SCORE: Tennessee 6, Vanderbilt 10 | FINAL (Series tied 1-1)
***SCROLL DOWN FOR LIVE AT-BAT BY AT-BAT FEED***
No. 15 Tennessee baseball (39-11, 15-10 SEC) is set to battle the No. 11 Vanderbilt Commodores (34-16, 14-11 SEC) Saturday in game two of a three-game series in Knoxville.
First pitch in Lindsey Nelson Stadium will be at 5:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.
ESPN2 will have the broadcast for game three.
For a full preview of the series, including projected pitching matchups, a prediction and more, click HERE.
Tennessee enters the game coming off a thrilling 3-2 series-opening win on Friday. Liam Doyle gave up just three hits and no walks in a scoreless seven innings pitched. The hard-throwing lefty dealt 12 strikeouts and threw 100 pitches, logging yet another dominant SEC start.
Hunter Ensley was also massive in the Vols’ win. The redshirt-senior went 2-4 at the plate and pulled off a brilliant slide to score a run in the seventh. He also made a ‘game-saving’ catch at the centerfield wall and made a sliding catch to end the game.
HERO: ‘Great Player. Great Leader’: Do It All Hunter Ensley Invaluable For Tennessee Baseball
HUMAN HIGHLIGHT REEL: Hunter Ensley Puts Together Extensive Highlight Reel in Series-Opening Win Over Vanderbilt
Tennessee entered the series struggling in SEC play, desperately needing a series win. The Vols have dropped four of the last five series and three straight at home, a first in the Tony Vitello era. Tennessee will aim to end that streak with a series-clinching win Saturday.
Friday was a good start to the weekend for the Vols. It puts them in much better position to avoid the NCAA Regional hosting bubble. A series win over Vandy should all but clinch that.
BRACKETOLOGY: Tennessee Baseball Projected To Face SEC Rival In Super Regionals Of Latest NCAA Tournament Projection
The Auburn series loss dropped Tennessee three spots in the latest D1 Baseball Top 25 poll to No. 15.
See where Tennessee landed in all five major polls below.
RANKINGS: Where Tennessee Baseball Ranks After Dropping Third Straight Series
Opponent Scout
The Commodores enter the series with the same 14-10 SEC record as Tennessee, but they’ve done it differently. Vanderbilt has swept three opponents and has been swept by another. They’ve alternated series victories and losses the last six weekends with a thrilling home series win over Alabama last weekend.
Vanderbilt has a strong pitching staff. Out of the bullpen, Sawyer Hawks has posted a 1.26 ERA in 35.2 innings pitched and Alex Kranzler has posted a 3.38 ERA in 32 innings pitched.
Vanderbilt once again boasts an underwhelming offense. The Commodores rank outside the top 180 nationally in on-base percentage and outside the top 150 nationally in slugging percentage. But there are a few bats to know. Riley Nelson is hitting .361 with 17 extra-base hits. Brodie Johnson has blasted a team-best 10 home runs and 25 extra-base hits.
The most worrisome thing for Tennessee is how often Vanderbilt steals bases. RJ Austin has swiped 20, Jacob Humphrey has 16, Rustan Rigdon has 14 and Mike Mancini has 13. Tennessee pitchers largely struggle containing runners once they get on.
Tennessee has dominated the series against its in-state rival over the past three seasons, having won 10 of the 12 meetings between the two in that span, including nine consecutive victories prior to dropping the series finale in Nashville last season.
The Vols and Commodores faced off five times last year, including twice in Hoover. UT went 3-2 in those games, including a 6-4 win in the SEC Tournament semifinals en route to winning its second conference title in three years.
Prediction: Vanderbilt’s ability to steal bases at a high rate and great pitching staff worry me. On paper, Vanderbilt is the pick to win games two and three. But, ‘if not now, when?’ is where we’re at with this Tennessee team. It played determined baseball Friday, and I think they can eek out a series win.
