SCORE: Tennessee 5, Vanderbilt 7 | FINAL (Vandy wins series 2-1)
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No. 15 Tennessee baseball (39-12, 15-11 SEC) is set to battle the No. 11 Vanderbilt Commodores (35-16, 15-11 SEC) Sunday in game three of a three-game series in Knoxville.
First pitch in Lindsey Nelson Stadium will be at 3:00 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
For a full preview of the series, including projected pitching matchups, a prediction and more, click HERE.
Tennessee enters the game coming off a 10-6 series-evening loss on Saturday. Marcus Phillips struggled once again to contain the run game and Vanderbilt took advantage. Defensive miscues also plagued Tennessee once again, leading to a pair of big innings for the Commodores.
The Vols won game one in a 3-2 thriller. Liam Doyle shoved in a 7.0-inning start, allowing no runs, no walks and just three hits. Hunter Ensley played hero in all facets of the game with two incredible catches and a tremendous slide at home plate to score a run late. Watch all of Ensley’s highlights HERE.
Read recaps of games one and two of the series below.
GAME ONE RECAP: Tennessee Baseball Takes Series Opener Over Vanderbilt In Pitcher’s Duel
GAME TWO RECAP: Tennessee Baseball Drops Game Two Of Weekend Series Against Vanderbilt
Tennessee came into the weekend 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 Sunday. A series win would put them in much better position to avoid the NCAA Regional hosting bubble.
BRACKETOLOGY: Tennessee Baseball Projected To Face SEC Rival In Super Regionals Of Latest NCAA Tournament Projection
Last weekend’s 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.
Vanderbilt’s Saturday win over Tennessee marked the Commodores’ first in Knoxville since the 2021 series finale.
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 game and three. But, ‘if not now, when?’ is where we’re at with this Tennessee team. It played determined baseball Friday then struggled again Saturday.
If Tegan Kuhns, Brayden Krenzel and Nate Snead all pitch well, I think the offense can do enough to win.
Vols win the series
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 last Monday, Osuna again took legal action still seeking eligibility. Read more HERE.
TRANSCRIPT: Everything Tennessee HC Tony Vitello Said Following Series-Evening Loss Against 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-Evening Loss to 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)
3B Dalton Bargo (L)
2B Dean Curley (R)
DH Blake Grimmer (L)
LF Levi Clark (R)
C Cannon Peebles (S)
RF Chris Newstrom (R)
Lineup Notes:
- Really intriguing lineup from Tennessee.
- Blake Grimmer’s first SEC start, getting the nod at DH.
- Levi Clark starting in left field, his first start of the weekend.
- Chris Newstrom stays in the lineup but is starting in right field, OVER Reese Chapman.
- First game ALL SEASON Chapman has not started.
- Dalton Bargo moves to third with Clark starting in left. Manny Marin goes to the bench as a result.
- Cannon Peebles behind the dish for the the third straight game. Seven straight SEC starts for Peebles.
VANDERBILT STARTING NINE:
2B Rustan Rigdon (S)
CF RJ Austin (R)
1B Riley Nelson (L)
3B Brodie Johnston (R)
LF Braden Holcomb (R)
C Colin Barczi (R)
SS Jonathan Vastine (L)
RF Jacob Humphrey (R)
DH Mike Mancini (L)
Pitching Matchup:
Vols Fr. RHP Tegan Kuhns (2-2, 3.94 ERA, 12 app., 7 starts, 29.2 IP, 32 H, 16 R, 13 ER, 12 BB, 31 K, 9 XBH, .267 opp. batting avg., 1.48 WHIP)
vs.
Commodores So. RHP Connor Fennell (5-0, 3.20 ERA, 13 app., 6 starts, 1 CG, 1 SV, 39.1 IP, 25 H, 14 R, 14 ER, 9 BB, 72 K, 13 XBH, .176 opp. batting avg., 0.86 WHIP)
Pitching notes:
- Tegan Kuhns gets his first Sunday start in a couple weeks after AJ Russell pitched 3.2 innings of relief in Saturday’s loss.
- After a couple bad performances, Kuhns was really good in 4.1 innings last week in game one vs. Auburn. It was a makeshift start, as Kuhns was the pitcher once the game resumed on Saturday after being suspended Friday.
- Fairly full bullpen behind Kuhns today. Russell and Arvidson are probably the only ones that won’t pitch.
- Fennell is a unique pitcher. He has an awkward arm slot and throws junk. Not a high-velo guy.
