SCORE: Tennessee 5, Auburn 4 | FINAL (11 innings)
***SCROLL DOWN FOR LIVE AT-BAT BY AT-BAT FEED***
No. 12 Tennessee baseball (36-10, 13-9 SEC) is set to battle the No. 10 Auburn Tigers (32-14, 12-10 SEC) Saturday in game two of a three-game series in Knoxville and game two of a makeshift doubleheader.
First pitch to resume game two in Lindsey Nelson Stadium will be at 1:00 p.m. ET on SEC Network +.
All three games will be streamed on SEC Network + this weekend. For a full preview of the series, including projected pitching matchups and more, click here.
Tennessee enters game two of the series coming off a 6-1 loss in game one. After playing the top half of the first Friday, inclement weather postponed the rest of the game to Saturday.
Therefore, Liam Doyle could not pitch again the next day. The Vols used five more pitchers to complete the game. Pitching wasn’t the problem in the loss, though, as the offense fell flat. Read how it happened in a sluggish game one below.
RECAP: Tennessee Baseball’s Offense Falls Flat In Series Opener Versus Auburn
Tennessee entered the series contest coming off a narrow midweek win over Northern Kentucky. Before that, the Vols dropped two of three in a weekend series at LSU.
The Vols squandered a 3-0 ninth-inning lead to lose game one, dominated in a 9-3 game two victory and then got blown out, 12-2, in a Sunday rubber match.
The loss dropped Tennessee six spots in the latest D1 Baseball Top 25 poll to No. 12. Additionally, Tennessee has now lost three of its past four series and two straight.
See where Tennessee landed in all five major polls below.
RANKINGS: Where Tennessee Baseball Lands In Rankings After Series Loss to LSU
Following the series loss to LSU, Tony Vitello adjusted the lineup in the midweek contest against Northern Kentucky. Dean Curley seemingly moved to second base in a full-time role while Gavin Kilen moved over to shortstop. That has remained the case this weekend.
Additionally, Kilen moved to the leadoff spot in the lineup and Curley was moved down to the two-hole. That has remained the case so far this weekend.
INFIELD ADJUSTMENT: Tennessee Baseball ‘Knows What’ Its Middle Infield Is Going To Look Like After Tumultuous April
Opponent Scout
After a rough 2024 season, Auburn has bounced back this season and is back as one of the top handful of teams in the SEC. The Tigers lost just two games in the pre-conference slate. UAB got them in a midweek game and a second time last month. Old Dominion also won one game in a three-game series against the Tigers.
Auburn has won five of its seven SEC series to this point in the season but its conference record is just a game above .500 because the Tigers were swept in both series — at Georgia and at Texas. The Tigers have series wins over Alabama, Vanderbilt and a series sweep over LSU.
Auburn’s two best players from last season are back and are its best bats again. Cooper McMurray is hitting .337 with nine home runs, 13 doubles and 40 RBIs. Ike Irish is hitting .329 with 11 home runs, 11 more extra-base hits and 37 RBIs. Four Tigers are hitting over .300 and four have four or more home runs.
On the mound, the Tigers rank 13th in the SEC in team-ERA. Carson Myers and Parker Carlson are Auburn’s top bullpen arms and have been good but not great this season.
Head coach Butch Thompson is in his 10th year at Auburn and boasts a pair of Preseason All-Conference selections in catcher Ike Irish (1st team) and first baseman Cooper McMurray (2nd team). Auburn was picked to finish 12th in the league in the preseason.
Injury/Availability Notes
- In game two against Kentucky, 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 afterward on his jaw.
- Read more about Wiggins’ status HERE.
- UNC transfer first baseman Alberto Osuna remains ineligible.
- But on Monday, Osuna again took legal action still seeking eligibility. Read more HERE.
TRANSCRIPT: What Tony Vitello Said Following Northern Kentucky Win, Previewing Auburn
For all of RTI’s baseball coverage so far this season, click here.
Lineups, pitching matchup and additional pre-game notes are below, followed by the LIVE at-bat by at-bat game thread.
Starting Lineups
TENNESSEE STARTING NINE:
SS Gavin Kilen (L)
2B Dean Curley (R)
1B Andrew Fischer (L)
CF Hunter Ensley (R)
LF Dalton Bargo (L)
DH Levi Clark (R)
RF Reese Chapman (L)
C Cannon Peebles (S)
3B Manny Marin (R)
Lineup Notes:
- It’s Tennessee’s same lineup as game one.
- Gavin Kilen remains at shortstop. Dean Curley at second base.
- Manny Marin starts at third base.
