SCORE: Tennessee 0, Vanderbilt 10 | FINAL (7 inn. – Run-Rule)

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

No. 21 Tennessee baseball (43-15, 16-14 SEC) is set to battle No. 9 Vanderbilt (40-16, 19-11 SEC) Saturday in the SEC Tournament Semifinals in Hoover, Alabama.

First pitch in Hoover Met Stadium will be at approximately 11:00 a.m. ET on the SEC Network.

For a full preview of the game, click HERE.

First pitch was moved up from 1 p.m. ET due to inclement weather in the late afternoon forecast in Hoover.

Tennessee enters Saturday’s game playing its best baseball of the last six weeks. The 8-seed Vols are 2-0 in Hoover so far with a 15-10 win over 9-seed Alabama and a 7-5 win in 12 innings over 1-seed Texas.

The Vols tallied a whopping 20 hits in the win over Alabama and AJ Russell shoved in relief to earn a stress-free win. Against Texas, Brandon Arvidson turned in a career performance out of the bullpen while Gavin Kilen provided the extra-inning heroics at the plate to knock off the SEC Regular Season champs in Texas.

Read recaps of both wins below.

BAMA WIN RECAP: Tennessee Baseball Uses Balanced Offensive Explosion To Defeat Alabama In SEC Tournament

TEXAS WIN RECAP: Tennessee Baseball Wins Instant Classic Against Texas At SEC Tournament

There’s a lot to like with how Tennessee is playing right now. The Vols’ offense has seemingly turned a corner since the beginning of the Arkansas series, and Russell and Arvidson’s performances completely change the postseason outlook of UT’s bullpen.

If those trends continue, Tennessee could be one of the more dangerous teams in the country moving forward. And if defensive mistakes get cleaned up? UT is a sure-fire National Championship contender.

EPIC: Brandon Arvidson’s ‘Epic Effort’ Against Texas Continues Encouraging Trend For Tennessee Reliever

Tennessee’s pair of wins are massive for UT’s chances to host an NCAA Regional. The Vols seemed to be just outside the hosting bubble heading into the week, but the wins, one of which coming against one of the best teams in the country, have catapulted Tennessee into D1 Baseball’s Top 16 projected seeds.

A big reason why is Tennessee’s high ranking in the RPI metric. After the Texas win, Tennessee is 9th nationally in RPI.

BRACKETOLOGY: Tennessee Baseball Projected As Regional Host In Updated Bracketology Reports

Last weekend’s series loss to Arkansas dropped Tennessee 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

4-seed Vanderbilt has played one game in Hoover thus far. The Commodores defeated Oklahoma 6-1 on Thursday behind strong pitching to advance to the semifinals.

Pitching has been Vanderbilt’s strength all season. And while the Vols have plenty of capable arms ready to go Saturday, the ‘Dores’ dominant pitching staff gives them the edge in that department. However, Tennessee is swinging the bat the best it has since the first few weeks of SEC play.

Vanderbilt took two-of-three against Tennessee two weeks ago in Knoxville. The Vols won game one behind an elite Liam Doyle outing, but the Commodores won game two 10-6 and game three 7-5.

Overall, Vanderbilt has had a tremendous second half of the season. The Commodores went 8-7 in the first half of SEC play and 11-4 in the second half. Vandy ended its season with a series sweep over Kentucky in which two wins came in walk-off fashion.

With Vanderbilt having the pitching edge and playing like one of the hottest programs in the country, Tennessee has its hands full Saturday. But the Vols are putting things together at the right time, setting the stage for what should be a great semifinals matchup.

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 ‘ESPN Classic’ Win Over Texas

For all of RTI’s baseball coverage so far this season, including an INSTANT REACTION to Tennessee’s unbelievable win over Texas Thursday, click here.

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

VIDEO: Tony Vitello, Brandon Arvidson and Gavin Kilen React to Epic Win Over Texas in SEC Tournament

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 has been the last four games for Tennessee.

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 (2-3, 4.58 ERA, 14 app., 9 starts, 35.1 IP, 38 H, 23 R, 18 ER, 16 BB, 39 K, 11 XBH, .266 opp. batting avg., 1.53 WHIP)

vs.

Commodores Jr. RHP Cody Bowker (2-4, 4.74 ERA, 14 app., 14 starts, 62.2 IP, 53 H, 35 R, 33 ER, 26 BB, 84 K, 24 XBH, .221 opp. batting avg., 1.27 WHIP)

Pitching Notes:

• Kuhns will look to bounce back from a 2.0-inning start a week ago in which he lost command after a poor balk call and defensive play from his infield.
  • Kuhns has been Tennessee’s unluckiest pitcher this season when it comes to the defense making things more difficult. We’ll see if things can be sharper in that department today and if Kuhns can go longer as a result.
  • Tennessee probably needs Kuhns to go at least 4, hopefully probably 5+ innings today in order to save one or two valuable arms for a potential SEC Tournament championship game.
• Bowker has been Vandy’s game two starter so no surprise he is starting in Vandy’s second game in Hoover. Tennessee saw him fairly well in Knoxville, scoring four runs on five hits in 4.2 innings.

Uniforms

Tennessee: Smokey Greys

Vanderbilt: All whites

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*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.

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GAME THREAD

1st Inning: 

T1

-Gavin Kilen works a leadoff walk.

-Andrew Fischer works a walk. Kilen to second.

-Hunter Ensley strikes out swinging on three pitches.

-Dalton Bargo strikes out swinging.

-Dean Curley strikes out swinging.

END OF TOP HALF

B1

-Rustan Rigdon singles up the middle.

Rigdon steals second.

-RJ Austin flies out to CF.

