SCORE: Tennessee 11, Samford 1 | FINAL (7 inn. – Run-Rule)

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

Fourth-ranked Tennessee baseball (6-0) is set to battle the Samford Bulldogs (3-3) Sunday in game three of a three-game series in Knoxville.

First pitch at Lindsey Nelson Stadium is set for 1:00 p.m. ET on SECN+.

Tennessee is looking to sweep the weekend series after winning 5-1 in the series opener and 7-3 in game two. Starting pitcher Liam Doyle and reliever Tanner Franklin were tremendous for the Vols on Friday, totaling 20 strikeouts, just one shy of the single-game program record. The hard-throwing duo allowed just four hits, one walk and one run.

On Saturday, Tennessee struggled at the plate for the vast majority of the game, but freshman Levi Clark crushed a go-ahead grand slam in the eighth that proved to be the difference. Though Tennessee’s defense wasn’t great in the narrow win, starting pitcher Marcus Phillips and reliever Nate Snead allowed only two hits while striking out 14 batters.

Read the recaps of Tennessee’s Friday and Saturday wins below.

GAME ONE RECAP: Tennessee Baseball Opens Weekend Series With Victory Over Samford

GAME TWO RECAP: Late Grand Slam Gives Tennessee Baseball Series-Clinching Win Over Samford

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

A series sweep over Samford would mark Tennessee’s second straight 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: Tony Vitello Reveals Pitching Plan for Samford Series Finale

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.

GRAND SLAM: WATCH: Levi Clark Launches Go-Ahead Grand Slam in Series-Clinching Win Over Samford

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. Vitello is also still experimenting with the day three starting pitcher role. Nate Snead started last Sunday, but with the junior having thrown 65 pitches out of the bullpen on Saturday, Vitello will give the ball to JUCO transfer left-hander Brandon Arvidson to start the series finale.

Arvidson started Tuesday’s midweek contest against UNC Asheville. The Dripping Springs, Texas, native allowed three hits, three runs (all earned) and one walk while striking out four in 2.0 innings.

Arvidson’s first appearance as a Vol came in Tennessee’s season-opening series against Hofstra, when he recorded a 1-2-3 inning on just seven pitches.

Tennessee is high on Arvidson this season, and the 6-foot-5 redshirt-sophomore will look to bounce back on Sunday after Tuesday’s subpar outing.

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.
• LHP Dylan Loy is working his way back to 100% and is expected to make his season debut soon.
• RHP Tegan Kuhns has not pitched this season due to an illness. The star freshman is available to pitch in the series finale and could make his debut Sunday.

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 Grand Slam Propelled Tennessee Baseball Past Samford

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-Clinching Win Over Samford

GAME ONE THREAD: LIVE Updates, Score, Notes: No. 4 Tennessee Baseball vs. Samford Game One

GAME TWO THREAD: LIVE Updates, Score, Notes: No. 4 Tennessee Baseball vs. Samford Game Two

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

TENNESSEE STARTING NINE: 

SS Dean Curley (R)

2B Gavin Kilen (L)

CF Hunter Ensley (R)

1B Andrew Fischer (L)

3B Manny Marin (R)

LF Dalton Bargo (L)

RF Reese Chapman (L)

C Stone Lawless (R)

DH Jay Abernathy (L)

Lineup Notes:

• Vitello continues to tinker with the infield as Marin gets the start at third.
  • Second start at 3B for Marin on the weekend.
  • Curley goes back to SS after starting at 3B Saturday. Antigua started at SS.
• Abernathy getting his second straight start at DH, third career start.
  • Abernathy went 2-4 at the plate on Saturday. Had two of UT’s six hits on the day.
• Chapman stays in the 7-hole.
• Bargo staying in left for the third straight game. Seems to be the clear leader among those competing for the LF spot.
• Fischer staying at 1B although his more natural position is 3B.

SAMFORD STARTING NINE: 

2B Jeffery Ince (S)

SS Gus Gandy (R)

DH Jake Souders (R)

LF Trey Higgins (S)

1B Jackson Harris (L)

RF Angelo Prieto (R)

3B Gatlin Pitts (R)

C Hayden Perry (R)

CF Michael Gupton (L)

Pitching Matchup:

Vols R-So. LHP Brandon Arvidson (0-0, 9.00 ERA, 2 app., 1 start, 3.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 2 XBH, .250 opp. batting avg., 1.33 WHIP)

vs.

