Zane Denton's pushes Tennessee baseball to Kentucky series win

Tony Vitello burst from the dugout and ended up by first base. The Tennessee baseball coach had to get to Zane Denton, who had made his second late-game highlight.

The third baseman slugged a two-run double in the seventh, then stole a hit from Kentucky's Hunter Gilliam with a diving stop in the hole with two runners on to Vitello's joy.

"It shocked me a little bit," said Denton, who was knocked over by teammate Blake Burke in the madness. "There was a lot that happened in that little amount of time. I made the play and next thing I know I was on the ground."

Tennessee took the series from Kentucky, winning 10-7 after holding off a late comeback Saturday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

"That was the biggest defensive play for either team today and somehow he stumbled down to the ground, but when he is between the lines he's pretty graceful," Vitello said of Denton.

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No. 20 Tennessee (35-16, 14-12 SEC) has won nine straight home games in SEC play and 11 straight at home overall. UT has won three straight SEC series at home after taking the first two games from No. 16 Kentucky (34-15, 14-12).

The Vols will chase another home sweep Sunday (1 p.m. ET, SEC Network+). The Vols won 10-6 on Friday in the series opener.

Jared Dickey walloped a fourth-inning grand slam, his second of the season. The Vols outfielder came back with an opposite-field single in the seventh for his eighth multi-hit game in UT's past 10 games.

Kavares Tears pinch-hit for Dickey in the eighth. Dickey slid hard into home after getting in a rundown. He grabbed his right shoulder, but stayed in the game defensively in the eighth.

Vitello said Tennessee opted to be safe rather than sorry with Dickey, who is hitting a team-best .352.

"Regardless of what his status is, I think his presence is still going to bring value to the team and then we’ll see when we need to get him back out there," Vitello said.

Chase Dollander was cruising toward his third quality start in his past four outing before his afternoon was derailed by cramps and doubles in the sixth. The junior, who might have made his final start at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, struck out six in 5-plus innings. He allowed three runs on five hits and two walks.

"I think he is getting confidence in all of his pitches back and being able to throw them in any count," Denton said.

Dollander (6-5) has been steady in his past four starts outside of an illness-affected three-inning effort against Mississippi State on April 28. He allowed three runs on eight hits with three walks in six innings, striking out six at Georgia on May 6. He allowed one run in seven innings with nine strikeouts against Vanderbilt on April 22.

Maui Ahuna worked a five-pitch walk Friday to spark Tennessee's seven-run third inning. Burke did the same Saturday, earning a five-pitch walk to launch UT into a four-run second.

"There's a bunch of different ways you can help a team win," Vitello said.

Burke got on before four consecutive singles − a Christian Moore liner to left, a Griffin Merritt blooper to center, a Denton rope to center, and a Christian Scott bunt single. Ahuna slapped a two-run single to left to make it a 4-0 lead. UT had five singles in the inning after Burke's leadoff walk.

Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike's coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.