SCORE: Tennessee 7, Samford 3 | FINAL

***SCROLL DOWN FOR LIVE AT-BAT BY AT-BAT FEED***

Fourth-ranked Tennessee baseball (5-0) is set to battle the Samford Bulldogs (3-2) Saturday in game two 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 4:00 p.m. ET but with Knoxville set to have colder temperatures on Saturday evening, the start time was moved up so that the game would be played in warmer weather. First pitch times were also altered for other games in the series. See the details below.

TIME CHANGE: Time Changes Announced for Tennessee Baseball’s Upcoming Weekend of Action Against Samford

Tennessee is looking to clinch the weekend series over Samford after winning 5-1 in Friday’s series opener. Starting pitcher Liam Doyle and reliever Tanner Franklin were tremendous for the Vols on the mound totaling 20 strikeouts, just one shy of the single-game program record. The hard-throwing duo also allowed just four hits, one walk and one run.

Read the recap of Tennessee’s series-opening win below.

RECAP: Tennessee Baseball Opens Weekend Series With Victory Over Samford

Prior to Tennessee’s series-opening win on Friday, the Vols dominated UNC Asheville in a 29-4 midweek. Twenty-nine runs tied a Tony Vitello-era record for most runs in a single game.

A series win over Samford would mark Tennessee’s second series win to begin the season. The Vols swept Hofstra on opening weekend, outscoring the Pride 46-2 across the trio of games.

Prior to Samford’s series-opening loss, the Bulldogs lost to Jacksonville State in a 12-6 midweek affair. Before that, the Bulldogs swept Valparaiso on opening 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 has and will continue to be the game one starter. Marcus Phillips, entering his second year with the program, will get the ball for the second straight Saturday.

Phillips was solid in his first 2025 appearance last week, giving up just one hit, two walks and striking out four in four 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

Samford is the best team Tennessee has faced so far this season. The Bulldogs were picked to finish 2nd in the SoCON in the preseason poll.

Head coach Tony David is entering his 11th year with the program. The roster is led by three Preseason All-Conference selections: LHP Miller Riggins (started Friday), LHP Evan Stockmesser and 2B Jeffery Ince (leadoff hitter).

TRANSCRIPT: Everything Tony Vitello Said After He Earned Win No. 300 In Tennessee Tenure

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: Tony Vitello Recaps Series-Opening Win Over Samford

THREAD: Tennessee vs. Samford Game One Update Thread

Lineups, pitching matchup and additional pre-game notes are below, followed by the LIVE at-bat by at-bat game thread.

TENNESSEE STARTING NINE: 

3B Dean Curley (R)

2B Gavin Kilen (L)

CF Hunter Ensley (R)

1B Andrew Fischer (L)

C Cannon Peebles (S)

LF Dalton Bargo (L)

RF Reese Chapman (L)

SS Ariel Antigua

DH Jay Abernathy (L)

Lineup Notes:

• Some infield tinkering as Antigua gets the start at SS, Curley moves to 3B.
• Abernathy getting his first start at DH, 2nd career start for the Vols.
• Chapman moves up the order for the first time this season.
• Bargo staying in left for the second straight game, a first this season.
• Fischer staying at 1B although his more natural position is 3B.

SAMFORD STARTING NINE: 

2B Jeffery Ince (S)

SS Gus Gandy (R)

C Cade Carr (R)

1B Jackson Harris (L)

RF Jake Souders (R)

LF Trey Higgins (S)

C Matthew Strand (R)

3B Gatlin Pitts (R)

CF Michael Gupton (L)

Pitching Matchup:

Vols Jr. RHP Marcus Phillips (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 app., 1 start, 4.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, .071 opp. batting avg.)

vs.

Bulldogs R-So. RHP Cameron Keshock (0-0, 6.00 ERA, 1 app., 1 start, 3.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 2 XBH, .417 opp. batting avg.)

Pitching notes:

• Second weekend start for Phillips of the season. Last weekend was Phillips’ first weekend start of his career.
  • Phillips threw 55 pitches last week in 4.0 innings. We’ll see if Vitello and co. let him go longer today.
• Keshock is an Auburn transfer who spent 2023 and 2024 with Butch Thompson’s squad.

Uniforms

Tennessee: Orange tops white pants

Samford: Red tops white pants

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*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.

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GAME THREAD

1st Inning: 

T1

-Jeffery Ince works a leadoff walk.

-Gus Gandy pops up to 1B.

Ince steals second.

-Cade Carr smacks a single to RF. Ince to third.

• Really nice throw from Chapman to keep the runner at third. Good cutoff from Fischer, too, to prevent a run≥

-Jackson Harris reaches on an RBI fielder’s choice to 2B to score Ince. Carr out at second, 4-6.

• First run Phillips has given up this season.

-Jake Souders strikes out looking on three pitches.

END OF TOP HALF

B1

-Dean Curley grounds out to P.

-Gavin Kilen is walked on four pitches.

-Hunter Ensley works a walk. Kilen to second.

-Andrew Fischer grounds into a 4-6-3 double play.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 0, Bulldogs 1

2nd Inning: 

T2

-Trey Higgins strikes out swinging.

-Matthew Strand grounds out to P.

• Nice play by Phillips to pick it up and fire to first in time.

-Gatlin Pitts strikes out looking on three pitches.

END OF TOP HALF

B2

-Cannon Peebles grounds out to 2B.

-Dalton Bargo strikes out swinging.

-Reese Chapman drives a single to center.

-Ariel Antigua reaches on a fielding error by 3B. Chapman to second.

• Gatlin Pitts booted the ball allowing Antigua to reach.

