Tennessee baseball is back in action this weekend as they head to Houston for three games at the Astros Foundation College Classic.
The Vols enter the weekend 8-0 but will face their stiffest competition of the season to date with a pair of matchups against power four teams. Those matchups start Friday night when Tennessee faces Oklahoma State.
Here’s how to watch the matchup and a few more notes to watch for as the Vols open the weekend against the Cowboys.
More From RTI: What’s Next For AJ Russell After He Made His Return For Tennessee Baseball
How to Watch: No. 3 Tennessee Baseball (8-0) vs. Oklahoma State (4-3)
- Streaming at Astros.com.
- Streaming @Astros on X (Twitter)
- PxP: Randy McIlvoy, CC: Pat Combs
- Radio: Vol Network at UTSports.com
A Quick Look At Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State isn’t ranked in D1Baseball’s top 25 but are in the back half of both Baseball America’s top 25 and the USA Today Coaches Poll.
The Cowboys have played a tough schedule to date, competing in the Shriner’s Children College Showdown the first weekend of the season where they went 1-2. Oklahoma State lost a close game to Clemson and a 14-8 shootout to Texas while earning a victory against Louisville.
Josh Holliday’s 13th Oklahoma State team dropped a midweek matchup against Texas State while winning two games against UT Arlington and a lone matchup against Abiline Christian.
Liam Doyle Faces His Toughest Task Of The Season To Date
Tennessee ace Liam Doyle has been dominant to this point in the season. In two starts against Hofstra and Samford, Doyle has allowed just one run on three hits in 10.1 innings of action. Doyle has also struck out an incredible 25 batters in his first two outings.
The challenge gets much more difficult for Doyle on Friday as he faces the Cowboys. Oklahoma State is known for great hitting under Holliday’s guidance and this Cowboy team seems to match the bill.
Oklahoma State is averaging 8.8 runs per game and even 8.3 runs per game against power four competition.
Tennessee Is Getting Healthier On The Mound But Isn’t Quite At Full Strength
Tennessee had three key pitchers make their season debuts against North Alabama on Tuesday night. High-end right hander AJ Russell struck out the side in the first inning in his first outing since he had Tommy John surgery last summer.
Russell was the big name but freshman Tegan Kuhns (illness) and Dylan Loy (non arm upper body injury) also made their season debuts against the Lions.
So who will be available this weekend? Russell won’t pitch again until the next midweek while Kuhns and Loy should be good to throw again though Friday might be a quick turnaround. Junior LHP Andrew Behnke didn’t pitch last weekend while dealing with some tightness. He won’t see action against the Cowboys but could be available for the end of the weekend.
Expect a steady does of Doyle and RHP Tanner Franklin on Friday night in Houston.