It probably has to come Saturday, though, as Tennessee will likely struggle offensively against Vanderbilt’s Sunday starter, and the Vols’ Sunday pitching hasn’t been good as of late.
Vols win two of three (win Saturday).
Injury/Availability Notes
- RHP AJ Russell is dealing with a blister and was not listed as the probable starter for Sunday. But he should be good to pitch this weekend as he was not listed on the availability report.
- Not naming a Sunday starter also leaves the door open for Tennessee to start Tegan Kuhns who was great a week ago.
- 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 last Monday, Osuna again took legal action still seeking eligibility. Read more HERE.
TRANSCRIPT: Everything Tennessee HC Tony Vitello Said Following Series-Opening Win Over Vanderbilt
For all of RTI’s baseball coverage so far this season, click here.
For the latest RTI Diamond Pass podcast recapping the Auburn series and looking at what’s at stake this weekend, click HERE.
VIDEO: WATCH: Tony Vitello Talks Series-Opening Win Over Vanderbilt
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)
1B Andrew Fischer (L)
CF Hunter Ensley (R)
LF Dalton Bargo (L)
2B Dean Curley (R)
RF Reese Chapman (L)
3B Manny Marin (R)
C Cannon Peebles (S)
DH Chris Newstrom (R)
Lineup Notes:
- Curley stays in the five-hole. Top five of the order remain the same as its been the last three games.
- Chris Newstrom gets the DH nod over Abernathy and Clark after putting together an impressive 12-pitch at-bat Friday.
- Manny Marin stays at third, Cannon stays behind the plate.
VANDERBILT STARTING NINE:
2B Rustan Rigdon (S)
CF RJ Austin (R)
1B Riley Nelson (L)
3B Brodie Johnston (R)
LF Braden Holcomb (R)
C Mac Rose (L)
SS Jonathan Vastine (L)
RF Jacob Humphrey (R)
DH Mike Mancini (L)
Pitching Matchup:
Vols Jr. RHP Marcus Phillips (3-3, 3.02 ERA, 12 app., 12 starts, 1 CGSO, 59.2 IP, 47 H, 26 R, 20 ER, 23 BB, 72 K, .211 opp. batting avg., 1.17 WHIP)
vs.
Commodores Jr. RHP Cody Bowker (2-4, 4.50 ERA, 12 app., 12 starts, 54.0 IP, 44 H, 28 R, 27 ER, 24 BB, 73 K, .216 opp. batting avg., 1.26 WHIP)
Pitching notes:
- Phillips bump day. He was average a week ago and great the week prior.
- Dylan Loy shoved in a 3.2-inning relief performance last Saturday. Tennessee has a full bullpen behind Phillips today.
- Bowker is Vandy’s worst weekend starter right now. He has a couple of good-to-great performances but has mostly been mediocre.
- Doesn’t go far into games either. Has pitched more than 5.0 innings in SEC play just once (Auburn).
Uniforms
Tennessee: Home Whites (in an orange-out…)
Vanderbilt: Black & gold pinstripes
*NOTES*
- The run-rule is MANDATORY in SEC play. If Tennessee or Vanderbilt leads by 10 or more runs after the seventh inning, the game is over.
GAME THREAD
1st Inning:
T1
-Rustan Rigdon HBP.
- First pitch of the game. Hit him in the foot.
Rigdon steals second.
- Expect that a lot against Phillips today. Vandy steals A TON.
Rigdon steals third.
-RJ Austin sends an RBI groundout to 2B.
-Riley Nelson grounds out to 2B.
- Really, really nice play by Curley. Good charge to get it then great throw to first.
-Brodie Johnston flies out to LF in left-center.
- Wind pushed it all the way to center field almost. Blowing out and to the right.
END OF TOP HALF
B1
-Gavin Kilen fouls out to LF.
-Andrew Fischer works a walk.
-Hunter Ensley smokes a two-run homer off the videoboard.