Bulldogs G-Sr. RHP Josh Leerssen (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 app., 1 start, 3.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 0 XBH, .250 opp. batting avg., 1.33 WHIP)

Pitching notes:

• Second start of Arvidson’s Tennessee career. Third appearance
  • Had a 1-2-3 seven-pitch inning in his debut last Saturday vs. Hofstra.
  • Struggled in his start vs. UNC Asheville Tuesday. Gave up a walk, double and three-run homer in the second inning.
  • Arvidson may be used as an opener today given the large number of arms Vitello will want to use today (Combs, Behnke, Kuhns, etc.)
• Leerssen is a Birmingham-Southern College transfer. Started Samford’s series finale vs. Valparairso last weekend. Was solid in three innings of work.

Uniforms

Tennessee: Sunday creams

Samford: Navy tops grey pants

---

*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 smokes a leadoff homer to the LF porches.

-Gus Gandy flies out to LF.

-Jake Souders strikes out swinging.

-Trey Higgins grounds out to 3B.

• Nice charge and throw by Manny Marin.

END OF TOP HALF

B1

-Dean Curley singles through the right side.

-Gavin Kilen pops up to P.

-Hunter Ensley works a walk.

-Andrew Fischer infield fly to SS.

Runners advance on a balk.

-Manny Marin strikes out swinging.

• Strands runners on second and third.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 0, Bulldogs 1

2nd Inning: 

T2

-Jackson Harris strikes out swinging.

-Angelo Prieto flies out to RF.

-Gatlin Pitts flies out to deep left-center.

END OF TOP HALF

B2

-Dalton Bargo strikes out swinging.

-Reese Chapman knocks a single up the middle.

-Stone Lawless smacks a single through the left side. Chapman to second.

-Jay Abernathy works a walk.

• Bases loaded with one out for Dean Curley.

-Dean Curley reaches on an RBI fielder’s choice to SS. Abernathy out at second, 6-4. Chapman scores. Lawless scores on a throwing error by 2B.

• Should’ve been an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play. Second baseman Jeffery Ince’s throw was low and Jackson Harris couldn’t make the catch to complete the double play.

-Gavin Kilen grounds out to P.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 2, Bulldogs 1

3rd Inning: 

T3

-Hayden Perry slaps a single to RF.

*Pitching change: So. RHP Austin Hunley (1-0, 0.00 ERA) on to pitch for Arvidson*

• Hunley’s appearance solidifies the fact that Vitello has a lot of trust in Hunley this season.
• In all three of Hunley’s appearances this season, he has come in with runners on.

-Michael Gupton strikes out swinging on three pitches.

-Jeffery Ince singles through the right side. Perry to second.

-Gus Gandy flies out to CF.

-Jake Souders strikes out swinging.

• Nice job by Hunley to strand the pair of runners.

END OF TOP HALF

B3

-Hunter Ensley strikes out looking.

• Close strike three call. Could’ve gone either way.

-Andrew Fischer flies out to CF.

-Manny Marin drives a single up the middle.

-Dalton Bargo strikes out swinging.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 2, Bulldogs 1

4th Inning: 

T4

-Trey Higgins pops up to 3B.

-Jackson Harris singles up the middle.

Harris caught stealing second, 2-4.

• Really bad slide from Harris. Way early. May have not even made it to the bag. Really easy caught stealing for Tennessee.

-Angelo Prieto HBP.

-Gatlin Pitts grounds out to P.

• Nice play by Hunley. Was a hard-hit ball.

END OF TOP HALF

B4

-Reese Chapman flies out to CF.

-Stone Lawless strikes out looking.

• Another strike three call that the crowd and Lawless didn’t like much.

-Jay Abernathy singles to CF.

Abernathy steals second.

• Play was reviewed and upheld. Good job by Abernathy to avoid the tag.

-Dean Curley works a walk.

Samford calls a mound meeting.

-Gavin Kilen ropes a three-run homer to RF.

• 390 feet, 100 mph
• Kilen’s second of the season.

