Third-ranked Tennessee Baseball (3-2) will face off against Dayton (0-3) on Friday at 4:30 p.m. ET for the series opener in Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
The Vols are looking looking to keep their winning streak alive, as Tennessee are winners of their past three after starting the season 0-2. But they will have to do so WITHOUT head coach Tony Vitello, as the Vols’ skipper has been suspended for the entirety of the three game series. Associate head coach Josh Elander will serve as acting head coach during the series.
As for Dayton, the Flyers are still searching for their first win of 2023 after getting swept in their season-opening series against Western Kentucky.
SEC Network + has the call for Tennessee vs. Dayton. Reminder that the online broadcasts can be accessed on any mobile device through WatchESPN. WatchESPN can be accessed through the ESPN App, or online at espn.com/watch.
For RTI’s full baseball coverage from last weekend, Tuesday and Wednesday, click here.
Lineups, pitching matchup, and additional pre-game notes are below.
Starting Lineups
Tennessee Starting Nine:
LF Jared Dickey
2B Christian Moore
1B Blake Burke
3B Zane Denton
RF Griffin Merritt
DH Cal Stark
CF Kyle Booker
SS Austen Jaslove
C Charlie Taylor
Lineup Notes:
–Still no Maui Ahuna, who still awaits eligibility status from the NCAA. Austen Jaslove continues to start at short stop.
–Both of Tennessee’s top catchers are starting, as Cal Stark gets his second start of the season at designated hitter, and Charlie Taylor gets the start.
–With Stark at DH, Jared Dickey moves to LF, and Kyle Booker moves to center field. Therefore, Christian Scott doesn’t get the start.
Dayton Starting Nine:
2B Keagan Calero
LF Michael Adair
DH Ben Jones
1B Marcos Pujols
3B Jay Curtis
C Nolan Watson
RF Edward Yamin V
CF Jose Martinez
SS Carlos Castillo
Pitching Matchup
Vols Jr. RHP Chase Dollander (0-1, 3.86 ERA, 4.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, .188 opp. batting avg., 1 HP)
vs. Dayton Sr. LHP Ryan Steinhauer (0-1, 7.20 ERA, 5.0 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, .167 opp. batting avg.)
Pregame Quick Hitters
-Tennessee run-ruled Alabama A&M in both midweek contests. HOWEVER, there will be no run-rule this weekend, as Tennessee nor Dayton agreed to it.
-Tennessee’s pitching staff has allowed just one run over the past three games.
-In Tennessee’s 23-1 win over Alabama A&M Wednesday, the Vols scored 15 runs in the fifth inning, a program record.
-Dayton is Tennessee’s first true series opponent this season, as the Vols opened their season in the MLB Desert Invitational last weekend in Arizona.
-Andy Brock (PxP) and Cody Hawn (Analyst) are on the call for the SECN+ broadcast.
-Tennessee is wearing their icy white uniforms for Friday night’s matchup. Dayton is wearing their grey uniforms.
GAME THREAD
1st Inning:
T1
-Chase Dollander strikes out Keagan Calero to kick things off in Knoxville.
-Michael Adair strikes out swinging.
-Ben Jones is walked on a full count.
-Chase Dollander commits a throwing error trying to pickoff Jones at first base. Jones advances to second.
-Marcos Pujols rips a two-run home run into right field off the scoreboard. Dayton strikes first.
-Jay Curtis strikes out looking.
B1
-Jared Dickey works a leadoff walk.
-Christian Moore is walked.
-Blake Burke singles through the right side. Moore advances to third, and Dickey is thrown out at home. Runners on the corners with one out for Tennessee.
-Call is overturned and Dickey is ruled SAFE. Tennessee on the board.
-Zane Denton hits a sac fly to RF. Moore scores, and Tennessee ties the game.
-Griffin Merritt singles through the left side. Burke advances to second.
-Cal Stark reaches on a fielder’s choice as Burke is tagged out at third. Merritt advances to second.
-Kyle Booker strikes out swinging.
Score: Vols 2, Flyers 2
2nd Inning:
T2
-Nolan Watson pops up to SS.
-Eddie Yamin IV takes a 1-1 pitch and crushes it just foul to left field. Nearly another home run for Dayton.
-Eddie Yamin IV doubles to right center after a nine-pitch at-bat.
-Jose Martinez strikes out swinging.
-Carlos Castillo strikes out swinging. Five Ks now for Dollander, who did a nice job to work out of the jam.
B2
-Austen Jaslove is walked.
-Charlie Taylor reaches on an error by the Dayton SS. Jaslove advances to third.
-Jared Dickey ropes an RBI single down the first base line. Jaslove scores, Taylor advances to second.
*Pitching change: Jr. LHP Eli Majick on to pitch for Steinhauer*
-Christian Moore strikes out looking after a long at-bat. Questionable, questionable strike call.
-Blake Burke flies out to deep RF. Charlie Taylor is ruled safe at third, but it’s under review. Ruled safe after review.
-Dickey caught stealing at second.
