SCORE: Tennessee 5, Samford 1 | FINAL
***SCROLL DOWN FOR LIVE AT-BAT BY AT-BAT FEED***
Fourth-ranked Tennessee baseball (4-0) is set to battle the Samford Bulldogs (3-1) Friday in game one of a three-game series in Knoxville.
First pitch at Lindsey Nelson Stadium is set for 2:00 p.m. ET on SECN+.
First pitch was initially scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET but with Knoxville set to have frigid temperatures on Friday evening, the start time was moved up so that the game would be played in warmer weather. First pitch times were also altered for games later in the weekend. See the details below.
TIME CHANGE: Time Changes Announced for Tennessee Baseball’s Upcoming Weekend of Action Against Samford
Tennessee is coming off a dominant 29-4 midweek win over UNC Asheville in which the Vols tied a Tony Vitello-era record for most runs in a single game. Prior to the midweek mauling, Tennessee swept Hofstra to open the season, outscoring the Pride 46-2.
Samford is coming off a 12-6 midweek loss to Jacksonville State. Prior to their first loss of 2025, the Bulldogs swept Valparaiso last weekend, outscoring them 33-11.
PITCHING: Tennessee HC Tony Vitello Details Starting Pitching Plan For Samford Series
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 pitching 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
Vitello has experimented plenty with the lineup so far this season and will moving forward in non-conference play in efforts to find the best nine. Something that hasn’t and likely won’t change anytime soon is Tennessee’s game one and two starting pitchers. Ole Miss transfer LHP Liam Doyle will get the ball for the second straight Friday while flame-throwing righty Marcus Phillips will start for the second straight Saturday.
Doyle shoved in his first start as a Vol last week, striking out 11 batters in five scoreless innings.
PREVIEW: How to Watch Tennessee Baseball Series Against Samford
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
TRANSCRIPT: Everything Tennessee HC Tony Vitello Said Following Run-Rule Win Over UNC Asheville
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, recapping Tennessee’s series sweep of Hofstra to open the season, click here.
For the 2025 Tennessee Baseball season preview podcast, click here.
VIDEO: WATCH: Tony Vitello Recaps Blowout Midweek Win Over UNC Asheville
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:
3B Dean Curley (R)
SS Gavin Kilen (L)
CF Hunter Ensley (R)
1B Andrew Fischer (L)
C Cannon Peebles (S)
3B Manny Marin (R)
LF Dalton Bargo (L)
DH Levi Clark (R)
RF Reese Chapman (L)
Lineup Notes:
- Fischer back at 1B like he was opening weekend. Started at 3B on Tuesday, which is his natural position. Fischer at 1B allows for more talented infielders to get starts (i.e. Manny Marin or Ariel Antigua)
- Marin starting at third for the third time this season. He’s been solid so far in his true freshman season.
- Clark getting his third start of the young season. He has been amazing at the plate so far (.714 avg.)
- Bargo gets the nod in left over Jay Abernathy, who received his first career start Tuesday.
- Peebles behind the plate to open the series over Stone Lawless.
SAMFORD STARTING NINE:
2B Jeffery Ince (S)
SS Gus Gandy (R)
C Cade Carr (R)
RF Jake Souders (R)
LF Trey Higgins (S)
DH Gatlin Pitts (R)
1B Cullen Horowicz (R)
3B Parker McDonald (R)
CF Michael Gupton (L)
Pitching Matchup:
Vols Jr. LHP Liam Doyle (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 app., 1 start, 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 11 K, 0.67 opp. batting avg., .20 WHIP)
vs.
Bulldogs Sr. LHP Miller Riggins (1-0, 3.60 ERA, 1 app., 1 start, 5.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, .118 opp. batting avg., .40 WHIP)
Pitching notes:
- Second start for Doyle in his Tennessee career. Was excellent in his debut vs. Hofstra last week.
- Riggins is Samford’s ace and a Tennessee native (Collierville). Was solid in his season debut last week vs. Valparaiso.
- Riggins is a Kennesaw State transfer entering his second year at Samford. Was a bullpen arm a year ago.
Uniforms
Tennessee: All White
Samford: All grey with navy accents
*NOTES*
- The run-rule IS in effect 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 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 poll.
GAME THREAD
1st Inning:
T1
-Jeffery Ince strikes out swinging.
-Gus Gandy strikes out swinging on three pitches.
-Cade Carr strikes out swinging on three pitches.
- Dominant 10-pitch inning for Liam Doyle out of the gate.
END OF TOP HALF
B1
-Dean Curley works a walk.
-Gavin Kilen is walked on four pitches. Curley to second.
-Hunter Ensley flies out to RF. Curley to third.
-Andrew Fischer pops up to SS.
-Cannon Peebles works a walk. Kilen to second.
- Bases loaded with two outs for Manny Marin.
-Manny Marin strikes out swinging to strand ’em loaded.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 0, Bulldogs 0
2nd Inning:
T2
-Jake Souders flies out to CF.
-Trey Higgins strikes out swinging.
-Gatlin Pitts strikes out swinging on three pitches.
- Liam Doyle with another phenomenal start to the outing.
END OF TOP HALF
B2
-Dalton Bargo strikes out swinging on three pitches.
-Levi Clark strikes out looking after an 8-pitch at-bat.
-Reese Chapman smokes a home run to CF.
