SCORE: Tennessee 15, Alabama 10 | FINAL (Tennessee moves on to 3rd round vs. Texas)

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

No. 21 Tennessee baseball (41-15, 16-14 SEC) is set to battle No. 23 Alabama (41-15, 26-14 SEC) Wednesday in a round two matchup in the SEC Tournament from Hoover, Alabama.

First pitch in Hoover Met Stadium will be at approximately 2:15 p.m. ET on the SEC Network.

For a full preview of the game, click HERE.

This is Tennessee’s first game in the tournament and Alabama’s second. The ninth-seeded Tide defeated 16-seed Missouri 4-1 on Tuesday to advance. Tennessee is the eighth seed in the tournament.

This year’s tournament is single elimination. Therefore, the loser of the game goes home while the winner advances to play No. 1 Texas on Thursday at 4 p.m. ET.

The reigning SEC champions enter Wednesday’s contest coming off a series loss to Arkansas to close the regular season. The Vols won game one 10-7 behind an incredible offensive day, but pitching struggles plagued UT in an 8-6 game two loss and 8-4 game three loss.

The pair of losses put Tennessee’s NCAA Regional hosting chances in serious doubt, whereas if the Vols would’ve won the series in Fayetteville, they would likely be playing in Knoxville next weekend.

BRACKETOLOGY: Where Tennessee Baseball Projects To Land In NCAA Tournament Entering Conference Tournament Week

Now, Tennessee must make a deep run in the SEC Tournament to have a shot at hosting, given the fact UT lost its last five series and six of its last seven.

First in Tennessee’s way as it defends its SEC crown is Alabama, who the Vols beat in a three-game series in Tuscaloosa the second weekend of SEC play.

Alabama took game one back in March due to a massive five-run second inning that proved too much for Tennessee to overcome. The Vols then won a 10-7 thriller in game two before dominating game three, 9-2.

DRAW: See Tennessee Baseball’s Seed, Draw At 2025 SEC Tournament

Tennessee’s series loss to Arkansas dropped it four spots in D1 Baseball’s Top 25 rankings. See where Tennessee ranks in all five polls now that the regular season has concluded below.

RANKINGS: Where Tennessee Baseball Ranks At End Of 2025 Regular Season

Opponent Scout

Since losing to Tennessee in the second week of conference play, the Tide have had an up-and-down season.

Series wins over Oklahoma and Georgia highlight the Tide’s season in addition to its series sweep over Texas A&M to open SEC play. However, series losses to Florida and Mississippi State were low points. Missouri was Alabama’s only other series win in addition to the aforementioned three.

Tennessee and Alabama had similar years when all was said and done. Each went 16-14 with four series wins. Neither got swept and each claimed a pair of series sweeps. Both also finished the regular season with 41-15 records.

Like Tennessee, Alabama is looking to make a deep run in Hoover to improve its hosting chances.

The last time Tennessee and Alabama met in Hoover, the Tide won 3-2 in an 11-inning second round affair in 2021.

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.
  • Weeks ago, Osuna again took legal action still seeking eligibility. Read more HERE.

TRANSCRIPT: What Tennessee HC Tony Vitello Said Previewing The 2025 SEC Tournament

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

For the latest RTI Diamond Pass podcast recapping the Arkansas series and previewing the SEC Tournament, click HERE.

VIDEO: Tennessee HC Tony Vitello Previews Vols’ SEC Tournament, Alabama Game on Wednesday

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

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)

DH Levi Clark (R)

C Cannon Peebles (S)

3B Manny Marin (R)

Lineup Notes:

• Same lineup as it was the last two games of the Arkansas series.
• DH spot feels the most up in the air on a game-to-game basis right now.

ALABAMA STARTING NINE: 

RF Bryce Fowler (L)

SS Justin Lebron (R)

LF Kade Snell (L)

CF RIchie Bonomolo Jr. (R)

1B Will Hodo (L)

3B Jason Torres (R)

C Brady Neal (L)

2B Brennen Norton (R)

DH Coleman Mizell (L)

Pitching Matchup:

Vols Jr. RHP Marcus Phillips (3-4, 3.72 ERA, 14 app., 14 starts, 1 CGSO, 67.2 IP, 59 H, 34 R, 28 ER, 26 BB, 80 K, 21 XBH, .230 opp. batting avg., 1.26 WHIP)

vs.

Tide Sr. RHP Aeden Finateri (3-0, 4.39 ERA, 13 app., 4 starts, 26.2 IP, 31 H, 16 R, 13 ER, 7 BB, 25 K, 9 XBH, .292 opp. batting avg., 1.43 WHIP)

Pitching Notes:

• Phillips gets the start to open Tennessee’s run in Hoover. Makes the most sense since he started last week’s series opener at Arkansas.
  • Liam Doyle starting Thursday would make the most sense for Tennessee if the Vols win Wednesday, considering Friday would be an off-day.
• Finateri has been a bullpen arm mostly for the Tide this year and has three starts. Likely an opener.
  • Mostly midweek appearances for Finateri. Saw action in four SEC games, one start.

