SCORE: Tennessee 5, Oklahoma State 2 | FINAL

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

Third-ranked Tennessee baseball (8-0) is set to battle the Oklahoma State Cowboys (4-3) Friday in game one of the Astros Foundation College Classic.

First pitch at Daikin Park is set for 4:05 p.m. ET.

All games can be watched on Astros.com this weekend.

Tennessee is looking to remain undefeated on the season after earning series sweeps over Hofstra and Samford and midweek wins over UNC Asheville and North Alabama to begin the season.

While the Vols haven’t lost, they have been tested. Tennessee needed a go-ahead grand slam in the 8th inning in game two of the Samford series to win, and North Alabama had the tying run at the plate in the ninth on Tuesday.

LAST TIME OUT:  Tennessee Baseball Gets Key Pitchers Back In Win Over North Alabama

After last weekend’s series sweep of Samford, Tennessee moved up one spot in D1 Baseball’s rankings from No. 4 to No. 3. Additionally, Tennessee claimed the No. 1 spot in the USA Today Coaches Poll. Tennessee is the highest-ranked of the four undefeated teams in D1’s Top 10.

RANKINGS: Where Tennessee Baseball Lands In Various Rankings Following 7-0 Start

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 was 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.

NOTEBOOK: Tennessee Baseball Notebook: Takeaways From The Vols’ First Seven Games 

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 game three of the Hofstra series but then came out of the bullpen in game two of the Samford series, leading to Brandon Arvidson getting the nod in the series finale in an opener role.

Sunday’s starter this weekend in Houston is up in the air, but Friday and Saturday’s starters remain the same, with Liam Doyle getting the ball against Oklahoma State and Marcus Phillips starting against Rice.

Tennessee has many options for Sunday after a trio of key arms made their season debuts Tuesday. AJ Russell started against North Alabama, making his return from UCL surgery last summer. He threw one inning in an opener role and will likely do so again at some point before throwing longer outings.

Sophomore Dylan Loy and highly-touted freshman Tegan Kuhns also made their season debuts. Both will pitch this weekend and are candidates to start Sunday, along with Snead and Arvidson.

AJ RUSSELL’S ROLE: What’s Next For AJ Russell After He Made His Return For Tennessee Baseball

Injury/Availability Notes

Tennessee is at 100% with Russell, Loy and Kuhns back, but a few players of note are sidelined.

• 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.
• 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

Oklahoma State was picked to finish 1st in the 2025 Big 12 Preseason Poll but hasn’t lived up to expectations early in the season. The Cowboys were 17th in D1 Baseball’s Preseason Poll but dropped out this past week.

Despite the slow start, OSU is a very talented team with a great offense. The Cowboys boast four Preseason All-Conference selections, including outfielder Nolan Schubart who was the Preseason Player of the Year.

Pitching has been Oklahoma State’s downfall in losses, specifically the 14-8 loss to Texas. Only one Cowboy arm was a Preseason All-Big 12 selection in RHP Gabe Davis – who is starting Friday – is off to shaky start (5.06 ERA).

Friday’s meeting will be the fifth in history between Tennessee and Oklahoma State. The Vols are 4-1 in the series and 2-0 in neutral sites. The last meeting came in 2005 when Tennessee won 6-5 in Houston.

Oklahoma State is probably Tennessee’s toughest opponent of the weekend, but with the way Liam Doyle is pitching for Tennessee and OSU’s pitching struggles, the Vols have the advantage across the board in the matchup.

TRANSCRIPT: Everything Tony Vitello Said About Pitchers Returning, Tennessee Win Over North Alabama

For all of RTI’s preseason baseball coverage, including more on Tennessee’s three opponents this weekend in Houston, click here.

For the latest RTI Press Pass baseball podcast, discussing all the major takeaways from Tennessee’s series sweep of Samford, click here.

VIDEO: Tony Vitello Recaps Midweek Win Over North Alabama

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)

DH Levi Clark (R)

RF Reese Chapman (L)

C Cannon Peebles (S)

3B Manny Marin (R)

LF Jay Abernathy (L)

Lineup Notes:

• Jay Abernathy starting again in LF. Feels like he’s the top option there now.
• Levi Clark gets the DH nod and is in the 5-hole. Coaching staff has a lot of trust in the freshman who is hot at the plate right now.
• With Alberto Osuna still ineligible, Andrew Fischer stays at 1B which where he’s been in weekend games.
• With Fischer at first, Manny Marin continues to see the most opportunities at 3B.
• Cannon Peebles behind the plate to begin the series. Will likely see Stone Lawless there at some point this weekend.