-Riley Nelson rips an RBI single down the RF line, out at second 9-5-4. Rigdon scores.

• Chapman’s throw didn’t hit the cutoff man so Rigdon tried to make it to second. Marin was able to throw him out at second, though.

-Brodie Johnston flies out to RF.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 0, Commodores 1

2nd Inning: 

T2

-Reese Chapman strikes out swinging on three pitches.

-Levi Clark strikes out swinging.

-Cannon Peebles strikes out swinging, reaches first on a wild pitch.

-Manny Marin flies out to RF.

END OF TOP HALF

B2

-Braden Holcomb singles up the middle.

-Colin Barczi singles up the middle. Holcomb to third.

-Jonathan Vastine strikes out looking.

Barczi steals second.

-Jacob Humphrey smacks an RBI single up the middle. Holcomb scores. Barczi to third.

*Pitching change: So. LHP Dylan Loy (4-0, 3.54 ERA) on to pitch for Kuhns*

-Mike Mancini reaches on an RBI bunt single to 2B, advances to second on a throwing error by 2B. Humphrey to second, advances to third on the error.

• Dean tried to flip it with his glove to first to get Mancini out, but the flip went over Fischer’s head. Wasn’t close.

-Rustan Rigdon delivers a two-run single up the middle.

-RJ Austin flies out to CF.

• Tremendous diving catch by Hunter Ensley.

Rigdon caught stealing second, 2-6.

• Nice throw by Cannon Peebles.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 0, Commodores 5

3rd Inning: 

T3

-Gavin Kilen flies out to RF at the warning track.

• 381 feet, 108 mph off the bat.

-Andrew Fischer strikes out swinging.

-Hunter Ensley singles to left field.

-Dalton Bargo strikes out swinging.

END OF TOP HALF

B3

-Riley Nelson pops up to 2B.

-Brodie Johnston singles up the middle.

-Braden Holcomb flies out to LF.

-Colin Barczi reaches on a fielding error by SS. Johnston advances to second.

• Kilen just tried to rush it. Not a terrible error, could’ve been ruled a hit.

-Jonathan Vastine works a walk.

• Bases loaded with two outs for Jacob Humphrey.

Johnston scores on a wild pitch. Barczi and Vastine advance.

*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Tanner Franklin (1-2, 4.91 ERA) on to pitch for Loy*

Barczi scores on a wild pitch. Vastine to third.

-Jacob Humphrey strikes out looking.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 0, Commodores 7

4th Inning: 

T4

-Dean Curley singles up the middle.

-Reese Chapman doubles to right field. Curley to third, out at home, 9-5-2.

• Curley went home after the ball sailed passed the cutoff man. Not a wise decision, especially with no outs. Pretty easily thrown out.

-Levi Clark strikes out swinging on three pitches.

-Cannon Peebles flies out to LF.

END OF TOP HALF

B4

-Mike Mancini strikes out swinging.

-Rustan Rigdon slaps a single down the 3B line.

• Beat the shift.

-RJ Austin strikes out swinging.

Rigdon caught stealing, 2-4.

• Vanderbilt challenged the ruling and the call was upheld.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 0, Commodores 7

5th Inning: 

T5

*Pitching change: RHP Connor Fennell (6-0, 2.85 ERA) on to pitch for Bowker*

• Had been Vandy’s game three starter for the majority of the back half of the season. Started game three in the UT-Vandy series in Knoxville.
• But Fennell came out of the bullpen in Vandy’s final series of the season vs. Kentucky. Shoved in a 5.0-inning relief outing.

-Manny Marin strikes out swinging.

-Gavin Kilen grounds out to 2B.

-Andrew Fischer grounds out to 3B.

• Hit into the shift.

END OF TOP HALF

B5

-Riley Nelson fouls out to 3B.

-Brodie Johnston fouls out to C.

-Braden Holcomb grounds out to 2B.

• 5-pitch inning for Tanner Franklin

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 0, Commodores 7

6th Inning: 

T6

-Hunter Ensley grounds out to 3B.

• Great pick by Vandy 1B Riley Nelson. Was a bad throw.

-Dalton Bargo flies out to LF.

• Really nice sliding catch by Braden Holcomb.

-Dean Curley flies out to RF.

• 7-pitch inning for Fennell.

END OF TOP HALF

B6

-Colin Barczi flies out to CF in right-center.

-Jonathan Vastine singles to left field.

-Jacob Humphrey fouls out to RF. Vastine to second.

-Mike Mancini sends an RBI single up the middle.

Mancini advances to second on a wild pitch.

-Rustan Rigdon is walked on four pitches.

*Pitching change: Fr. RHP Brayden Krenzel (2-0, 4.25 ERA) on to pitch for Franklin*

-RJ Austin drives an RBI single through the left side. Rigdon to second.

-Riley Nelson smacks an RBI single to left field. Austin to second.

*Pitching change: Jr. LHP Andrew Behnke (2-0, 5.40 ERA) on to pitch for Krenzel*

-Brodie Johnston pops up to 2B.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 0, Commodores 10

7th Inning: 

T7

*Chris Newstrom pinch-hitting for Reese Chapman*

-Chris Newstrom strikes out swinging.

-Levi Clark flies out to CF.

*Hunter High pinch-hitting for Cannon Peebles*

-High is walked on four pitches.

*Stone Lawless pinch-hitting for Manny Marin*

-Lawless bloops a single into right-center.

*Blake Grimmer pinch-hitting for Gavin Kilen*

-Blake Grimmer pops up to SS in shallow left field.

END OF TOP HALF

Score: Vols 0, Commodores 10

END OF GAME

FINAL: Tennessee Vols 0, Vanderbilt Commodores 10 (7 inn. Run-Rule)