-Dalton Bargo strikes out swinging.
-Dean Curley legs out an infield single to 3B.
- Dribbled it to the left of the mound. Third baseman grabbed it with his bare-hand and fired to first but the throw was just late.
-Reese Chapman strikes out swinging on three pitches.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 2, Commodores 1
2nd Inning:
T2
-Braden Holcomb strikes out swinging.
-Mac Rose strikes out looking on three pitches.
-Jonathan Vastine grounds out to 1B unassisted.
END OF TOP HALF
B2
-Manny Marin pops up to 2B.
-Cannon Peebles fouls out to 3B.
-Chris Newstrom singles to left field.
-Gavin Kilen flies out to LF.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 2, Commodores 1
3rd Inning:
T3
-Jacob Humphrey doubles to left-center.
-Mike Mancini strikes out swinging on three pitches.
Humphrey steals third.
- Close call but Tennessee isn’t challenging.
-Rustan Rigdon bounces an RBI groundout to SS.
-RJ Austin lines out to LF.
END OF TOP HALF
B3
-Andrew Fischer pops up to SS.
-Hunter Ensley strikes out swinging.
-Dalton Bargo strikes out swinging.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 2, Commodores 2
4th Inning:
T4
-Riley Nelson singles up the middle.
-Brodie Johnston strikes out swinging after an 11-pitch at-bat.
Nelson steals second.
-Braden Holcomb drives a two-run homer to right-center.
AJ Russell is stretching in the Tennessee bullpen.
-Mac Rose strikes out swinging after a 9-pitch at-bat.
-Jonathan Vastine singles to 1B.
- Looked like Andrew Fischer and Marcus Phillips thought it was going to go foul.
- Vastine beats Phillips on the tag. Phillips was slow to cover the bag thinking it was foul.
-Jacob Humphrey HBP. Vastine to second.
-Mike Mancini slaps an RBI single to center. Humphrey to second. Vastine scores.
- Things are unraveling for Phillips here in the fourth.
*Pitching change: So. LHP Brandon Arvidson (2-0, 4.57 ERA) on to pitch for Phillips*
Runners steal second and third.
- Humphrey just beat Peebles’ throw to third.
-Rustan Rigdon strikes out looking.
- Big K to strand the pair from Arvidson.
END OF TOP HALF
B4
-Dean Curley flies out to right-center.
-Reese Chapman strikes out swinging.
-Manny Marin singles through the left side.
-Cannon Peebles pops up to 2B in shallow right field.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 2, Commodores 5
5th Inning:
T5
-RJ Austin flies out to RF.
- Reese Chapman with an INCREDIBLE face-planting diving catch in shallow right along the foul line.
-Riley Nelson doubles to left-center.
-Brodie Johnston strikes out swinging.
Nelson advances to third on a balk.
-Braden Holcomb drops an RBI single in right field.
- Blooper to right-center. Was a big at-bat there.
Holcomb steals second.
-Mac Rose strikes out swinging.
END OF TOP HALF
B5
-Chris Newstrom out at first 1B to P.
-Gavin Kilen doubles off the centerfield wall.
-Andrew Fischer flies out to CF.
-Hunter Ensley is walked on four pitches.
*Pitching change: So. LHP Miller Green (1-2, 4.66 ERA) on to pitch for Bowker*
-Dalton Bargo delivers an RBI single up the middle to score Kilen. Ensley to second.
- Much-needed run for UT.
-Dean Curley drives an RBI single up the middle to score Ensley.
-Reese Chapman strikes out swinging.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 4, Commodores 6
6th Inning:
T6
-Jonathan Vastine works a leadoff walk.
*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Austin Breedlove (3-0, 2.75 ERA) on to pitch for Arvidson*
Vastine advances to second on a throwing error by P, failed pickoff attempt.
-Jacob Humphrey singles to center. Vastine to third.
- Don’t know why Vastine didn’t go home he would’ve been safe.
