Thursday, March 01, 2001

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 28) -- Tennessee's pitching staff combined for 12 strikeouts and Chris Burke slugged his fourth home run of the season as the Volunteers extended their winning streak to five games with an 8-1 victory over the East Tennessee State Buccaneers to improve to 10-1 on the season.

Senior Will Curtiss (1-0) picked up his first career win after pitching two shutout innings in relief of starter Justin Parker who allowed one run in four innings. Parker recorded seven strikeouts in his first start of the season.

Following Ryan McKinney's double, that put the Buccaneers (3-8) on the board in the top of the second, the Vols picked up five runs on three hits in the bottom of the frame. The rally was keyed by a two-run home run by Burke, a two-run double by Hunter Rigsby and a Buc error. Burke's four home runs this season matches his career high set last year.

Burke plated Tennessee's sixth run in the fourth after he singled, stole two bases and scored on the second ETSU error.

The Vols added single runs in the seventh and eighth on a double Hal Bibee and a groundout by Burke, respectively.

Stevie Daniel also extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a single in the seventh.

Bryan Crouse (0-1) suffered the loss for the Bucs.

Tennessee will play Cal State Fullerton in the Kia Baseball Bash, Friday at 10 p.m. ET