SCORE: Tennessee 18, Hofstra 1 | FINAL (7 inn. Run-Rule)
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Fourth-ranked Tennessee baseball (1-0) is set to battle the Hofstra Pride (0-1) Saturday in game two of a three-game series in Knoxville. Tennessee won the series opener 15-0 in a seven-inning, run-rule victory. Read the recap from the series-opening win below.
RECAP: Liam Doyle Dominates As Tennessee Baseball Run-Rules Hofstra In Season Opener
Therefore, the Vols will aim to clinch their first series of the season on Saturday.
First pitch at Lindsey Nelson Stadium is set for 2:00 p.m. ET on SECN+.
Tennessee enters the season coming off a National Championship victory in 2024, the first in program history. The Vols must replace many key pieces of that historic roster, including six starters and its entire starting rotation.
However, Tony Vitello and the rest of Tennessee’s coaching staff replenished well as always, bringing in key transfers INF Gavin Kilen, LHP Liam Doyle, 1B Alberto Osuna and INF Andrew Fischer, among others.
Tennessee is a unanimous top five team across all preseason polls and figures to be a force in the SEC once again. The Vols boast returning stars Dean Curley and Hunter Ensley as well as high-upside pieces Reese Chapman, Cannon Peebles, Stone Lawless and Dalton Bargo.
In addition to the aforementioned transfers, Tennessee brought in a slew of JuCo arms to fill out the bullpen and the Vols’ top-ranked 2024 freshman class features loads of star potential.
ELIGIBILITY: Judge Denies Alberto Osuna’s Request For Temporary Restraining Order Against NCAA
PITCHING: Tony Vitello Reveals Tennessee Baseball Starting Pitching Plan For Hofstra Series
Vitello will undoubtedly experiment plenty with the lineup throughout the weekend and moving forward in non-conference play in efforts to find the best nine. And while Friday and Saturday’s starting pitchers were announced before the series, Sunday’s starter is up in the air. Expect to potentially see a few guys get chances at winning the day three starter role over the coming weeks.
Returning arm Marcus Phillips will get the ball to start on Saturday. The second-year Vol was a fringe contributor for Tennessee down the stretch in 2024 out of the bullpen. Phillips is one of the most talented arms on Tennessee’s roster, and the righty has as high of an upside as anyone.
PREVIEW: Tennessee Baseball 2025 Season Preview: Accolades, Predictions
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Injury/Availability Notes
Tennessee enters the season relatively 100%, but a few players of note are either sidelined due to injury or not able to play this weekend.
- UNC transfer first baseman Alberto Osuna has not yet been granted eligibility from the NCAA. Osuna figured to be Tennessee’s opening day starter at first base, and it is unknown when or if he will be able to take the field as a Vol this year.
- Star RHP AJ Russell is still recovering from UCL surgery last June. Tony Vitello recently gave a positive update regarding a potential midseason return for Russell.
- Infielder Alex Perry, who was in competition to start at first base before Osuna’s arrival, left the program in January to tend to a personal matter. It remains to be seen when or if Perry will return. He is in his second season at Tennessee.
Opponent Scout
The Coastal Athletic Conference coaches picked Hofstra to finish ninth in the 12-team conference this season. Hofstra posted a 24-33 (13-14 CAA) record a season ago.
The Pride faced Virginia in a three-game series last season and it was their only matchups against a power five opponent. Virginia swept Hofstra in Charlottesville, scoring 10-plus runs in all three games and winning by a total of 42-20.
Hofstra infielder Dylan Palmer was the Pride’s only Preseason All-CAA selection this season after he hit .386 with nine extra-base hits and 31 RBIs in 2024.
Hofstra is no match for Tennessee, and this will in all likelihood be a series sweep for the Vols to begin the season.
TRANSCRIPT: Everything Tony Vitello Said Following Tennessee Baseball’s Season Opening Win
For all of RTI’s preseason baseball coverage, including a full pitching preview for this season, click here.
For the latest RTI Press Pass baseball podcast, discussing Alberto Osuna’s eligibility issues and the Hofstra series, click here.
For the 2025 Tennessee Baseball season preview podcast, click here.
More From RTI: How to Watch Tennessee Baseball Series Against Hofstra
VIDEO: Tony Vitello Recaps Season-Opening Win Over Hofstra
Lineups, pitching matchup and additional pre-game notes are below, followed by the LIVE at-bat by at-bat game thread.