*Pitching change: So. LHP Dylan Loy (4-0, 2.88 ERA) on to pitch for Breedlove*
-Mike Mancini strikes out swinging.
Humphrey steals second.
-Rustan Rigdon is walked on a full count.
- Bases loaded with two outs for RJ Austin.
*Pitching change: Jr. RHP AJ Russell (0-1, 4.82 ERA) on to pitch for Loy*
-RJ Austin knocks a two-run single to left field. Rigdon to second.
- Bargo tried to make a sliding catch but didn’t get there in time.
-Riley Nelson smacks an RBI single to right field. Austin to second. Rigdon scores.
-Brodie Johnston reaches on a fielder’s choice by SS. Nelson out at second, 6-4. Austin to third, scores on a throwing error by 2B.
- Should’ve been a 6-4-3 double play. But Curley’s throw to first was not even close. Far right and allows Austin to score.
- Yet another bad throw by Curley this season leading to runs for the opposition…
-Braden Holcomb strikes out swinging.
END OF TOP HALF
B6
*Pitching change: So. RHP Luke Guth (0-0, 1.26 ERA) on to pitch for Green*
*Colin Barczi to C for Mac Rose*
-Manny Marin grounds out to SS.
-Cannon Peebles strikes out swinging.
-Chris Newstrom strikes out looking after a 10-pitch at-bat.
- A K but Newstrom continues to work really good at-bats.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 4, Commodores 10
7th Inning:
T7
-Colin Barczi flies out to RF.
-Jonathan Vastine strikes out swinging.
-Jacob Humphrey flies out to CF in right-center.
END OF TOP HALF
B7
*Pitching change: Sr. RHP Sawyer Hawks (4-0, 1.26 ERA) on to pitch for Guth*
-Gavin Kilen punishes a solo homer to right field.
- No. Doubter.
- Kilen stared it down as it quickly exited the ballpark.
- Kilen’s 14th HR of the season.
-Andrew Fischer hammers a solo homer off the batter’s eye.
- 460 feet, 99 mph.
- Another no doubter.
- Fischer’s 18th HR of the season.
- Sawyer Hawks had given up 1 HR all season. He’s Vandy’s closer. Tennessee seeing him really well.
-Hunter Ensley singles up the middle.
-Dalton Bargo strikes out swinging.
-Dean Curley grounds into a 6-4-3 double play.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 6, Commodores 10
8th Inning:
T8
-Mike Mancini works a leadoff walk.
-Rustan Rigdon strikes out looking.
Mancini caught stealing, 2-6.
- Throw was a bit errant but Kilen did an incredible job applying the tag on Mancini’s foot before he touched the base on his slide.
Vanderbilt challenged the ruling and the call was UPHELD.
-RJ Austin strikes out swinging.
END OF TOP HALF
B8
-Reese Chapman strikes out swinging.
-Manny Marin HBP.
-Cannon Peebles flies out to CF.
-Chris Newstrom flies out to RF.
- Tremendous diving catch by Vandy RF Jacob Humphrey to rob Newstrom of an RBI extra-base hit.
- Caught it in deep right field along the foul line.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 6, Commodores 10
9th Inning:
T9
-Riley Nelson flies out to CF.
-Brodie Johnston strikes out swinging.
-Braden Holcomb HBP.
*David Mendez pinch-running for Braden Holcomb*
Mendez caught stealing second, 2-4.
- Got him by a long shot.
END OF TOP HALF
B9
*Mendez to LF*
*Pitching change: So. LHP Ethan McElvain (1-3, 7.33 ERA) on to pitch for Hawks*
-Gavin Kilen grounds out to 3B.
- Hit into the shift.
-Andrew Fischer strikes out swinging.
-Hunter Ensley flies out to CF.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 6, Commodores 10
END OF GAME
FINAL: Tennessee Vols 6, Vanderbilt Commodores 10
