Top-ranked Tennessee fell for the first time since early March, falling to Tennessee Tech, 3-2, Tuesday evening at Smokies Stadium.
Tennessee (31-2) struck first, scoring a pair of runs in the third inning. Drew Gilbert plated Jorel Ortega with a single through the left side. Then Gilbert came around to score on an error from Tennessee Tech's third baseman.
Tennessee Tech (18-12) scratched a run across in the top of the fifth, connecting on three-straight two-out hits. Their big shot came in the sixth inning when Eric Newsom hit a booming home run to center field to give the Golden Eagles a 3-2 advantage.
TTU was lifted by a big day from Carter Gannaway.
The right-handed reliever tossed 5.2 innings and struck out nine, while not allowing a hit. He found success mixing speeds and keeping the Tennessee hitters off balance all evening.
The Vols would give themselves chances, leaving nine runners on base, but could not deliver the equalizer.
The Big Orange struck out 15 hitters in total. Ben Joyce punched out six hitters in his two innings of work. Blade Tidwell, starting his second game this season, struck out the side in the opening frame.
Tennessee returns to Lindsey Nelson Stadium for a three-game set with No. 24 Alabama. Friday, the Vols kick off the series at 6:30 p.m., followed by start times of 6 p.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
With a crowd of 8,183 on hand for Tuesday night's game, the Vols and Golden Eagles broke the attendance record at Smokies Stadium.
The Volunteer pitching staff retired 15 TTU hitters via the strikeout. It marks the seventh time this season UT has punched out 15 or more opposing batsmen.