Starting Lineups
TENNESSEE STARTING NINE:
SS Dean Curley (R)
2B Gavin Kilen (L)
CF Hunter Ensley (R)
1B Andrew Fischer (L)
DH Levi Clark (R)
DH Cannon Peebles (S)
3B Manny Marin (R)
LF Chris Newstrom (R)
RF Reese Chapman (L)
Lineup Notes:
- Lots of new faces in Tennessee’s lineup to open the season.
- Fischer figures to start at 3B primarily this season but is at 1B as he works his way back to 100% from an arm injury.
- Freshman Chris Newstrom gets the nod in LF after Bargo started Friday. Vitello will continue to rotate at that spot and others throughout non-conference play.
- Peebles back behind the plate after DH-ing Friday. Highly-touted freshman Levi Clark gets his first career start, handling DH duties.
- Freshman Manny Marin has turned plenty of heads as of late and gets the 3B start for the second straight day.
- Ensley, Chapman, Kilen and Curley are all no doubt starters moving forward, though Kilen and Curley could alternate between 2B and SS.
- Three true freshmen starting to Tennessee, a testament to the loaded 2024 recruiting class that was brought in.
HOFSTRA STARTING NINE:
2B Dylan Palmer (L)
RF Luke Masiuk (R)
LF Tyler Cox (L)
3B Bryce Curry (R)
1B Sean Lane (R)
DH CJ Griggs (L)
CF Trenton Snyder (R)
C Dom Camera (R)
SS Michael Brown (S)
Pitching Matchup:
Vols Jr. RHP Marcus Phillips (2024 stats: 0-0, 4.95 ERA, 19 app., 2 starts, 3 SV, 20.0 IP, 15 H, 13 R, 11 ER, 15 BB, 22 K, 7 XBH, .208 opp. batting avg.)
vs.
Pride Gr-Sr. RHP Tristan Nemjo (2023 stats (missed all of 2024): 3-1, 6.13 ERA, 14 app., 6 starts, 47.0 IP, 56 H, 34 R, 32 ER, 11 BB, 34 K, 19 XBH, .298 opp. batting avg.)
Pitching notes:
- First weekend start for Phillips. He started two midweeks in 2024.
- Phillips opening the season as a weekend starter shows how much he’s grown – and how much trust the coaching staff has in him – which is a really good thing for Tennessee given his talent.
Uniforms
Tennessee: Orange tops, white pants
Hofstra: Blue tops, grey pants with gold accents
*NOTES*
- There IS a run-rule for all three games this weekend. If Tennessee leads by 10 or more runs in M7 or later, the game is over.
- Tennessee’s No. 4 ranking refers to D1 Baseball’s preseason poll.
- Tennessee is No. 2 in the NCBWA and USA Today polls, No. 3 according to Baseball America and No. 5 in the Perfect Game preseason poll.
GAME THREAD
1st Inning:
T1
-Dylan Palmer reaches on a fielding error by Kilen.
Palmer steals second.
-Luke Masiuk strikes out looking.
-Tyler Cox lines out to LF.
-Bryce Curry grounds out to SS.
END OF TOP HALF
B1
-Dean Curley grounds out to SS.
-Gavin Kilen fouls out to 3B.
- Incredible sliding catch by Hofstra 3B Bryce Curry.
-Hunter Ensley knocks a double to LF.
-Andrew Fischer lines out to RF.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 0, Pride 0
2nd Inning:
T2
-Sean Lane grounds out to 3B.
-CJ Griggs reaches on a fielding error by Andrew Fischer.
-Trenton Snyder flies out to CF.
-Dom Camera strikes out swinging.
END OF TOP HALF
B2
-Levi Clark is walked on four pitches.
-Cannon Peebles strikes out looking.
-Manny Marin HBP.
-Chris Newstrom singles to SS. Marin advances to second. Clark advances to third.
-Reese Chapman reaches on a 3-6 RBI fielder’s choice. Clark scores.
Marin scores on a wild pitch. Chapman advances to second.
-Dean Curley flies out to CF.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 2, Pride 0
3rd Inning:
T3
-Michael Brown pops up to SS.
-Dylan Palmer grounds out to 1B unassisted.
- Eventful play as Fischer dove for the bag to make the tag in time.
-Luke Masiuk is walked.
-Masiuk caught stealing at second, 2-6. Over-slid the bag.
END OF TOP HALF
B3
-Gavin Kilen strikes out looking.
-Hunter Ensley works a walk.
-Andrew Fischer works a walk. Ensley advances to second.
-Levi Clark chops a single to P.
- Bases loaded with one out for Cannon Peebles.