-Hunter Ensley smokes a solo homer to CF.

• 2nd of the season for Ensley.
• 394 feet, 100 mph
• First time Tennessee has had back-to-back homers this year.

*Pitching change: Sr. LHP Evan Steckmesser (0-0, 3.52 ERA) on to pitch for Leerssen*

-Andrew Fischer HBP.

-Manny Marin slaps a double down the RF line. Fischer scores on a fielding error by SS.

• Fischer made it to third on Marin’s double then scored as the SS had trouble fielding the throw from right.

-Dalton Bargo grounds out to 1B unassisted.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 7, Bulldogs 1

5th Inning: 

T5

*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Austin Breedlove (0-0, 0.00 ERA) on to pitch for Hunley*

*Chris Newstrom to LF for Bargo*

-Hayden Perry grounds out to SS.

• Nice scoop by Fischer at first.

-Michael Gupton singles up the middle.

-Jeffery Ince flies out to LF.

• Nice play by Newstrom in left. Back-pedaled to the warning track to make the catch. An example of why Vitello likes having Newstrom in left.

Gupton steals second.

Gupton advances to third on a wild pitch.

-Gus Gandy strikes out looking.

• Gandy thought it was ball four. Did a little bat spike before home plate ump rung him up.

END OF TOP HALF

B5

*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Bodie Vail on to pitch for Steckmesser*

• Season debut for Vail

-Reese Chapman rips a double to deep LF.

-Stone Lawless works a walk.

-Jay Abernathy grounds out to 2B. Runners advance to second and third.

*Pitching change: So. RHP John Malone (1-0, 0.00 ERA) on to pitch for Vail*

-Dean Curley works a walk.

• Bases loaded with one out for Gavin Kilen

-Gavin Kilen sends a sac fly to LF to score Chapman.

-Hunter Ensley slaps an RBI single through the left side.

-Andrew Fischer flies out to RF.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 9, Bulldogs 1

6th Inning: 

T6

*Pitching change: R-Fr. LHP Brayden Sharp (0-0, 0.00 ERA) on to pitch for Breedlove*

*Charlie Bozeman pinch-hitting for Jake Souders*

-Bozeman works a walk.

-Trey Higgins strikes out swinging.

-Jackson Harris is walked. Bozeman to second.

-Angelo Prieto strikes out swinging.

-Gatlin Pitts strikes out swinging.

• Nice back-to-back Ks from Sharp to strand a pair.

END OF TOP HALF

B6

*Pitching change: Sr. RHP Cullen Horowicz (0-0, 0.00 ERA) on to pitch for Malone*

-Manny Marin strikes out swinging.

-Chris Newstrom strikes out swinging.

*Levi Clark pinch-hitting for Reese Chapman*

-Clark smacks a solo homer to the first level of left-field porches.

• 357 feet, 97 mph.
• Clark’s 3rd HR of the season.
• Curley, Bargo and Clark all tied for team lead.
• 2nd pinch-hit HR for Clark in back-to-back days.

-Stone Lawless launches a solo homer to the top deck of the left-field porches.

• 387 feet, 103 mph.
• Lawless’ 1st HR at Tennessee.
• 2nd time UT has gone back-to-back and 2nd time this season.

*Pitching change: Sr. RHP Drew Druckenmiller (0-0, 0.00 ERA) on to pitch for Horowicz*

*Hunter High pinch-hitting for Jay Abernathy*

-High flies out to right-center.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 11, Bulldogs 1

7th Inning: 

T7

*Pitching change: RHP Ryan Combs (0-0, 0.00 ERA) on to pitch for Sharp*

*Ariel Antigua to SS for Dean Curley*

*Blake Grimmer to 3B for Gavin Kilen*

*Colby Backus to CF for Hunter Ensley*

*Manny Marin to 2B*

*Clark to RF*

-Hayden Perry strikes out looking on three pitches.

-Michael Gupton strikes out swinging.

-Jeffery Ince works a walk after a 9-pitch at-bat.

-Gus Gandy grounds out to SS.

END OF TOP HALF

Score: Vols 11, Bulldogs 1

END OF GAME

FINAL: Tennessee Vols 11, Samford Bulldogs 1 (Run Rule Win – 7 inn.)