Tennessee (22-12, 5-8 SEC) opened a three-game baseball series at No. 8 Mississippi State (26-8, 7-6 SEC) on Friday. The Vols won Game 1, 6-5, at Dudy Noble Field in Starkville, Mississippi.

Cam Appenzeller (5-0) pitched five innings in relief for Tennessee and earned his fifth win of the season. He totaled eight strikeouts and 78 pitches (54 strikes) against 19 batters.

Tennessee recorded 11 hits in the series opener, including one home run each from Levi Clark and Henry Ford.

The Vols have won nine straight games against Mississippi State, dating to 2021, including a road series sweep in 2022.

Saturday’s Game 2 between the Vols and Bulldogs is scheduled for 7 p.m. EDT on Saturday, while a series finale will take place at 2 p.m. EDT on April 12.

Mississippi State leads the all-time baseball series against Tennessee, 60-39. The Bulldogs are 37-16 in games contested in Starkville.

More: Where to watch Tennessee-Mississippi State baseball: TV, streaming

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This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Cam Appenzeller records eight strikeouts in win at Mississippi State