Tennessee baseball is looking to punch its ticket to a super regional for a fifth straight season tonight when they face Wake Forest in the Knoxville Regional finals.
The Vols won their first two games in the regional against Miami (Ohio) and Cincinnati and needs just one win in their next two games to clinch the Knoxville Regional.
Here’s how to watch the regional finals matchup, notes on pitching and a quick prediction for the matchup.
More From RTI: Maligned Vols Deliver For Tennessee Against Cincinnati In NCAA Tournament
How to Watch: No. 14 Tennessee Baseball (4r-16, 16-14 SEC) vs. Wake Forest (38-21, 16-14 ACC)
First pitch time: 6 p.m. ET
Announcers: PxP: Mike Monaco, CC: Kyle Peterson
Watch: ESPNU
Some Notes On Tennessee’s Pitching
The Vols have gotten long starts from both Liam Doyle and Marcus Phillips which has kept its bullpen in a good spot entering Sunday’s matchup. Of its top six bullpen arms, only AJ Russell and Brandon Arvidson have pitched for Tennessee this weekend and Arvidson threw just five pitches against Cincinnati. Russell should be the only top bullpen arm unavailable against Wake Forest.
Left-handed pitcher Dylan Loy will make his first start of the season in what is likely an opener role. Expect a heavy dose of Tegan Kuhns, Arvidson and Nate Snead behind him. Tanner Franklin could also potentially collect outs along the way.
How Wake Forest Got Here
Much like Tennessee did in the 2019 Chapel Hill Regional, Wake Forest dropped its first game and then climbed its way out of the loser’s bracket to make the regional finals.
The Demon Deacons out slugged Miami (Ohio) 14-13 on Saturday and then dominated Cincinnati 10-3 in the rematch earlier Sunday afternoon. Former Vol Matthew Dallas came through clutch for the Demon Deacons on Sunday, throwing into the eighth inning against the Bearcats.
That keeps Wake Forest’s pitching staff a bit fresher after a rough first two games in the Knoxville Regional. Still, this is a shaky Demon Deacons’ pitching staff. Tennessee’s offense should have plenty of chances both Sunday night and then again on Monday if it comes to that.
A Quick Prediction
I do not think it will come to a game seven on Monday. Tennessee’s pitching staff is in a good spot and should be able to avoid a massive game from a strong Wake Forest offense.
Dallas’ long outing Sunday afternoon gives Wake Forest a fighting chance, but the Demon Deacons pitching depth is still bad and has struggled for much of the weekend. Tennessee is swinging the bats really well and has mostly done it without the long ball.
The Vols earn the win and advance to the super regions.
Tennessee 11, Wake Forest 6