Uniforms

Tennessee: Icy Whites

Alabama: Crimson tops grey pants

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*NOTES*

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

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GAME THREAD

1st Inning: 

T1

-Bryce Fowler out at first 1B to P.

-Justin Lebron flies out to RF.

-Kade Snell grounds out to 1B unassisted.

END OF TOP HALF

B1

-Gavin Kilen strikes out swinging.

-Andrew Fisher singles to right-center.

-Hunter Ensley ropes an RBI double to left field.

-Dalton Bargo grounds out to 2B. Ensley to third.

• Incredible play by Brennen Norton.

-Dean Curley flies out to the warning track in right field.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 1, Crimson Tide 0

2nd Inning: 

T2

-Richie Bonomolo Jr. strikes out swinging on three pitches.

-Will Hodo flies out to CF.

-Jason Torres strikes out swinging.

• Another 1-2-3 inning for Phillips. He’s locked in.

END OF TOP HALF

B2

-Reese Chapman works a walk after a 11-pitch at-bat.

-Levi Clark flies out to the warning track in center.

• Deepest part of the park.
• 404.5 feet from Clark.
• Leaping catch from Bonomolo Jr. Nice play.

-Cannon Peebles fouls out to C.

-Manny Marin singles to left-center. Chapman to third.

-Gavin Kilen sends an RBI single up the middle. Marin to second. Chapman scores.

*Pitching change: LHP Matthew Heiberger (3-1, 4.25 ERA) on to pitch for Finateri*

-Andrew Fischer flies out to CF in right-center.

• Another really hard-hit ball from Tennessee. Vols are barreling everything.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 2, Crimson Tide 0

3rd Inning: 

T3

-Brady Neal strikes out swinging.

-Brennen Norton flies out to CF.

-Coleman Mizell strikes out swinging.

• 9 up, 9 down from Phillips

END OF TOP HALF

B3

-Hunter Ensley singles to center.

Ensley advances to second on a wild pitch.

-Dalton Bargo strikes out swinging.

-Dean Curley reaches on a fielding error by SS.

• Rare error from Justin Lebron.

-Reese Chapman grounds into a 5-4-3 double play.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 2, Crimson Tide 0

4th Inning: 

T4

-Bryce Fowler doubles to right field.

-Justin Lebron flies out to RF. Fowler to third.

-Kade Snell is walked on four pitches.

-Richie Bonomolo Jr. smacks an RBI double to left-center, out 9-6-4. Snell to third.

• Crazy play. Bonomolo rounded second but the third-base coach put the stop sign up, keeping Snell at third.
• Bonomolo tagged out coming back to second.
• Bad decision from third-base coach. Should’ve been a two-run triple. No idea why he held Snell.

-Will Hodo strikes out swinging.

END OF TOP HALF

B4

-Levi Clark singles up the middle.

-Cannon Peebles singles through the left side. Clark to second.

-Manny Marin grounds out to P on a sac bunt. Runners advance to second and third.

-Gavin Kilen knocks a two-run single to shallow left field.

• Beat the shift. Lazy blooper scores two.

-Andrew Fischer singles up the middle, advances to second on the throw. Kilen to third.

*Pitching change: RHP Braylon Myers (3-1, 2.35 ERA) on to pitch for Heiberger*

Fischer advances to third on a wild pitch. Kilen scores on a wild pitch.

-Hunter Ensley reaches on a fielder’s choice by P, advances to second. Fischer out 1-5-2.

• Chopper results in Fischer getting into a pickle. Made Alabama throw it around enough to where Ensley could reach second.

-Dalton Bargo strikes out swinging.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 5, Crimson Tide 1

5th Inning: 

T5

-Jason Torres smokes a double off the top of the right-field wall.

• Chapman tried to make a leaping catch. Smacked into the wall and came up empty-handed.

Torres advances to third on a passed ball.

-Brady Neal works a walk.

-Brennen Norton drives an RBI single through the left side. Neal to second.

*Pitching change: So. LHP Brandon Arvidson (2-0, 4.50 ERA) on to pitch for Phillips*

-Coleman Mizell strikes out looking.

*Pitching change: Jr. RHP AJ Russell (1-1, 3.00 ERA) on to pitch for Arvidson*

-Bryce Fowler flies out to CF.

-Justin Lebron works a walk.

• Bases loaded with two outs for Kade Snell.

-Kade Snell reaches on a throwing error by 2B. Norton and Neal score on the error.

• Routine grounder. Dean fielded it fine. But for some reason he rushed the play and threw to first before Fischer was ready.
• Fischer hadn’t even turned around to make eye contact with Curley yet. There was plenty of time to not rush the throw.
• Head-scratching play. A far too common occurrence from Curley. Tennessee would’ve been out of the inning, too.