-Cannon Peebles reaches on an RBI fielder’s choice to score Ensley. Clark out at second, 4-5. Fischer advances to third.
-Manny Marin is walked.
- Bases loaded with two outs.
-Chris Newstrom cracks a bases-clearing double to right center.
- Big moment for the freshman.
-Reese Chapman strikes out looking.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 6, Pride 0
4th Inning:
T4
-Tyler Cox singles to LF.
-Bryce Curry strikes out swinging.
Cox steals second.
-Sean Lane is walked.
-CJ Griggs strikes out looking.
-Trenton Snyder flies out to CF.
END OF TOP HALF
B4
*Pitching change: So. LHP Tanner Sanderoff on to pitch for Nemjo*
-Dean Curley strikes out swinging.
-Gavin Kilen works a walk.
-Hunter Ensley is walked on four pitches. Kilen advances to second.
Michael Sharman is warming up in the bullpen.
-Andrew Fischer strikes out swinging.
Kilen steals third. Ensley steals second.
-Levi Clark mashes a three-run homer to left field.
- 102 mph, 339 feet.
-Cannon Peebles pops up to 2B.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 9, Pride 0
5th Inning:
T5
*Pitching change: Jr. LHP Michael Sharman on to pitch for Phillips*
-Dom Camera knocks a solo homer into the UT bullpen.
- First run Hofstra has scored this series.
-Michael Brown is walked.
-Dylan Palmer reaches on a fielder’s choice to 2B. Brown out at second, 4-6.
*Pitching change: So. RHP Austin Hunley on to pitch for Sharman*
Play under review: Hunley attempted to pickoff Palmer at first. Initially ruled safe.
-Luke Masiuk strikes out swinging. Palmer steals second.
-Tyler Cox grounds out to P.
END OF TOP HALF
B5
*Pitching change: Sr. RHP Danny Kelleher on to pitch for Sanderoff*
-Manny Marin grounds out to SS.
-Chris Newstrom fouls out to 1B.
-Reese Chapman singles through the left side.
*Jay Abernathy pinch-running for Chapman*
-Dean Curley HBP.
-Gavin Kilen is walked on four pitches.
- Bases loaded with two outs for Hunter Ensley.
-Hunter Ensley smokes a grand slam to the LF porches.
- 106 mph, 392 feet.
-Andrew Fischer strikes out swinging.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 13, Pride 1
6th Inning:
T6
*Pitching change: LHP Brandon Arvidson on to pitch for Hunley*
*Colby Backus to CF for Ensley*
*Marin to 1B*
*Abernathy to LF*
*Newstrom to RF*
*Ariel Antigua to 3B for Andrew Fischer*
-Bryce Curry grounds out to SS.
-Sean Lane strikes out swinging.
-CJ Griggs pops up to SS.
- 1-2-3 inning for Arvidson
END OF TOP HALF
B6
-Levi Clark doubles through the left side.
*Dalton Bargo pinch-hitting for Cannon Peebles*
-Dalton Bargo pops up to SS.
*Hunter High pinch-hitting for Manny Marin*
-Hunter High strikes out swinging.
*Brayden Sharp pinch-hitting for Chris Newstrom*
-Sharp reaches on a throwing error by 3B. Clark advances to third.
-Jay Abernathy sends an RBI single to 1B to score Clark. Sharp advances to third.
*Blake Grimmer pinch-hitting for Dean Curley*
-Grimmer smokes a three-run homer off the scoreboard.
*Pitching change: Fr. RHP Trent Jenks on to pitch for Kelleher*
-Gavin Kilen triples to right center.
- 2nd triple of the season already for Kilen.
-Colby Backus reaches on a throwing error by 3B, advances to second on the error. Kilen scores on the error.
-Ariel Antigua strikes out looking.
END OF TOP HALF
Score: Vols 18, Pride 1
7th Inning:
T7
*Pitching change: RHP Thomas Crabtree on to pitch for Arvidson*
*Grimmer to 3B*
*Antigua to SS*
*Bargo to C*
*High to 1B*
*Sharp to RF*
*Nick Gallelo pinch-hitting for Trenton Snyder*
-Gallelo HBP
-Dom Camera is walked.
*Michael Craig pinch-hitting for Michael Brown*
-Craig strikes out swinging.
*Jake Herring pinch-hitting for Dylan Palmer*
-Herring strikes out looking.
-Luke Masiuk strikes out swinging.
Score: Vols 18, Pride 1
FINAL: Tennessee Vols 18, Hofstra Pride 1 (FINAL – Run-Rule Victory)