OKLAHOMA STATE STARTING NINE: 

CF Brayden Smith (L)

LF Donovan LaSalle (R)

RF Nolan Schubart (L)

DH Jayson Jones (R)

1B Colin Brueggemann (L)

3B Aidan Meola (R)

C Ian Daughtery (R)

2B Brock Thompson (L)

SS Drew Culbertson (R)

Pitching Matchup:

Vols Jr. LHP Liam Doyle (2-0, 0.87 ERA, 2 app., 2 starts, 10.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 25 K, 1 XBH, .094 opp. batting avg., 0.39 WHIP)

vs.

Cowboys Jr. RHP Gabe Davis (0-0, 5.06 ERA, 2 app., 1 start, 5.1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 7 K, 1 XBH, .200 opp. batting avg., 1.31 WHIP)

Pitching notes:

• Doyle continues to start on Friday. This will be Doyle’s toughest test of the season by far.
• Davis opened the season as Oklahoma State’s day one starter but hasn’t started since.
  • Davis wasn’t great in his season-opening start vs. Clemson (3 ER, 3 BB, 6 K in 4.1 IP)
  • Davis pitched 1.0 inning in his other appearance this season vs. UT Arlington.

Uniforms

Tennessee: Home Whites

Oklahoma State: Grey shirts and pants with black caps and orange accents

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*NOTES*

• There IS a run-rule today and for all games this weekend. If Tennessee or Oklahoma State leads by 10 or more runs in M7 or later, the game is over.
• Tennessee is the HOME team.
• Tennessee’s No. 3 ranking refers to D1 Baseball’s poll.
  • Tennessee is No. 1 in the USA Today Poll, No. 2 in the NCBWA and Baseball America polls and No. 4 in the Perfect Game poll.

---

GAME THREAD

1st Inning: 

T1

-Brayden Smith strikes out swinging.

• Eight pitch at-bat. Doyle wins the battle with a 85 mph changeup.

-Donovan LaSalle strikes out swinging.

-Nolan Schubart works a walk.

Cannon Peebles catches Schubart stealing, 2-4.

• Great defensive play by UT to end the inning. Peebles sniffed it out the whole way and Schubart didn’t come close to swiping the bag.
• 4th runner Peebles has caught stealing this year.
• Semi-long inning for Doyle, who threw 23 pitches. Lots of competitive battles between him and the top of OSU’s order.

END OF TOP HALF

B1

-Dean Curley strikes out swinging.

-Gavin Kilen smashes a solo homer to RF.

• 4th HR of the season for Kilen, who now leads Tennessee.
• 394 feet, 103 mph.

-Hunter Ensley works a walk.

-Andrew Fischer flies out to shallow LF.

-Levi Clark flies out to deep CF.

• Good play by Brayden Smith who had to sprint towards the wall to make the play.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 1, Cowboys 0

2nd Inning: 

T2

-Jayson Jones grounds out to SS.

-Colin Brueggemann smacks a double to the right-center gap.

-Aidan Meola strikes out looking.

-Ian Daughtery pops up to 1B.

END OF TOP HALF

B2

-Reese Chapman strikes out swinging.

-Cannon Peebles HBP.

-Manny Marin works a walk. Peebles to second.

-Jay Abernathy strikes out swinging.

-Dean Curley strikes out swinging after a six-pitch at-bat.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 1, Cowboys 0

3rd Inning: 

T3

-Brock Thompson strikes out swinging.

-Drew Culbertson strikes out looking on three pitches.

Brayden Smith takes a long time to approach the plate. Had a long – too long – conversation with OK State HC Josh Holliday before the home plate ump broke it up.

• First pitch of the at-bat is a fast ball upstairs. Smith had to dodge it.

-Brayden Smith slaps a single to RF, out at second 9-6.

• Close call. Play was reviewed and the call STOOD at second. Really good throw from Chapman and great decision by Kilen to not cut it off.

END OF TOP HALF

B3

-Gavin Kilen launches a leadoff solo homer to LF.

• On an 0-2 pitch.
• Kilen’s 2nd HR of the game and 5th of the season. 4th in his past THREE games.
• 356 feet, 96 mph.

-Hunter Ensley strikes out swinging on three pitches.

-Andrew Fischer works a walk.

-Levi Clark rips a single to LF after an 11-pitch at-bat. Fischer to second.

• Clark fouled off 7 pitches. Tremendous AB.

-Reese Chapman fouls out to deep LF. Clark and Fischer advance.

• Nice slid by Fischer at third.

-Cannon Peebles strikes out swinging.

• Five runners left on-base so far for UT.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 2, Cowboys 0

4th Inning: 

T4

-Donovan LaSalle strikes out swinging.

-Nolan Schubart strikes out looking.

• Schubart did not like the strike three call.

-Jayson Jones strikes out swinging.

END OF TOP HALF

B4

-Manny Marin ropes a solo homer to LF.