-Richie Bonomolo Jr. delivers a two-run double to left-center. Snell and Lebron score.

• Curley’s error extended the frame. Alabama went on to score four more runs…

-Will Hodo grounds out to 1B unassisted.

END OF TOP HALF

B5

-Dean Curley strikes out looking.

-Reese Chapman flies out to LF after an 11-pitch at-bat.

• Two 11-pitch ABs from Chapman today.

-Levi Clark singles to left field.

Clark advances to second on a wild pitch.

-Cannon Peebles slaps an RBI single to right-center.

-Manny Marin strikes out looking after an eight-pitch at-bat.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 6, Crimson Tide 6

6th Inning: 

T6

-Jason Torres grounds out to SS.

-Brady Neal strikes out swinging.

-Brennen Norton strikes out swinging.

• Dominant 1-2-3 inning from Russell.

END OF TOP HALF

B6

*Pitching change: LHP Zane Adams (7-3, 5.15 ERA) on to pitch for Myers*

• A weekend starter for Alabama. First relief appearance of the season.

-Gavin Kilen is walked.

-Andrew Fischer lines out to 3B.

Kilen advances to second on a wild pitch.

-Hunter Ensley works a walk.

-Dalton Bargo slaps an RBI single through the left side. Kilen scores. Ensley to second.

*Pitching change: RHP Hagan Banks (0-1, 3.26 ERA) on to pitch for Adams*

-Dean Curley singles to right-center.

• Bases loaded with one out for Reese Chapman.

-Reese Chapman drops a two-run single into shallow center. Ensley and Bargo score.

*Pitching change: RHP JT Blackwood (2-2, 5.56 ERA) on to pitch for Banks*

-Levi Clark sends an RBI double to left-center. Curley scores. Chapman out at home, 8-2.

• Chapman nearly beat the tag. Was initially ruled safe, but the call was overturned after an Alabama challenge.
• Close call. Probably the right call but was a heck of an effort from Chapman with his footwork.

-Cannon Peebles knocks an RBI single through the left side. Clark scores.

Peebles caught stealing second, 2-4.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 11, Crimson Tide 6

7th Inning: 

T7

*Peyton Steele pinch-hitting for Coleman Mizell*

-Peyton Steele strikes out swinging.

-Bryce Fowler flies out to CF.

-Justin Lebron pops up to SS.

END OF TOP HALF

B7

-Manny Marin flies out to RF.

-Gavin Kilen strikes out looking.

-Andrew Fischer singles to left field.

-Hunter Ensley HBP. Fischer to second.

-Dalton Bargo strikes out swinging.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 11, Crimson Tide 6

8th Inning: 

T8

*Jay Abernathy to LF for Dalton Bargo*

-Kade Snell flies out to LF.

-Richie Bonomolo Jr. strikes out looking.

-Will Hodo singles to left-center.

-Jason Torres strikes out swinging.

END OF TOP HALF

B8

-Dean Curley singles to right field.

*Ariel Antigua pinch-running for Dean Curley*

-Reese Chapman hammers a two-run homer to right field.

• 368 feet, 109 mph.

*Pitching change: RHP Austin Morris (3-0, 6.20 ERA) on to pitch for Blackwood*

-Levi Clark reaches on a fielding error by SS.

*Colby Backus pinch-running for Levi Clark*

-Cannon Peebles works a walk. Backus to second.

-Manny Marin rips a two-run double down the LF line.

*Pitching change: LHP Beau Bryans (1-0, 10.38 ERA) on to pitch for Morris*

-Gavin Kilen grounds out to 3B.

-Andrew Fischer works a walk.

-Hunter Ensley works a walk.

• Bases loaded with one out for Stone Lawless.

*Stone Lawless pinch-hitting for Jay Abernathy*

*Pitching change: RHP Coulson Buchanan (1-0, 3.98 ERA) on to pitch for Bryans*

-Stone Lawless grounds into a 4-6-3 inning-ending double play.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 15, Crimson Tide 6

9th Inning: 

T9

*Backus to LF*

*Antigua to SS*

*Kilen to 2B*

-Brady Neal lays down a bunt single to 3B.

-Brennen Norton doubles down the RF line after a 14-pitch at-bat. Neal to third.

*Pitching change: Fr. RHP Brayden Krenzel (2-0, 3.77 ERA) on to pitch for Russell*

*Will Plattner pinch-hitting for Peyton Steele*

-Will Plattner grounds out to P.

-Bryce Fowler works a walk.

-Justin Lebron drives a two-run single to center field. Neal and Norton score.

-Kade Snell sends a sac fly to RF.

Lebron steals second.

-Richie Bonomolo Jr. slaps an RBI single to center.

Bonomolo Jr. steals second.

-Will Hodo strikes out swinging.

END OF TOP HALF

Score: Vols 15, Crimson Tide 10

END OF GAME

FINAL: Tennessee Vols 15, Crimson Tide 10