SCORE: Tennessee 7, Texas 5 | FINAL (12 innings)
***SCROLL DOWN FOR LIVE AT-BAT BY AT-BAT FEED***
No. 21 Tennessee baseball (42-15, 16-14 SEC) is set to battle No. 2 Texas (42-11, 22-8 SEC) Thursday in a round three matchup in the SEC Tournament from Hoover, Alabama.
First pitch in Hoover Met Stadium will be at approximately 4:00 p.m. ET on the SEC Network.
For a full preview of the game, click HERE.
This is Tennessee’s second game in the tournament and Texas’ first. The eighth-seeded Vols defeated Alabama 15-10 on Wednesday in round two of the tournament. Tennessee’s offense exploded with 20 hits and AJ Russell was superb out of the bullpen. Read a recap of Tennessee’s win HERE.
This year’s tournament is single elimination. Therefore, the loser of the game goes home while the winner advances to play the winner of (12) Oklahoma vs. (4) Vanderbilt on Saturday.
Before the tournament, Tennessee lost 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.
A win over Texas would certainly improve Tennessee’s hosting chances, but the Vols likely need to make Sunday’s championship game in order to feel really good about hosting a regional.
‘RIDE OR DIE’: Tony Vitello Is ‘Ride Or Die’ With Dean Curley Amidst Defensive Struggles
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
Texas won the SEC regular season crown in its first year in the league.
In his first year in Austin, head coach Jim Schlossnagle dominated the first half of SEC play and had a rockier but still very solid second half. In May, Texas lost a series to Florida and got swept by Arkansas. The Longhorns won every other series in SEC play this year.
This is the first time Tennessee and Texas have met all season and first meeting between the two schools since 2022.
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: Everything Tennessee HC Tony Vitello Said Following SEC Tournament Win Over Alabama
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: Tony Vitello, AJ Russell, Levi Clark Talk Win Over Alabama at the SEC Tournament
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)
DH Levi Clark (R)
C Cannon Peebles (S)
3B Manny Marin (R)
Lineup Notes:
- Same lineup as it has been the last three games for Tennessee.
TEXAS STARTING NINE:
2B Ethan Mendoza (R)
RF Max Belyeu (L)
C Rylan Galvan (R)
1B Kimble Schuessler (R)
DH Adrian Rodriguez (S)
SS Jalin Flores (R)
LF Tommy Farmer IV (R)
CF Will Gasparino (R)
3B Casey Borba (R)
Pitching Matchup:
Vols Jr. LHP Liam Doyle (9-3, 2.72 ERA, 15 app., 14 starts, 79.1 IP, 48 H, 27 R, 24 ER, 25 BB, 137 K, 16 XBH, .171 opp. batting avg., 0.92 WHIP)
vs.
Longhorns R-So. LHP Ethan Walker (1-0, 2.70 ERA, 7 app., 0 starts, 6.2 IP 5 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, .208 opp. batting avg., 0.90 WHIP)
Pitching Notes:
- Doyle looking to bounce back after his worst performance of the year last week at Arkansas (11 H, 8 R)
- Bullpen game for Texas. Walker has thrown just 7.0 innings this season and hasn’t thrown more than 2.0 innings in a single outing.
- Expect Walker to pitch 1-2 innings before giving way to a handful of arms. Texas is obviously trying to steal this one with a bullpen game and move onto the weekend. Playing the long game.
Uniforms
Tennessee: Orange tops, grey pants
Texas: All whites
*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.
GAME THREAD
1st Inning:
T1
-Gavin Kilen strikes out swinging.
-Andrew Fischer strikes out swinging on three pitches.
-Hunter Ensley flies out to RF at the warning track.
END OF TOP HALF
B1
-Ethan Mendoza works a walk.
-Max Belyeu flies out to CF. Mendoza to second.
-Rylan Galvan strikes out swinging.
-Kimble Schuessler smacks an RBI single to left-center.
Schuessler advances to second on a throwing error by P, failed pickoff attempt.
-Adrian Rodriguez fouls out to 3B.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 0, Longhorns 1
2nd Inning:
T2
-Dalton Bargo strikes out swinging on three pitches.
