SCORE: Tennessee 9, LSU 3 | FINAL (Series tied 1-1)

***SCROLL DOWN FOR LIVE AT-BAT BY AT-BAT FEED***

No. 6 Tennessee baseball (34-8, 12-7 SEC) is set to battle the No. 7 LSU Tigers (35-8, 13-6 SEC) Saturday night in game two of a three-game series in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

First pitch in Alex Box Stadium is at 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

Game three of the series will also be televised (SEC Network).

For a full preview of the series, including projected pitching matchups, notable storylines and a prediction, click HERE.

Tennessee enters Saturday’s game coming off a gut-wrenching 6-3 loss on Friday in which LSU scored all six runs in the bottom of the ninth, unearned.

Dean Curley committed two costly errors on ground balls that should have ended the game, then LSU star Jared Jones later made Tennessee pay with a walk-off three-run homer.

Read about Tennessee’s heartbreaking series-opening loss HERE.

DEVELOPMENT: Tennessee Baseball’s Dean Curley Defensive Question Comes To A Head In Opening Loss At Lsu

Prior to Friday, Tennessee run-ruled Lipscomb 11-1 in a midweek contest.

The midweek win served as a bounce back from a home series loss to Kentucky a week ago. After a dominant game one win thanks to another Liam Doyle gem, Tennessee’s offense fell flat in back-to-back games. The Vols scored just three combined runs in games two and three as Kentucky pulled off the upset.

With the series loss, Tennessee dropped two spots in this week’s D1 Baseball Top 25 rankings. See where Tennessee landed in all five major polls below.

RANKINGS: Where Tennessee Baseball Ranks Following Series Loss Against Kentucky

With the way last weekend went, Tennessee needed to be more competitive this weekend at the plate. While the Vols largely struggled against LSU lefty ace Kade Anderson in game one, Gavin Kilen, Andrew Fischer and Reese Chapman all had two hits apiece.

Tennessee should have the 1-0 lead in the series right now, but after last night’s collapse, all the attention turns to game two, where Saturdays haven’t been kind to Tennessee as of late. The Vols have dropped three straight game twos due to starting pitcher Marcus Phillips giving up too many stolen bases and the defense committing too many mistakes to overcome.

Saturday night is a big game for Phillips to try and bounce back after a string of forgettable outings.

Prediction: LSU clinches the series Saturday.

Injury/Availability Notes

• In last Saturday’s game, a foul ball unfortunately hit Tennessee relief pitcher Tanner Wiggins in the mouth. Tony Vitello said there were teeth involved in Wiggins’ injury, and the sophomore underwent surgery over the weekend on his jaw.
  • Read more about Wiggins’ status HERE.
• Brayden Krenzel is OUT all weekend with an illness, the same illness he dealt with last weekend. He is progressing, though, and could be back next weekend.
• UNC transfer first baseman Alberto Osuna remains ineligible.

TRANSCRIPT: Everything Tony Vitello Said After Tennessee Baseball Blows Late Lead At LSU

For all of RTI’s baseball coverage so far this season, click here.

For the latest RTI Diamond Pass podcast, including a full reaction of Tennessee’s series loss to Kentucky and what it means, click here.

VIDEO: Tony Vitello Talks Series-Opening Loss at LSU

Lineups, pitching matchup and additional pre-game notes are below, followed by the LIVE at-bat by at-bat game thread.

TENNESSEE STARTING NINE: 

DH Dean Curley (R)

2B Gavin Kilen (L)

1B Andrew Fischer (L)

CF Hunter Ensley (R)

RF Reese Chapman (L)

LF Dalton Bargo (L)

C Cannon Peebles (S)

3B Manny Marin (R)

SS Ariel Antigua (R)

Lineup Notes:

• Dean Curley goes to DH after Friday’s defensive miscues. First time he has DH’d all season long.
• Manny Marin takes over at third with Curley at DH. Ariel Antigua stays at shortstop.
• Kilen logging his third straight game back at in the field at second base.

LSU STARTING NINE: 

LF Derek Curiel (L)

1B Jared Jones (R)

DH Josh Pearson (L)

2B Daniel Dickinson (R)

RF Jake Brown (L)

SS Steven Milam (R)

3B Michael Braswell III (R)

C Cade Arrambide (R)

CF Chris Stanfield (R)

Pitching Matchup:

Vols Jr. RHP Marcus Phillips (2-3, 2.96 ERA, 10 app., 10 starts, 1 CGSO, 48.2 IP, 39 H, 21 R, 16 ER, 17 BB, 62 K, 13 XBH, .214 opp. batting avg., 1.15 WHIP)

vs.

Tigers Jr. RHP Anthony Eyanson (6-1, 3.52 ERA, 10 app., 10 starts, 53.2 IP, 45 H, 24 R, 21 ER, 21 BB, 83 K, 13 XBH, .224 opp. batting avg., 1.24 WHIP)

Pitching notes:

• Eyanson is a good arm that has had a solid season to date.
• Look to see how LSU exploits Phillips’ problems keeping runners at bay. Phillips has mostly been solid outside of allowing base-runners to steal at will on him.

