Griffin Merritt’s comment about Liam Doyle Monday night is something we can all agree on.
On just three days rest after throwing 104 pitches in a 6.2-inning start against Miami (OH), Doyle threw 31 pitches in a 2.1-inning relief outing to slam the door on Wake Forest in a deciding game seven of the Knoxville Regional.
Doyle’s outing was instrumental in Tennessee’s ability to claim a 11-5 win over the Demon Deacons to advance to a fifth straight Super Regional.
Doyle is a first-round MLB prospect. Doyle’s draft stock would only be negatively impacted with an injury. Pitching on short rest after a 100+ pitch outing opens yourself up to that.
But Doyle is about winning. That’s why he came to Tennessee. Pitching in game seven of the regional gave Tennessee a better chance to win so that was what Doyle was going to do. In fact, he was in Tony Vitello’s ear about pitching in the regional final right after Tennessee lost to Wake Forest Sunday night.
VFL Griffin Merritt applauded Doyle for his willingness to pitch on short rest and give his all for his team.
In an era of selfishness in college sports, how about this guy Liam Doyle? Automatic first round drat pick who has nothing to gain throwing tonight except throwing for his brothers and his school. Thank you Liam for making a Volunteer baseball alum proud tonight. https://t.co/yL6zXfWjKe
— Griffin Merritt (@G_Merritt10) June 3, 2025
“I wanted the ball,” Doyle said when asked why he wanted to pitch Monday. “I knew I could win for my team and put it all on the line out there tonight… I knew I was prepared for the moment. I felt like I’ve gone through it here now being in the SEC for two years. I’ve taken a lot of information from last year, my first year [in the league].
“I’ve had some ups and downs. … I have been ready for what was my task. My arm felt good enough yesterday, arm felt great today. And [it was about] just going out there and giving my team a chance to win. I am really glad coach [Tony Vitello] had the trust in me to go out there and close the game tonight.”
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It’s not often you see that in college sports. Like Merritt said, in a me-first world that feels all about money in college athletics now, Doyle has continuously put his team first and did so on the biggest stage Monday in what was his final outing in Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Rewind back to the Auburn series. Doyle’s regular Friday start was cut short due to a postponement. Then, when game two went into extra innings and was postponed to Sunday, Doyle pitched two innings in extras to lead his team to a series-evening win, even though it was bound to throw off his weekly routine.
Doyle’s energy and passion is palpable when watching him pitch. It was on full display every time he finished an inning and went berserk skipping back to the dugout against Wake Forest Monday.
Doyle has been Tennessee’s horse and will continue to be as the postseason progresses. He will look to provide yet another unforgettable outing in his first-ever Super Regional start this weekend against Arkansas.
One Response
He left a winning school to come to Tennessee. The kid has ton of heart and is future MLB star but don’t put down his former school, Coastal Carolina.