet another reason to believe that Tennessee is a legitimate contender in college baseball in 2024.