Uniforms

Tennessee: Orange shirts, grey pants

LSU: Pinstripes with purple caps

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*NOTES*

• The run-rule is MANDATORY in SEC play. If Tennessee or LSU leads by 10 or more runs after the seventh inning, the game is over.

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GAME THREAD

1st Inning: 

T1

-Dean Curley strikes out looking on three pitches.

-Gavin Kilen bloops a single to left field after an 12-pitch at-bat.

• Tremendous at-bat from Kilen ends in a base-hit.
• One of the longer ABs I can remember from a Tennessee hitter this season. Maybe THE longest.

-Andrew Fischer flies out to CF.

• Fantastic diving catch by LSU CF Chris Stanfield. Robs Fischer of a base-hit.

-Hunter Ensley strikes out swinging on three pitches.

END OF TOP HALF

B1

-Derek Curiel grounds out to 2B.

-Jared Jones strikes out swinging.

-Josh Pearson strikes out swinging.

• Strong first inning from Phillips. Important.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 0, Tigers 0

2nd Inning: 

T2

-Reese Chapman flies out to RF.

-Dalton Bargo flies out to CF in left-center.

-Cannon Peebles works a walk.

-Manny Marin strikes out swinging.

END OF TOP HALF

B2

-Daniel Dickinson grounds out to P.

• Ball hit Marcus’ glove so hard it fell off his hand. Phillips was able to then pick it up and make the throw to first.

-Jake Brown grounds out to SS.

-Steven Milam grounds out to 1B unassisted.

• 6-pitch inning for Phillips. Looks really good to start in Baton Rouge.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 0, Tigers 0

3rd Inning: 

T3

-Ariel Antigua singles off the left-field wall.

• Nearly a homer. Ball was smashed. Bounced right off the wall into Curiel’s glove preventing a double.
• Probably the furthest Antigua has hit a baseball in a Tennessee uniform.

Antigua steals second.

• LSU HC Jay Johnson arguing Curley interfered on the throw. Looked like he stayed in the box throughout the process on the replay.

-Dean Curley strikes out looking.

-Gavin Kilen out at first 1B to P. Antigua to third.

-Andrew Fischer intentionally walked.

-Hunter Ensley strikes out looking.

END OF TOP HALF

B3

-Michael Braswell III is walked.

• First baserunner for LSU tonight.

-Cade Arrambide grounds out to 1B unassisted on a bunt. Braswell III to second.

• Arrambide was not happy that Fischer decided to tag him in the baseline rather than throw him out. Was jawing while walking back to the LSU dugout.

-Chris Stanfield grounds out to SS. Braswell III to third.

• Really nice play by Ariel.

-Derek Curiel strikes out swinging.

• 100 mph heater for strike three.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 0, Tigers 0

4th Inning: 

T4

-Reese Chapman doubles down the LF line.

-Dalton Bargo slaps a single to shallow center. Chapman to third.

-Cannon Peebles drops an RBI single in left-center. Bargo to second, Chapman scores.

-Manny Marin flies out to RF. Bargo to third.

• Jake Brown caught it at the wall. So close to a three-run homer.

Tennessee challenged the ruling that the ball was caught, thinking the ball hit the wall first. The call was upheld.

-Ariel Antigua RBI groundout, out at first 1-4-3. Bargo scores. Peebles to second.

• Eyanson wanted to turn a 1-4-3 double play. But Peebles got a really good jump so the play wasn’t able to be made at second. Still got Antigua at first.
• Poor decision from Eyanson. Could’ve thrown home.

-Dean Curley fouls out to 1B.

END OF TOP HALF

B4

-Jared Jones strikes out swinging.

-Josh Pearson strikes out swinging.

-Daniel Dickinson is walked.

-Jake Brown grounds out to P on a bunt.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 2, Tigers 0

5th Inning: 

T5

-Gavin Kilen knocks a double off the left-center wall.

-Andrew Fischer pops up to 2B in shallow right-center.

-Hunter Ensley works a walk.

-Reese Chapman strikes out swinging.

Kilen caught stealing third, 2-5. Strike ’em out, throw ’em out.

Tennessee challenged the ruling at third. Call STOOD. No more challenges for Tennessee.

• Looked safe on replay and Kilen was adamant. Suppose they saw Kilen come off the bag. Was a bang-bang play.

END OF TOP HALF

B5

-Steven Milan doubles to left field.

• First hit of the game for LSU.

-Michael Braswell III pops up to 2B in shallow right-center after a nine-pitch at-bat.

*Ashton Larson pinch-hitting for Cade Arrambide*

Milam advances to third on a wild pitch.

Larson fouled a ball off his shin that went to Kilen at second. Was initially ruled an RBI groundout, but it’s a foul ball after review.

-Ashton Larson is walked.

*Mic Paul pinch-running for Larson*

Pop-up dropped by Kilen in foul territory. Bad mistake.

-Chris Stanfield flies out to RF. Milam held at third.