- The K/9 numbers are great, and he’s mostly been great in SEC play.
- Fennell IS coming off his worst SEC outing, giving up 5 runs in 5.1 IP last week vs. Alabama.
- Fennell also pitches very quickly and doesn’t make eye contact with hitters, something Tony Vitello really hates.
Uniforms
Tennessee: Dark Mode
Vanderbilt: White shirts and pants with black accents
*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 strikes out looking.
-RJ Austin singles to center.
Austin advances to second on a muffed throw by 1B, failed pickoff attempt.
RJ Austin steals third, scores on a throwing error by C.
-Riley Nelson strikes out swinging.
-Brodie Johnston strikes out looking.
END OF TOP HALF
B1
-Gavin Kilen flies out to LF.
-Andrew Fischer launches a solo homer off the videoboard.
- 351 feet, 105 mph.
- Fischer’s 19th HR of the season.
- Some words between Fischer and Vandy’s starters as he rounds the bases. Both coaches came out of the dugouts and both teams got a warning.
-Hunter Ensley grounds out to SS.
-Dalton Bargo strikes out swinging.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 1, Commodores 1
2nd Inning:
T2
-Braden Holcomb grounds out to 3B.
-Colin Barczi smokes a solo homer off the videoboard.
-Jacob Humphrey strikes out swinging.
END OF TOP HALF
B2
*David Mendez to RF for Jacob Humphrey*
-Dean Curley reaches on a fielding error by 2B.
- Ground ball ate up Rustan Rigdon.
-Blake Grimmer strikes out swinging on three pitches.
-Levi Clark doubles to left field. Curley to third.
- First pitch of the AB.
-Cannon Peebles lines a sac fly to CF.
Clark advances to third on a wild pitch.
-Chris Newstrom strikes out swinging.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 2, Commodores 2
3rd Inning:
T3
-Mike Mancini flies out to LF.
-Rustan Rigdon flies out to LF.
-RJ Austin sends a single to right field.
Austin advances to second on a throwing error by P, failed pickoff attempt.
- Second pickoff error today. Both times trying to pickoff Austin.
-Riley Nelson works a walk.
Austin steals third. Nelson caught stealing second, 2-4.
END OF TOP HALF
B3
-Gavin Kilen flies out to CF.
-Andrew Fischer grounds out to P.
-Hunter Ensley works a walk.
-Dalton Bargo singles to right field. Ensley to third.
- High enough to beat the shift.
-Dean Curley flies out to CF.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 2, Commodores 2
4th Inning:
T4
-Brodie Johnston flies out to CF in right-center.
-Braden Holcomb grounds out to 3B.
*Pitching change: Fr. RHP Brayden Krenzel (2-0, 3.63 ERA) on to pitch for Kuhns*
-Colin Barczi singles off of Krenzel’s leg.
-Jonathan Vastine reaches on a fielder’s choice to 2B. Barczi out at second, 4-6.
- Great play by Dean Curley. Makes a sliding stop up the middle then fires to second while sitting down just in time.
END OF TOP HALF
B4
*Pitching change: Fr. RHP England Bryan (0-0, 4.91 ERA) on to pitch for Fennell*
-Blake Grimmer singles through the right side.
-Levi Clark flies out to RF.
-Cannon Peebles HBP. Grimmer to second.
-Chris Newstrom strikes out swinging.
-Gavin Kilen grounds out to P.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 2, Commodores 2
5th Inning:
T5
-David Mendez grounds out to 2B.
- Another great defensive play from Curley. Great charge to field a ball up the middle then makes an accurate throw to first on the run.
-Mike Mancini works a walk.
Mancini steals second.
-Rustan Rigdon drives an RBI single through the left side.
Rigdon caught stealing second, 2-4. Overslid the bag.
- Tim Corbin argued Dean pushed Rigdon off the bag.
Vanderbilt challenged the ruling and the call was upheld.
-RJ Austin strikes out swinging.
END OF TOP HALF
B5
*Pitching change: LHP Levi Huesman (1-0, 3.48 ERA) on to pitch for Bryan*
-Andrew Fischer pops up to 1B.
- Nice play by Vandy first baseman Riley Nelson. Had to run backward and make a tough catch.
-Hunter Ensley slaps a single to right field.
-Dalton Bargo singles to left field. Ensley to second.
-Dean Curley drives an RBI single up the middle. Bargo to third.
- Nice weekend overall for Curley at the plate.
-Blake Grimmer fouls out to C on a bunt.
