Tennessee (24-17) fought back, kept fighting, and then kept fighting even more.

But ultimately the Volunteer rally fell short as they dropped an 11-9 decision to the ETSU Buccaneers on Wednesday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

"I really thought we were going to come back and win that game,"  Vols head coach Todd Raleigh said. "But you just can't spot anybody 10 runs. The double-plays killed us, but you just can't spot anybody 10 runs."

ETSU (12-29) built a 10-0 advantage through the first three innings thanks to four home runs, including a solo-home run, a pair of two-run shots and a three-run homer. However, the Volunteer bullpen allowed only one run on one hit in the last 6 2/3 innings.

Steve Crnkovich took the loss as the Vols to fell to 5-5 on the year after allowing six runs on six hits in two innings pitched.

Shawn Griffin led the Vols from the plate, going 4-for-4 with three RBIs and two home runs.

"Our hitters came through, we hit the ball real well," Griffin said. "Ty'Relle [Harris] came in and pitched well, but getting down 10-nothing was too much to come back from."

Griffin began the Volunteer rally in the third inning with a solo home run.

Designated hitter P.J. Polk belted his second homer of the year in the fourth, a two-run shot over the right field wall. Griffin continued his stellar performance with a two-run homer, cutting the lead to 10-5 in the fourth.

In the seventh, Cody Brown sent the Vols third two-run homer of the game over the left field wall to bring his team within three, but the Vols eventually ran out of at-bats.

Griffin scored the Vols last run of the game in the eighth on a double-play ball.

The loss to ETSU is the second of the season as the Vols lost 10-9 at ETSU on April 9. Next, the Vols hit the road for a weekend series against Mississippi State. Friday's start time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Action gets underway at 3 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.