Ariel Antigua’s web gem was the highlight of the night in Tennessee’s series-opening win over Kentucky on Friday night in Knoxville.
With Tennessee in control of the game at 7-2 in the top of the eighth inning, Kentucky DH Kyuss Gargett roped a ground ball up the middle. Antigua, playing the shortstop position, made a full-extension diving stop to trap the ball on the outskirts of the infield. The 5-foot-8 sophomore bounced up and fired the one-hopper over to first base to record the second out of the inning.
Tennessee’s crowd roared in applause after the completion of the play.
Ariel Antigua with the play of the night.pic.twitter.com/cQgXmzIrGN
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) April 19, 2025
More from RTI: Liam Doyle ‘Learning To Pitch’ And ‘Blossoming’ For Tennessee Baseball
No. 4 Tennessee defeated Kentucky 8-2 to open up the series with a win on Friday night. UT starting pitcher Liam Doyle struck out nine batters in seven innings of work as Tanner Franklin came in to record the final six outs of the game.
The Vols used the longball to secure the early series advantage on Friday with a trio of home runs in the back half of the game. Dean Curley knocked a solo homer to center field in the fifth inning to put Tennessee up 4-2, while Cannon Peebles hit a pair of home runs in the sixth and eighth innings to bring the Vols up to 8-2.
Tennessee will look to capture the series victory over the Wildcats in Game 2 on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. ET. Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for live, on-site coverage of the game from Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