-Jay Abernathy grounds out to P. Strands a pair.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 0, Bulldogs 1

3rd Inning: 

T3

-Michael Gupton strikes out swinging on three pitches.

-Jeffery Ince strikes out looking.

-Gus Gandy strikes out swinging on three pitches.

• Great inning from Phillips. Strikes out the side on 10 pitches.

END OF TOP HALF

B3

-Dean Curley grounds out to 3B.

-Gavin Kilen flies out to CF in left-center.

-Hunter Ensley smacks a double to right-center.

-Andrew Fischer flies out to the warning track in LF.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 0, Bulldogs 1

4th Inning: 

T4

-Cade Carr lines out to RF.

• Really nice play from Chapman who ran to make the cross-body catch. Didn’t have to lay out but still a nice play.

-Jackson Harris strikes out swinging.

-Jake Souders flies out to RF.

END OF TOP HALF

B4

-Cannon Peebles pops up to SS.

-Dalton Bargo grounds out to SS.

-Reese Chapman grounds out to 3B.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 0, Bulldogs 1

5th Inning: 

T5

-Trey Higgins works a leadoff walk.

Higgins steals second.

-Matthew Strand pops up to SS.

Andrew Fischer failed to catch a routine pop up in foul territory. Ball ended up landing in between Fischer and Peebles. 

Higgins steals third, scores on a throwing error by Phillips, failed pickoff attempt. 

-Gatlin Pitts strikes out swinging.

-Michael Gupton HBP.

Gupton steals second.

*Pitching change: RHP Nate Snead (0-0, 3.00 ERA) on to pitch for Phillips*

• Snead coming in means he won’t start game three in all likelihood.

Gupton advances to third on a wild pitch.

-Jeffery Ince is walked on four pitches.

• Snead came in on a 2-0 count and immediately threw two balls to walk him.

Ince steals second.

-Gus Gandy strikes out swinging.

• BIG K from Nate Snead.

END OF TOP HALF

B5

-Ariel Antigua HBP.

-Jay Abernathy drives a double down the 3B line. Antigua to third.

• Shift beater.

-Dean Curley pops up to 1B.

-Gavin Kilen sends an RBI groundout to 2B to score Antigua. Abernathy to third.

-Hunter Ensley grounds out to 3B.

• Nice dive by third baseman Gatlin Pitts.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 1, Bulldogs 2

6th Inning: 

T6

Marcus Phillips Final Line: 4.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 8 K, 44 strikes on 69 pitches

-Cade Carr HBP.

• Carr was hit in the head by a Nate Snead pitch. Trainers came out to check on him. He walked off under his own power. Scary moment in LNS.

*John Whitney pinch-running for Carr*

Whitney caught stealing second, 2-6.

-Jackson Harris out at first 1B to P.

-Jake Souders flies out to CF.

END OF TOP HALF

B6

*Pitching change: RHP Austin Tommasini (0-0, 4.50 ERA) on to pitch for Keshock*

-Andrew Fischer works a leadoff walk.

-Cannon Peebles grounds into a 4-5-3 double play.

-Dalton Bargo launches a solo homer to right center.

• 3rd HR of Bargo’s season.
• 392 feet, 108 mph.

-Reese Chapman is walked.

-Ariel Antigua flies out to RF.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 2, Bulldogs 2

7th Inning: 

T7

-Trey Higgins strikes out swinging.

-Matthew Strand reaches on a throwing error by P.

• Snead fired a throw to first that was just a bit too far outside. Would’ve been a close call regardless. Could’ve easily been ruled a hit.

Strand advances to second on a wild pitch.

-Gatlin Pitts delivers an RBI double to deep center to score Strand.

Pitts advances to third on a wild pitch.

-Michael Gupton strikes out looking.

-Jeffery Ince grounds out to SS.

• Pretty play from Ariel Antigua, who came across the middle of the infield.

END OF TOP HALF

B7

*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Joseph Lee (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 SV) on to pitch for Tommasini*

-Jay Abernathy singles through the left side.

Abernathy advances to second on a wild pitch.

-Dean Curley strikes out swinging.

-Gavin Kilen grounds out to 2B. Abernathy to third.

Abernathy scores on a wild pitch.

-Hunter Ensley flies out to RF.

END PF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 3, Bulldogs 3

8th Inning: 

T8

-Gus Gandy flies out to CF.

*Ty Truett pinch-hitting for John Whitney*

-Truett strikes out swinging, out at first C to 1B.

-Jackson Harris grounds out to SS.

END OF TOP HALF

B8

-Andrew Fischer works a leadoff walk.

-Cannon Peebles strikes out swinging.

-Dalton Bargo reaches on a fielding error by 2B. Fischer advances to second on the error and third on interference.

• Fischer tripped over the shortstop. He would’ve been out had there not been interference as the pitcher went to cover third. Little luck there for Tennessee.

-Reese Chapman works a walk. Bargo to second.

• Bases loaded with one out for pinch-hitter for Levi Clark.

*Levi Clark pinch-hitting for Ariel Antigua*

-Clark punishes a grand slam to the top of the left-field porches.

• Clark’s 2nd HR of the season is a huge one.
• Biggest moment of the star freshman’s young career in orange.

-Jay Abernathy flies out to the warning track in LF.

-Dean Curley flies out to CF.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 7, Bulldogs 3

9th Inning: 

T9

*Curley to SS*

*Chris Newstrom to LF for Fischer*

*Bargo to 1B*

*Manny Marin to 3B for Levi Clark*

-Jake Souders out at first 1B to P.

-Trey Higgins strikes out looking.

-Matthew Strand strikes out swinging.

END OF TOP HALF

Score: Vols 7, Bulldogs 3

END OF GAME

FINAL: Tennessee Vols 7, Samford Bulldogs 3