-Dean Curley grounds out to SS.
-Reese Chapman grounds out to 2B.
END OF TOP HALF
B2
-Jalin Flores grounds out to 3B.
-Tommy Farmer IV singles to left field.
Farmer IV steals second.
-Will Gasparino works a walk.
-Casey Borba strikes out swinging.
-Ethan Mendoza strikes out swinging on three pitches.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 0, Longhorns 1
3rd Inning:
T3
-Levi Clark HBP.
-Cannon Peebles grounds into a 6-4-3 double play.
-Manny Marin flies out to CF.
END OF TOP HALF
B3
-Max Belyeu pops up to SS.
-Rylan Galvan strikes out swinging.
-Kimble Schuessler grounds out to P.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 0, Longhorns 1
4th Inning:
T4
-Gavin Kilen lines out to 1B.
-Andrew Fischer flies out to CF.
-Hunter Ensley flies out to RF.
END OF TOP HALF
B4
-Adrian Rodriguez doubles to right field.
- Chapman was in position and tried to make a forward diving catch, but he comes up empty-handed. Rodriguez just beats the throw from Chapman to second.
Rodriguez advances to third on a wild pitch.
-Jalin Flores sends a sac fly to LF.
- Thought Bargo maybe could’ve made a good throw to make the play close at home, but the throw was well off-line.
-Tommy Farmer IV strikes out swinging.
-Will Gasparino lays down a bunt single to P.
-Casey Borba lines a single to left field.
-Ethan Mendoza smacks a two-run triple off the top of the right-field wall.
- Texas continues to see Doyle well today.
*Pitching change: So. LHP Brandon Arvidson (2-0, 4.44 ERA) on to pitch for Doyle*
-Max Belyeu grounds out to 2B.
- Hit into the shift.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 0, Longhorns 4
5th Inning:
T5
-Dalton Bargo flies out to CF.
-Dean Curley doubles to left field.
-Reese Chapman HBP.
*Pitching change: RHP Grayson Saunier (1-0, 3.43 ERA) on to pitch for Walker*
***QUICK DELAY DUE TO UMPIRE INJURY***
- Game resumes at 5:47 p.m. ET. 16-minute delay.
-Levi Clark reaches on a fielding error by SS. Chapman to second. Curley to third.
- Bad, bad mistake from Jalin Flores. Should’ve been a 6-4-3 inning-ending double play.
- Bases loaded with one out for Cannon Peebles.
-Cannon Peebles drops a two-run bloop single into center field. Curley and Chapman score. Clark to second.
- Blooper into no man’s land in shallow center.
- Peebles has four RBIs the last two days.
-Manny Marin grounds into an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play.
END OF TOP HALF
B5
-Rylan Galvan strikes out swinging.
-Kimble Schuessler works a walk.
Schuessler steals second.
-Adrian Rodriguez strikes out swinging.
-Jalin Flores strikes out swinging on three pitches.
- Great job from Arvidson striking out the side.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 2, Longhorns 4
6th Inning:
T6
-Gavin Kilen flies out to CF.
-Andrew Fischer flares a single to left field.
-Hunter Ensley rips a single to left field. Fischer to second.
*Pitching change: RHP Thomas Burns (1-2, 3.80 ERA) on to pitch for Saunier*
-Dalton Bargo HBP.
- Bases loaded with one out for Dean Curley.
-Dean Curley works an RBI walk.
- Bases loaded with one out for Reese Chapman.
-Reese Chapman knocks a sac fly to LF. Ensley scores.
-Levi Clark strikes out swinging.
END OF TOP HALF
B6
-Tommy Farmer IV strikes out swinging on three pitches.
-Will Gasparino strikes out swinging, out at first C to 1B.
-Casey Borba singles to right field.
-Ethan Mendoza singles through the right side. Borba to second.
-Max Belyeu grounds out to 2B.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 4, Longhorns 4
7th Inning:
T7
-Cannon Peebles grounds out to 2B.
-Manny Marin flies out to CF.
-Gavin Kilen flies out to LF.
END OF TOP HALF
B7
-Rylan Galvan strikes out swinging.
-Kimble Schuessler flies out to CF.