-Derek Curiel grounds out to P on a bunt.

• Terrific throw from Marcus to beat the speedy Curiel.

LSU CHALLENGED the ruling of out at first. Call STOOD.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 2, Tigers 0

6th Inning: 

T6

*Luis Hernandez to C for Paul*

-Dalton Bargo strikes out swinging.

-Cannon Peebles strikes out swinging.

-Manny Marin works a walk after an 11-pitch at-bat.

• Great AB from Manny to get Eyanson’s pitch count up to 110.

*Pitching change: RHP William Schmidt (6-0, 3.95 ERA) on to pitch for Eyanson*

-Ariel Antigua works a walk.

Antigua and Jared Jones jawing back-and-forth at first base.

*Pitching change: RHP Mavrick Rizy (0-0, 4.19 ERA) on to pitch for Schmidt*

-Dean Curley works a walk.

• Bases loaded with two outs for Gavin Kilen. Big moment here.

-Gavin Kilen grounds out to SS to strand ’em loaded.

END OF TOP HALF

B6

-Jared Jones flies out to RF.

-Josh Pearson works a walk.

-Daniel Dickinson pops up to SS.

-Jake Brown grounds out to 2B.

• Phillips continues his very strong night.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 2, Tigers 0

7th Inning: 

T7

-Andrew Fischer works a leadoff walk.

• Battled back from down 0-2. Got four straight balls.

-Hunter Ensley slaps a single to center. Fischer to second.

*Pitching change: LHP DJ Primeaux (0-0, 4.91 ERA) on to pitch for Rizy*

-Reese Chapman reaches on a bunt single to C.

• Excellent bunt, catcher Luis Hernandez failed to pick up the ball but would’ve been a tough play regardless.
• Bases loaded with no outs for Dalton Bargo.

-Dalton Bargo strikes out swinging.

• Third-base ump said he went around for strike three. Close call but looked like he didn’t quite go around.

*Pitching change: RHP Chase Shores (5-2 5.44 ERA) on to pitch for Primeaux*

• Bases loaded with one out for Cannon Peebles.

-Cannon Peebles knocks a sac fly to LF to score Fischer.

Runners advance on a wild pitch.

-Manny Marin lines out to SS.

• Very hard-hit ball but right to Milam.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

B7

-Steven Milam ropes a solo homer to right field.

• No doubter on the first pitch of the inning.

-Michael Braswell III crushes a solo homer to left field.

• Back-to-back jacks for LSU. Two runs on three pitches this inning.

-Luis Hernandez strikes out swinging.

-Chris Stanfield fouls out to C.

*Pitching change: So. LHP Dylan Loy (4-0, 2.60 ERA) on to pitch for Phillips*

Marcus Phillips Final Line: 6.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 6 K, 100 TP (60 Strikes)

-Derek Curiel grounds out to 2B.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 3, Tigers 2

8th Inning: 

T8

-Ariel Antigua HBP.

-Dean Curley grounds out to 3B. Antigua to second.

• Nice play by Braswell III on a high chopper.

-Gavin Kilen singles through the left side. Antigua to third.

Kilen steals second.

Andrew Fischer intentionally walked.

• 2nd time tonight for Fischer.
• Bases loaded with one out for Hunter Ensley.

-Hunter Ensley RBI HBP. Antigua scores.

• Bases loaded with one out for Reese Chapman.

*Pitching change: LHP Cooper Williams (0-1, 1.64 ERA) on to pitch for Shores*

-Reese Chapman strikes out swinging.

-Dalton Bargo chops a two-run single through the right side to score Fischer and Kilen. Ensley to third.

• Awkward chopper eats up Jones and it goes into the outfield. Two runs score as a result. Huge insurance runs.

-Cannon Peebles launches a three-run homer to left field.

• Another big homer for Peebles this year.
• 9th HR on Peebles’ season.

*Pitching change: RHP Grant Fontenot on to pitch for Williams*

-Manny Marin grounds out to SS.

END OF TOP HALF

B8

-Jared Jones grounds out to SS.

*John Pearson pinch-hitting for Josh Pearson*

-John Pearson smokes a solo homer to left field.

-Daniel Dickinson grounds out to SS.

*Ethan Frey pinch-hitting for Jake Brown*

-Ethan Frey reaches on a fielding error by SS.

• Ball took a weird hop right before reaching Ariel. Antigua uncharacteristically misjudged it allowing Frey to reach.

-Steven Milam strikes out swinging.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 9, Tigers 3

9th Inning: 

T9

*Frey to RF*

-Ariel Antigua HBP.

-Dean Curley flies out to RF.

-Gavin Kilen grounds out to SS. Antigua to second.

-Andrew Fischer strikes out looking on three pitches.

END OF TOP HALF

B9

-Michael Braswell III grounds out to P.

-Luis Hernandez grounds out to 3B.

-Chris Stanfield grounds out to 2B.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 9, Tigers 3

END OF GAME

FINAL: Tennessee Vols 9, LSU Tigers 3