- Really weak and ugly pop up. Decision to bunt backfires big time.
*Pitching change: So. RHP Luke Guth (1-0, 1.17 ERA) on to pitch for Huesman*
-Levi Clark reaches on a fielder’s choice to SS. Curley out at second, 6-4.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 3, Commodores 3
6th Inning:
T6
-Riley Nelson flies out to CF in left-center.
*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Tanner Franklin (1-1, 4.60 ERA) on to pitch for Krenzel*
-Brodie Johnston strikes out swinging on three pitches.
-Braden Holcomb triples off the top of the right-field wall.
- Newstrom tried to make a jumping catch. Got his glove on it but couldn’t come down with it.
-Colin Barczi hammers a two-run homer off the videoboard.
*Pitching change: So. LHP Dylan Loy (4-0, 3.20 ERA) on to pitch for Franklin*
*WEATHER DELAY FROM 5:13 P.M. ET – 7:14 P.M. ET*
The game is now on ESPNNEWS.
-Jonathan Vastine crushes a solo homer to left field.
- No doubter
- 2nd deck of the left-field porches.
-David Mendez flies out to RF.
- Nice running catch by Newstrom
END OF TOP HALF
B6
*Pitching change: So. RHP Alex Kranzler (6-1, 3.62 ERA) on to pitch for Guth*
-Cannon Peebles grounds out to 3B.
-Chris Newstrom grounds out to 2B.
- Incredible play by Vandy 2B Rustan Rigdon.
- Dove to make the stop up the middle, then beat Newstrom with his throw.
Tennessee challenged the play and the ruling was upheld.
-Gavin Kilen HBP.
-Andrew Fischer destroys a two-run homer over the videoboard.
- Fischer’s 20th HR of the season. 2nd of the game.
- 386 feet, 105 mph
- Massive one. Vols cut the lead to one.
-Hunter Ensley fouls out to C.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 5, Commodores 6
7th Inning:
T7
*Manny Marin to 3B for Chris Newstrom*
*Bargo to RF*
-Mike Mancini strikes out looking.
-Rustan Rigdon flies out to RF at the warning track.
*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Nate Snead (3-1, 3.51 ERA) on to pitch for Loy*
-RJ Austin works a walk.
-Riley Nelson flies out to CF.
END OF TOP HALF
B7
*Pitching change: So. LHP Miller Green (1-2, 4.58 ERA) on to pitch for Kranzler*
-Dalton Bargo singles to 1B.
- Pitcher was late covering the bag, should’ve been a 3-1 putout. Bargo also did a great job legging it out. Fast dude.
Bargo advances to second on a passed ball.
-Dean Curley grounds out to 3B.
-Blake Grimmer grounds out to SS. Bargo to third.
-Levi Clark HBP.
-Cannon Peebles flies out to LF at the warning track.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 5, Commodores 6
8th Inning:
T8
-Brodie Johnston strikes out swinging.
-Braden Holcomb pops up to 1B in shallow right field.
-Colin Barczi flies out to RF at the warning track.
END OF TOP HALF
B8
*Pitching change: So. LHP Ethan McElvain (1-3, 7.03 ERA) on to pitch for Green*
-Manny Marin flies out to LF.
-Gavin Kilen flies out to CF at the warning track in left-center.
- Hit to the deepest part of the park.
-Andrew Fischer strikes out looking.
- Awful strike three call. Was clearly low.
- Bad luck for Tennessee that inning. Manny and Kilen each got a barrel on one and then Fischer gets rung up on a bad call.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 5, Commodores 6
9th Inning:
T9
-Jonathan Vastine strikes out looking on three pitches.
-David Mendez strikes out looking.
-Mike Mancini cranks a solo homer to left field.
- Second deck of the left-field porches.
-Rustan Rigdon flies out to CF.
END OF TOP HALF
B9
-Hunter Ensley singles to right-center.
- Tying run at the plate.
-Dalton Bargo pops up to 3B.
-Dean Curley singles through the left side. Ensley to second.
- Winning run at the plate.
*Jay Abernathy pinch-running for Curley*
-Blake Grimmer flies out to CF at the warning track.
- Feet away from a walk-off.
-Levi Clark works a walk.
- Bases loaded with two outs for Cannon Peebles.
*Colby Backus pinch-running for Levi Clark*
- Backus is the winning run.
-Cannon Peebles strikes out swinging.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 5, Commodores 7
END OF GAME
FINAL: Tennessee Vols 5, Vanderbilt Commodores 7