-Adrian Rodriguez grounds out to 2B.
- Arvidson is shoving. Really nice development with Arvidson being a really reliable bullpen arm now.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 4, Longhorns 4
8th Inning:
T8
-Andrew Fischer rips a single to right field.
*Pitching change: RHP Max Grubbs (6-1, 2.47 ERA) on to pitch for Burns*
-Hunter Ensley grounds into a 6-4-3 double play.
-Dalton Bargo strikes out swinging on three pitches.
END OF TOP HALF
B8
-Jalin Flores strikes out swinging.
-Tommy Farmer IV strikes out swinging.
- EIGHT Ks for Arvidson!
-Will Gasparino grounds out to 2B.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 4, Longhorns 4
9th Inning:
T9
-Dean Curley strikes out swinging.
-Reese Chapman grounds out to P.
-Levi Clark strikes out swinging on three pitches.
END OF TOP HALF
B9
-Casey Borba fouls out to 1B.
-Ethan Mendoza grounds out to SS.
- Good play by Kilen.
-Max Belyeu strikes out swinging, out at first C to 1B.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 4, Longhorns 4
10th Inning:
T10
-Cannon Peebles grounds out to 1B unassisted.
-Manny Marin strikes out swinging.
-Gavin Kilen powers a solo homer to right field.
- 15th HR of the season for Kilen.
-Andrew Fischer pops up to SS.
END OF TOP HALF
B10
*Gavin Kilen to 2B*
*Ariel Antigua to SS for Dean Curley*
-Rylan Gavlan smokes a single up the middle.
- Rocket that hit the mound then went into the outfield.
Gavlan advances to second and third on a throwing error by P, failed pickoff attempt.
- Just a really ugly pickoff attempt. Completely airmailed it over Fischer’s head.
-Kimble Schuessler drives an RBI single through the left side.
*Pitching change: So. LHP Dylan Loy (4-0, 3.58 ERA) on to pitch for Arvidson*
-Adrian Rodriguez strikes out swinging.
Schuessler steals second.
*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Nate Snead (3-1, 4.17 ERA) on to pitch for Loy*
-Jalin Flores intentionally walked.
-Tommy Farmer IV strikes out swinging.
- Sword for strike three. Ball was up and in. Big time K.
-Will Gasparino strikes out swinging.
- Vintage Nate Snead.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 5, Longhorns 5
11th Inning:
T11
-Hunter Ensley singles up the middle.
- Weird play. Second baseman tried to flip the ball to the shortstop so he could fire to first. But the shortstop dropped it. Didn’t look like he was expecting it.
*Pitching change: LHP Dylan Volantis (4-0, 1.66 ERA) on to pitch for Grubbs*
-Dalton Bargo strikes out swinging.
-Ariel Antigua strikes out swinging.
-Ryan Chapman strikes out swinging.
END OF TOP HALF
B11
-Casey Borba works a walk.
-Ethan Mendoza strikes out swinging.
*Jayden Duplantier pinch-running for Borba*
Duplantier steals second.
-Max Belyeu intentionally walked.
- Sets up the double play ball.
-Rylan Galvan lines into a 6-4 double play.
- What a transfer from Ariel Antigua. Great defensive play ends the frame and keeps this one going.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 5, Longhorns 5
12th Inning:
T12
*Duplantier to 3B*
-Levi Clark works a walk.
*Jay Abernathy pinch-running for Levi Clark*
-Cannon Peebles slaps a single to left field. Abernathy to second.
- First pitch of the AB.
-Manny Marin bunts the runners over, out at first 1-4.
-Gavin Kilen smokes a two-run double to right-center.
- Centerfielder tried to make a sliding catch but couldn’t come up with it.
- Massive hit that looked like a homer off the bat. Ball was mashed.
-Andrew Fischer strikes out swinging on three pitches.
-Hunter Ensley grounds out to 3B.
END OF TOP HALF
B12
-Kimble Schuessler flies out to CF.
-Adrian Rodriguez flies out to CF.
-Jalin Flores flies out to CF.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 7, Longhorns 5
END OF GAME
FINAL: Tennessee Vols 7, Texas Longhorns 5 (12 innings)