AUBURN STARTING NINE:
2B Chris Rembert (R)
LF Bub Terrell (L)
RF Ike Irish (L)
1B Cooper McMurray (L)
DH Lucas Steele (B)
3B Eric Guevara (R)
SS Eric Snow (R)
C Chase Fralick (L)
CF Bristol Carter (R)
Pitching Matchup:
Vols Jr. RHP Marcus Phillips (3-3, 2.93 ERA, 11 app., 11 starts, 1 CGSO, 55.1 IP, 42 H, 23 R, 18 ER, 21 BB, 68 K, 16 XBH, .206 opp. batting avg., 1.14 WHIP)
vs.
Tigers RHP Cam Tilly (2-1, 4.60 ERA, 13 app., 1 start, 1 SV, 29.1 IP, 16 H, 16 R, 15 ER, 16 BB, 39 K, 6 XBH, .160 opp. batting avg.)
Pitching notes:
- Tilly getting his only second start of the year after Auburn moved Cade Fisher out of the weekend rotation.
- Phillips looking to log another great start after last week’s gem in a 9-3 win over LSU.
Uniforms
Tennessee: Friday whites
Auburn: Navy hats, grey jerseys, grey pants
*NOTES*
- The run-rule is MANDATORY in SEC play. If Tennessee or Auburn leads by 10 or more runs after the seventh inning, the game is over.
GAME THREAD
1st Inning:
T1
-Chris Rembert doubles to right-center field.
-Bub Terrell flies out to center field. Rembert advances to third.
-Ike Irish sends an RBI single to left field.
-Cooper McMurray grounds out to second. Irish advances to third.
Irish steals third
-Lucas Steele slaps an RBI single to right field.
-Eric Guevara strikes out swinging.
END OF TOP HALF
B1
-Gavin Kilen flies out to centerfield.
-Dean Curley walks.
-Andrew Fischer strikes out swinging.
Curley caught stealing, 2-6.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 0, Tigers 2
2nd Inning:
T2
-Eric Snow reaches on a Gavin Kilen throwing error.
-Chase Fralick grounds into a 4-6-3 double play.
-Bristol Carter strikes out swinging.
END OF TOP HALF
B2
-Hunter Ensley singles to right field.
-Dalton Bargo flies out to left field.
-Levi Clark singles to left field. Ensley advances to second base.
-Reese Chapman flies out to left field.
-Cannon Peebles grounds out to pitcher.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 0, Tigers 2
3rd Inning:
T3
-Rembert grounds out to third base.
-Terrell flies out to left field.
-Irish singles to centerfield.
-McMurray grounds out to second base (4-1 put out).
END OF TOP HALF
B3
-Marin doubles to left field.
-Kilen strikes out swinging.
Marin advances to third on a wild pitch.
-Curley walks.
-Fischer walks. Curley advances to second.
-Ensley cracks an two-run single to center. Marin and Curley score. Fischer to third base. Ensley out at second.
*Pitching change: LHP Carson Myers on to pitch for Tilly*
- Mid count (2-0)
-Bargo walks.
-Clark flies out to right field.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 2, Tigers 2
4th Inning:
T4
-Steele walks on 3-2 pitch.
-Guevara chops into 5-4 fielder’s choice.
-Snow singles to right field on a hit-and-run. Curley sells that it was a pop up, keeping Steele at second.
-Fralick walks. Steele advances to third. Snow advances to second.
-Carter lays down a safety squeeze bunt. Phillips gets the out at home. Bases remain loaded.
-Rembert strikes out swinging.
- Massive, massive strikeout from Phillips after a good defensive play. Big inning for the junior.
END OF TOP HALF
B4
-Chapman strikes out swinging on a 3-2 pitch.
-Peebles grounds out to second base.
-Marin flares a single to right field.
-Kilen strikes out swinging.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 2, Tigers 2
5th Inning:
T5
-Terrell strikes out swinging on a 3-2 fastball.
-Irish reaches on a Dean Curley throwing error.
Irish steals second.
*Pitching change: LHP Dylan Loy (4-0, 2.57 ERA, 0.67 WHIP) on to pitch for Phillips*
-McMurray flies out to right field.
Irish steals third.
Irish scores on a ball in the dirt.
- Irish scores thanks to an error, two stolen bases and wild pitch. Ugly way for Tennessee to give up a run there.
-Steele flies out to right field.
END OF TOP HALF
B5
-Curley strikes out swinging.
-Fischer doubles off the wall in centerfield.
-Ensley singles to left field. Fischer advances to third.
-Bargo strikes out swinging.
-Clark strikes out swinging.
- Missed opportunity from Tennessee.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 2, Tigers 3
6th Inning:
T6
-Guevara grounds out to the pitcher.
