FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — There are no shortage of moments or areas to point to as the difference maker when a team loses a baseball game by one-run like Tennessee did, 4-3, in its super regional opener against Arkansas. It wasn’t difficult for head coach Tony Vitello to pinpoint the main difference postgame.
“I think a lot of guys were really good out on that field, because there’s a lot of talent, but the difference was (Arkansas starter Zach) Root,” Vitello said.
There’s plenty to back up his assessment. Tennessee could muster just one hit and three total baserunners in Root’s seven innings pitched. The Vols capitalized about as much as possible off their limited opportunities with Dean Curley knocking a two-run homer to left field after a fielding error to open the fifth inning.
But it was unquestionably Root’s day, profanity-laced displays of emotion and all, as the Razorbacks took game one.
“I think it’s kind of an easy one to say that we would have liked to of, and potentially could have done better, but he had it going on today too,” Vitello said.
Saturday evening belonged to the Razorbacks’ left-handed ace. With its season on the brink, Tennessee needs Sunday afternoon to belong to its Liam Doyle.
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The SEC Pitcher of the Year and just Tennessee’s fourth ever Golden Spikes finalist, Doyle has been Tennessee’s most consistent positive in a season of ups-and-downs. Doyle enters Sunday’s start with a 2.84 ERA and a nation’s best 158 strikeouts in 92 innings pitched.
But Arkansas’ lineup is difficult to navigate. Even scoring just four runs in game one, the Razorbacks’ second least since May 10, Arkansas totaled 10 hits and worked a pair of walks in game one. Not to mention that Doyle’s worst start of the season came in Fayetteville when Arkansas tagged him for eight runs (six earned) in 4.2 innings pitched.
“They were aggressive, for sure,” Vitello said of Doyle’s struggles the first time. “And from the beginning, I think he just never really kind of had his rhythm. I looked at it. I don’t have a magic answer for you. … So you try and make adjustments, but anything can happen. Anything can happen. It’s certainly chaotic this time of year.”
Tennessee’s bullpen remains in a solid spot after some strong management from Vitello and equally strong outings from a few relievers in the opener. But the Vols’ trusted pitching depth remains thin and if they’re going to climb out of the series hole, they need Doyle to go deep into the game and hold the explosive Razorbacks down.
Root ruled the roost on Friday. Doyle must dominate the day Sunday if Tennessee’s 2025 season is going to end in Omaha.
