Eastern Kentucky University sophomore right fielder Michael Garcia launched a grand slam in the top of the 10th inning and held off a bottom-of-the-inning rally to defeat the University of Tennessee 8-7. Garcia’s blast came on a 2-2 count with two outs in the inning. Sophomore right-handed reliever Matt Harris, who entered the game in the bottom of the tenth with the bases loaded and two runs already in, walked in one run before inducing a groundout to end the game.

Junior third baseman Jayson Langfels was 3-5 with a home run, two runs scored and one RBI in the game, and sophomore shortstop Richie Rodriguez drove in two runs for the Colonels. Junior right-handed reliever Ryne Purcell recorded the win despite surrendering three runs in the bottom of the tenth, and Harris was credited with his first save of the season. EKU improved to 2-2 on the season. (Box Score)

Pleasure Ridge Park alum and former Little League World Series champion alum Zach Osborne was 1-5 with a run scored in the game for UT.

BluGrass Baseball POG: Michael Garcia — While Jayson Langfels kept the Colonels in the game through regulation play, Garcia’s grand slam was clearly the play that put EKU over the top. Garcia was just 1-4 in the game, and the home run was just his second hit of the season in 15 at-bats.