Score: Vols 3, Flyers 2
3rd Inning:
T3
-Keagan Calero strikes out looking.
-Michael Adair strikes out swinging.
-Ben Jones pops up to 2B.
B3
-Zane Denton strikes out looking.
-Griffin Merritt is walked.
-Cal Stark hits a line drive double down the LF line. Merritt advances to third.
-Kyle Booker strikes out looking.
-Austen Jaslove hits a two-RBI blooper single into LF to score Merritt and Stark. Jaslove advances to second on the throw home, and advances to third on a throwing error by Dayton left fielder Michael Adair.
-Charlie Taylor smacks an RBI double to left center.
*Pitching change: Sr. RHP Anthony Hattrup on to pitch for Majick*
-Jared Dickey hits a monster two-run shot over the batter’s eye. Vols add to their lead.
––Exit velo: 104 mph; Distance: 431 feet––
-Christian Moore is walked.
-Moore steals second.
-Blake Burke flies out to deep left center.
Score: Vols 8, Flyers 2
4th Inning:
T4
-Marcos Pujols singles to left field.
-Jay Curtis bloops a single to shallow RF. Pujols advances to second.
-Nolan Watson strikes out swinging.
-Eddie Yamin IV grounds into a 6-3 double play.
B4
*Pitching change: Parker Bard on to pitch for Hattrup*
-Zane Denton flies out to deep RF.
-Griffin Merritt homers into the left field porches. His first homer of the season. An absolute nuke with an emphatic bat flip to boot.
-Cal Stark strikes out swinging.
-Kyle Booker grounds out to 1B.
Score: Vols 9, Flyers 2
5th Inning:
T5
-Jose Martinez strikes out looking. Dollander’s ninth K.
-Carlos Castillo strikes out swinging.
-Keagan Calero singles up the middle.
-Michael Adair strikes out swinging. 11 Ks for Dollander.
B5
-Austen Jaslove reaches on a fielding error by the SS.
-Charlie Taylor flies out to RF.
-Jared Dickey singles through the left side, advances on the throw to third. Both Jaslove and Dickey are safe at third and second.
-Christian Moore strikes out swinging.
-Blake Burke grounds out to p to end the inning.
Score: Vols 9, Flyers 2
6th Inning:
T6
-Ben Jones flies out to CF.
-Marcos Pujols is plunked, who begins jawing with the Tennessee dugout. Vols are then issued a warning by the umpire.
-Jay Curtis strikes out swinging and Chase Dollander’s day is done.
*Pitching change: Fr. RHP AJ Russell on to pitch for Dollander*
-Russell strikes out Nolan Watson.
DOLLANDER FINAL LINE: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 12 K*ties Tennessee high*, 1 HP, 1 HR, 68 strikes on 95 TP against 23 batters.
B6
*Pitching change: So. RHP Matthew Johnson on to pitch for Bard*
-Zane Denton singles to RF. Bang bang play at the bag, and the umps are reviewing it. Call upheld.
-Griffin Merrit is hit square in the back by a pitch. Runners on first and second with no outs for Tennessee.
-Cal Stark strikes out swinging.
-Kyle Booker fouls out to 3B.
-Runners advance to second and third on a wild pitch.
-Austen Jaslove flies out to left center.
Score: Vols 9, Flyers 2
7th Inning:
T7
*A.J. Russell staying on the mound*
-Eddie Yamin IV strikes out.
-Pinch-hitter Paxton Tomaini strikes out swinging.
-Omar Daniels strikes out swinging.
B7
-Charlie Taylor works a leadoff walk.
-Taylor steals second base.
-Jared Dickey reaches first on a fielding error by the first baseman. Taylor scores. Dickey advances to second on a throwing error by the right fielder.
-Christian Moore strikes out swinging.
-Blake Burke grounds out to 2B. Taylor advances to third.
-Zane Denton knocks an RBI triple to deep center field. Taylor scores.
-Griffin Merritt strikes out swinging.
Score: Vols 11, Flyers 2
8th Inning:
T8
-Kegan Calero strikes out swinging. Fifth K for Russell tonight.
-Michael Adair flies out to the warning track in LF.
-Ben Jones grounds out to 3B.
B8
*Logan Chambers pinch-hitting for Cal Stark*
-Chambers strikes out swinging.
-Kyle Booker strikes out swinging.
*Jake Kendro pinch-hitting for Jaslove*
––Kendro crushes a baseball just foul to left field. They’re taking a look at it. It’ll be a home run if it’s overturned––
-Call is overturned and it’s a home run for Kendro, his first career bomb.
*Ryan Miller pinch-hitting for Charlie Taylor*
-Miller flies out to LF
Score: Vols 12, Flyers 2
9th Inning:
T9
*Pitching change: So. RHP Aaron Combs on to pitch for Russell*
-David Pedanou strikes out swinging.
-Jay Curtis strikes out swinging.
-Matt Maloney strikes out swinging.
FINAL: Tennessee Vols 12, Dayton Flyers 2
