NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee baseball’s offense fell flat as the Vols dropped their series finale at Vanderbilt 3-0 on Sunday afternoon.

Led by JD Thompson, Vanderbilt’s pitching staff became the first team to shut out Tennessee all season long. Here’s everything to know about the series finale loss.

A Poor Outing For Zander Sechrist

Tennessee baseball needed a strong outing from starting pitcher Zander Sechrist after exhausting a good chunk of its reliable bullpen arms int he first two games of the weekend series.

Things couldn’t have started better for Sechrist as the left-handed pitcher struck out the first two Vanderbilt batters he faced.

But things went poorly from there for the left-handed pitcher. RJ Austin gave Vanderbilt a two-out baserunner with a single to right field and then Alan Espinal took Sechrist deep for a two-run homer an at-bat later.

Vanderbilt added another run in the second inning when a Jonathan Vastine blooper dropped in right field for a two-out RBI single.

Tennessee went to the bullpen to open the third inning making it a three-run, two inning outing for Sechrist. The lack of offensive production compounded the issue but it was still a poor outing for Sechrist.

JD Thompson Tosses A Gem For Vanderbilt

Sunday’s matchup was the only game that Vanderbilt didn’t announce its starting pitcher before the series. But JD Thompson one upped already strong outings from Bryce Cunningham and Carter Holton the first two games of the weekend series.

The left-handed pitcher came out dialed in striking out the side in the top of the first inning. It jumpstarted what was a fantastic outing for Thompson. He allowed just two hits while striking out nine Vols in six shutout innings. His one shortcoming was a somewhat shaky command— three walks and two hit batters. But it mattered little as he worked his way out of the few tight spots he found himself in.

Tennessee didn’t oft threaten against Thompson. The Vols came their closest to adding a run in the fifth inning when Hunter Ensley worked a leadoff walk and Dean Curley was hit-by a pitch. But then Thompson struck out both Robin Villeneuve and Cal Stark before getting a Christian Moore fly out to get out of the inning.

Vanderbilt needed a series finale win to salvage the weekend badly. Thompson answered the bell and held down a fantastic Tennessee offense.

More From RTI: Play-By-Play Of Tennessee Baseball’s Series Finale Loss At Vanderbilt

Strong Nate Snead Outing Keeps Tennessee In Striking Distance

After throwing just three pitches to get the final two outs of game two of the weekend series, Tennessee called upon Nate Snead to relieve Sechrist has he’s done almost every weekend this season.

Snead turned in a strong long relief outing in the series finale, allowing no runs on five hits and one walk in 4.1 innings of relief. The flame throwing right hander struck out four Commodores batters in what was a stout appearance.

The transfer pitcher showed the importance of Tennessee using his versatility out of the bullpen over the weekend as he both closed a game and was an effective long reliever.

Snead’s strong outing was good enough to keep Tennessee within striking distance but it mattered little on a quiet afternoon for the Vols’ offense.

Box Score

Up Next

Tennessee baseball returns to Lindsey Nelson Stadium on Tuesday night where they will face the Belmont Bruins. First pitch for the final midweek game of the season is at 5 p.m. ET. SEC Network+ is streaming the game.

The Los Angeles Chargers added a former Tennessee Titans edge rusher, inking Bud Dupree to a two-year deal, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Dupree, a first-round pick in 2015, spent last season with the Atlanta Falcons after two years with the Titans. During his time in Tennessee, he recorded seven sacks, eight tackles for loss and 17 quarterback hits, starting 17 of his 22 games.

After his release from the Titans, Dupree went South to Atlanta where he started all 16 games he played in, recording 6.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss. He hit the open market once again, considering a reunion with the Pittsburgh Steelers and re-signing with the Falcons, but ultimately ending up in Los Angeles.

Dupree will now be part of a three-man rotation with Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack. At 31-years-old, he’ll enter his 10th NFL season, looking to add to his 53 career sacks.

Make sure you bookmark All Titans for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — It was a beautiful day for folks to get out and enjoy the 83rd running of the Iroquois Steeplechase!

Thousands of people were out on Saturday ready to enjoy the race and have some fun! The event is an annual tradition around here.

“It’s kind of like the right of passage of Nashville and it’s an exciting place to be. Everyone comes and they’re happy. We welcome all the newcomers as well,” Spectator Nancy Gregg said.

The annual race, known as Nashville’s “rite of spring”, always brings out the masses. People also put on some of their best outfits.

“You go to Michaels the night before; have a cocktail and get the hot glue and you go to town,” Gregg jokingly said.

Before the races start, people usually tailgate. “Just remember if you get caught drinking at steeple better know the right people,” Brian Horowitz jokingly adds.

For some of these folks this is their first time “I graduated law school last week, so Brian brought me for my first year,” Caitlyn Moss said.

Horowitz said this wasn’t his first rodeo. “In high school we would come out here and jump the fences. Now, we come out here with real tickets, so kind of graduated from the other side,” Horowitz said.

Everyone in attendance says the races are a lot of fun to watch, but it’s also about making memories with loved ones.

Also, raising money for charity. This year’s event is once again benefiting Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

Since 1981, the hospital has received more than 11 million dollars in proceeds from Steeplechase’s governing body, The Volunteer State Horsemen’s Foundation.