-Snow grounds out to the pitcher.
-Fralick strikes out swinging.
END OF TOP HALF
B6
-Chapman grounds out first.
-Peebles doubles off the wall in right field.
-Marin strikes out swinging.
-Kilen singles to right field. Peebles out at home, 9-2.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 2, Tigers 3
7th Inning:
T7
-Carter grounds out to third.
-Rembert strikes out looking.
-Terrell strikes out swinging.
END OF TOP HALF
B7
-Curley singles to right field.
-Fischer singles to left field. Curley advances to third base.
*Pitching change: RHP John Armstrong (4.86 ERA, 1.58 WHIP) on to pitch for Myers*
-Ensley strikes out looking.
-Bargo sac fly to left to left to score Curley.
-Clark walks. Fischer advances to second.
Runners advance on a balk.
-Chapman strikes out looking.
- Strands a pair in scoring position.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 3, Tigers 3
8th Inning:
T8
-Irish flies out to centerfield.
-McMurray flies out to left.
-Steele grounds out to shortstop.
- Great play by Gavin Kilen.
END OF TOP HALF
B8
-Peebles beats the shift with a single down the left field line.
-Marin lays down a sac bunt. Peebles to second.
-Kilen strikes out looking.
-Curley walks.
*Pitching change: RHP Parker Carlson (3-1, 3.48 ERA, 0.92 WHIP) on to pitch for Armstrong*
Runners advance on a wild pitch.
-Fischer strikes out on three pitches.
- Strands a pair in scoring position. A common occurrence for Tennessee today.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 3, Tigers 3
9th Inning:
T9
-Eric Guevara doubles to right field.
*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Nate Snead on to pitch for Loy*
*Deric Fabian pinch-running for Guevara*
-Eric Snow flies out to center field.
-Chase Fralick hits a soft RBI single to right field. Fabian scores.
- Hit and run was on
-Bristol Carter sac bunt. Fralick advances to second.
-Chris Rembert walks.
-Terrell grounds into 6-4 fielder’s choice.
END OF TOP HALF
B9
-Ensley grounds out to shortstop.
-Bargo smokes a solo homer to left field.
- Big time clutch bomb from Bargo.
-Clark strikes out swinging after a 10-pitch at-bat.
-Chapman strikes out swinging.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 4, Tigers 4
10th inning
T10
*Game resumes 1 p.m. ET Sunday*
- Ike Irish in a 1-0 count.
*UNIFORM CHANGES*
- Tennessee: Sunday creams
- Auburn: Orange tops, white pants
*Pitching change: Jr. LHP Liam Doyle (7-2, 2.47 ERA) on to pitch for Snead*
- Doyle making his return to the mound after getting robbed of his Friday start two nights ago. Definitely gives Tennessee the best chance to even the series and win the game two thriller.
-Ike Irish walked on four pitches.
-Cooper McMurray grounds out to 1B unassisted. Irish to second.
- Fischer had to dive to make the tag. Wild play.
-Lucas Steele strikes out looking.
-Deric Fabian strikes out looking.
- Doyle is FIRED up.
END OF TOP HALF
B10
*Pitching change: RHP Dylan Watts (2-0, 7.33 ERA) on to pitch for Carlson*
-Cannon Peebles lines out to P.
- Really bad break. Would’ve been a base-hit up the middle but went right into Watts’ glove.
-Manny Marin HBP.
-Gavin Kilen singles to left-center, advances to second on the throw. Marin advances to second, out at third 7-5.
- No idea why Manny went to third. Wasn’t even close.
-Dean Curley grounds out to 3B.
- Nice diving stop by the third baseman.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 4, Tigers 4
11th inning
T11
-Eric Snow strikes out swinging.
-Chase Fralick flies out to RF.
-Bristol Carter doubles to left field.
-Chris Rembert intentionally walked.
Carter steals third.
Carter caught stealing, out at home 1-2-5-1.
- Benches clear as Doyle and Carter have some words after Doyle tags him out. No ejections.
END OF TOP HALF
B11
-Andrew Fischer singles up the middle.
-Hunter Ensley slaps a single to right field.
*Pitching change: LHP Griffin Graves (3-1, 5.52 ERA) on to pitch for Watts*
-Dalton Bargo bunts the runners over, out at first 5-4.
-Levi Clark intentionally walked.
- Bases loaded with one out for Reese Chapman.
*Chris Newstrom pinch-hitting for Reese Chapman*
-Newstrom delivers with an RBI WALK-OFF single up the middle.
END OF GAME
Score: Vols 5, Tigers 4
FINAL: Tennessee Vols 5, Auburn Tigers 4