- Over the batter’s eye. No doubter.
- 417 feet, 108 mph.
- Chapman’s 2nd of the season.
-Dean Curley sends a single through the left side.
-Gavin Kilen HBP. Curley to second.
-Hunter Ensley fouls out to 1B. Strands a pair.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 1, Bulldogs 0
3rd Inning:
T3
-Cullen Horowicz strikes out swinging.
-Parker McDonald is walked.
- First baserunner for Samford.
McDonald steals second.
-Michael Gupton strikes out swinging.
McDonald steals third.
-Jeffery Ince strikes out looking.
END OF TOP HALF
B3
-Andrew Fischer is walked on four pitches.
-Cannon Peebles cranks a two-run homer to left-center.
- Peebles’ first HR of the season.
- 10th Vol to homer this year.
- 374 feet, 106 mph.
-Manny Marin flies out to LF.
-Dalton Bargo flies out to LF.
-Levi Clark flies out to LF.
- Great play by Samford LF Trey Higgins to scale the wall and rob Clark of a HR or double.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 3, Bulldogs 0
4th Inning:
T4
-Gus Gandy singles to 3B.
- Good job by Marin to make it even a close play.
Gandy caught stealing at second, 2-4.
-Carr strikes out swinging.
-Souders strikes out looking.
END OF TOP HALF
B4
-Reese Chapman flies out to CF.
-Dean Curley singles to LF.
-Gavin Kilen singles to LF. Curley advances to third. Kilen advances to second on the throw to third.
-Hunter Ensley sends an RBI groundout to SS.
-Andrew Fischer knocks an RBI single to RF.
-Cannon Peebles strikes out looking.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 5, Bulldogs 0
5th Inning:
T5
-Trey Higgins smokes a leadoff solo homer to RF.
- First run Doyle has given up this season.
-Gatlin Pitts strikes out swinging.
-Cullen Horowicz strikes out swinging.
-Parker McDonald strikes out looking.
- Doyle up to 13 Ks. 24 now in 10.0 IP for Doyle at Tennessee.
END OF TOP HALF
B5
*Pitching change: So. RHP Noah Berry (1-0, 9.00 ERA) on to pitch for Riggins*
*Jay Abernathy pinch-hitting for Manny Marin*
-Jay Abernathy grounds out to SS.
- Hard-hit ball but was hit right into the shift.
-Dalton Bargo is walked.
-Levi Clark flies out to LF.
-Reese Chapman strikes out swinging.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 5, Bulldogs 1
6th Inning:
T6
*Fischer to 3B*
*Bargo to 1B*
*Abernathy to LF*
-Michael Gupton strikes out swinging.
*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Tanner Franklin (0-0, 0.00 ERA) on to pitch for Doyle*
Liam Doyle Final Line: 5.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 14 K, 54 strikes on 81 total pitches
-Jeffery Ince strikes out swinging.
-Gus Gandy strikes out looking on three pitches.
END OF TOP HALF
B6
*Jackson Harris to 1B for Cullen Horowicz*
-Dean Curley grounds out to SS.
-Gavin Kilen works a walk.
-Hunter Ensley works a walk. Kilen to second.
Runners advance on a wild pitch.
-Andrew Fischer works a walk.
- Bases loaded with one out for Cannon Peebles.
*Pitching change: Sr. LHP Evan Steckmesser (0-0, 5.40 ERA) on to pitch for Berry*
-Cannon Peebles flies out to CF.
-Jay Abernathy flies out to CF.
- Second time Tennessee has stranded the bases loaded. One by Manny Marin one time by Jay Abernathy.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 5, Bulldogs 1
7th Inning:
T7
-Cade Carr slaps a single to right center.
-Jake Souders strikes out swinging.
-Trey Higgins flies out to LF.
-Gatlin Pitts grounds out to 2B.
- Nice charge by Kilen and good play by Fischer to complete the out.
- Play was reviewed and stood.
END OF TOP HALF
B7
-Dalton Bargo grounds out to SS.
-Levi Clark strikes out swinging on three pitches.
-Reese Chapman singles to 1B.
- Surprised it wasn’t ruled an error. First baseman flipped the ball to the pitcher who dropped it. Pretty routine play.
-Dean Curley grounds out to SS.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 5, Bulldogs 1
8th Inning:
T8
-Jackson Harris flies out to CF.
-Parker McDonald strikes out swinging on three pitches.
-Michael Gupton strikes out looking after an 8-pitch at-bat.
END OF TOP HALF
B8
-Gavin Kilen works a walk.
-Hunter Ensley grounds into a 1-4-3 double play.
-Andrew Fischer ropes a double down the RF line.
*Ariel Antigua pinch-running for Andrew Fischer*
-Cannon Peebles flies out to CF.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 5, Bulldogs 1
9th Inning:
T9
*Antigua to 3B*
*Chris Newstrom to LF for Jay Abernathy*
-Jeffery Ince sends a single up the middle.
-Gus Gandy flies out to LF.
Jeffery Ince advances to second then third on a throwing error by C, failed pickoff attempt.
-Cade Carr strikes out swinging, out at first C to 1B.
-Jake Souders flies out to RF.
END OF TOP HALF
END OF GAME
Score: Vols 5, Bulldogs 1
FINAL: Tennessee Vols 5, Samford Bulldogs 1
