Tony Vitello called upon freshman utility man Levi Clark to pinch-hit for Ariel Antigua when the bases were loaded with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning. Tennessee and Samford were knotted at three runs apiece in what had been an extremely close game two of the weekend series.
Clark launched a 3-1 pitch to the top deck of the left-field porches, giving Tennessee a late 7-3 lead. The 410-foot blast traveled out of the stadium at 107 miles per hour and allowed Tennessee to remain unbeaten on the young season.
More From RTI: Late Grand Slam Gives Tennessee Baseball Series-Clinching Win Over Samford
Watch Clark’s grand slam below.
LEVI CLARK LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!
https://t.co/kZCKZq2piK#GBO // #BeatSamford pic.twitter.com/tSS4009Bv8
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) February 22, 2025
“It says that, it could kind of work on two ends,” Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello said on what it says about Clark’s maturity to deliver in that pressure-packed spot. “You want to have good presence and not get over zealous in that situation which the crowd can work to your benefit, which in that occasion I think it did.
But I’ve also been around guys, too, our crowd gets so into the game (that) sometimes you can use that adrenaline in the wrong way. He just did a great job of staying composed would be my one main point. And you don’t want to overthink the situation. Our hitters did a good job of battling and obviously there was a mistake in there, but the pressure was kind of on the pitcher in that situation and I think Levi just looked like he had a simple approach there and he’s so strong and talented and of course he works hard too that it ended up being a pretty explosive cap on the game really.”
Clark is now 6-12 at the plate this season with 12 RBI, 2 HR (one grand slam), two doubles, three walks and seven runs scored. The power-hitting freshman figures to be in the mix to receive starts all season long, and his hot start could force Vitello’s hand to make the Marietta, Georgia, native an every-day starter as the season progresses.
“Coach V(itello) told me to be ready,” Clark said when talking about the grand slam. “[I] didn’t really know when, came in with the bases loaded and one out, just trying to do it for the guy next to you. Not a selfish AB (at-bat), especially 3-1, make him throw a pitch right where you want it and hit it.”
Clark’s grand slam propelled Tennessee to the series-clinching win on Saturday. The Vols will look to sweep the weekend series Sunday in Knoxville. First pitch is at 1 p.m. ET, and LHP Brandon Arvidson is expected to start on the mound.