• 1st career homer for Marin.
• 356 feet, 95 mph.

*Pitching change: Fr. RHP Stormy Rhodes (0-0, 0.00 ERA) on to pitch for Davis*

-Jay Abernathy strikes out looking after an 8-pitch at-bat.

-Dean Curley lifts a solo homer to RF.

• 4th HR of the season for Curley.
• 372 feet, 100 mph.

-Gavin Kilen flies out to deep CF.

-Hunter Ensley grounds out to SS.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 4, Cowboys 0

5th Inning: 

T5

-Colin Brueggemann singles to SS.

• Curley’s throw was too far outside but it may have not beat Brueggemann anyway.

-Aidan Meola strikes out looking after an eight-pitch at-bat.

RHP Tanner Franklin and LHP Dylan Loy warming up in the bullpen.

-Ian Daughtery works a walk.

*Pitching change: So. LHP Dylan Loy (0-0, 0.00 ERA) on to pitch for Doyle*

-Brock Thompson strikes out swinging.

*Garrett Shull pinch-hitting for Drew Culbertson*

-Shull strikes out swinging on three pitches.

END OF TOP HALF

B5

FINAL LINE for Liam Doyle: 4.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 K, 54 strikes on 90 total pitches

*Brayden Smith to 2B*

*Brock Thompson to SS*

*Shull to CF*

-Andrew Fischer chops a single to 3B.

• Meola tried to bare-hand field the chopper in the shallow infield but failed to pick up the ball.

-Levi Clark reaches on a fielder’s choice to SS. Fischer out at second, 6-4.

• Should have been a line out but Thompson dropped it. Flips to second instead for an easy out.

-Reese Chapman strikes out swinging.

-Cannon Peebles grounds out to 2B.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 4, Cowboys 0

6th Inning: 

T6

*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Tanner Franklin (0-0, 0.00 ERA) on to pitch for Loy*

-Brayden Smith strikes out looking.

-Donovan LaSalle strikes out swinging.

-Nolan Schubart flies out to CF.

• Nice 1-2-3 inning for Franklin.

END OF TOP HALF

B6

-Manny Marin slaps a double to left-center.

• Speed on display there from Manny who legged out a tough double.

-Jay Abernathy flies out to CF. Marin advances to third.

-Dean Curley knocks an RBI groundout to SS.

• Nice play by the shortstop as he dove for the ball and made the play.

-Gavin Kilen singles through the right side.

-Hunter Ensley smacks a single to RF. Kilen to second.

Runners advance on a wild pitch.

––Andrew Fischer smokes a baseball just foul. Would’ve been a 3-run HR.

-Andrew Fischer strikes out swinging to strand a pair.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 5, Cowboys 0

7th Inning: 

T7

-Jayson Jones strikes out looking.

-Colin Brueggemann sends a solo homer to LF.

• First run Franklin has allowed this season.

-Aidan Meola grounds out to SS.

-Ian Daughtery smokes a double to deep center.

-Brock Thompson strikes out swinging.

END OF TOP HALF

B7

Nate Snead is tossing and stretching in the bullpen.

-Levi Clark strikes out swinging.

-Reese Chapman singles through the right side.

• 9-game hit streak for Chapman. He has a hit in every game this season.

-Cannon Peebles reaches on a fielder’s choice to SS. Chapman out at second, SS unassisted. Peebles advances to second on a throwing error by SS.

• Should have been a double play but Thompson’s poor throw went into the Tennessee dugout, allowing Peebles to reach first then advance to second.

-Manny Marin strikes out swinging on three pitches.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 5, Cowboys 1

8th Inning: 

T8

*Curley to 3B*

*Ariel Antigua to SS for Manny Marin*

-Garrett Shull is walked.

-Brayden Smith out at first, 1-4-3. Shull to second.

• Incredible play by Gavin Kilen. Ball ricocheted off Franklin’s glove, then Kilen picked it up with his glove and flipped to Fischer for the out.

-Donovan LaSalle knocks an RBI ground-rule double to right-center.

-Nolan Schubart grounds out to 2B. LaSalle to third.

-Jayson Jones strikes out swinging.

END OF TOP HALF

B8

-Jay Abernathy grounds out to 2B.

-Dean Curley flies out to the warning track in right-center.

-Gavin Kilen pops up to 3B.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 5, Cowboys 2

9th Inning: 

T9

*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Nate Snead (1-0, 1.23 ERA) on to pitch for Franklin*

*Dalton Bargo at 1B for Andrew Fischer*

-Colin Brueggemann grounds out to 2B.

-Aidan Meola reaches on a throwing error by Dean Curley.

• Error goes on Curley but Bargo could’ve made the play. Throw was low, though. Thought it was a nice charge by Dean.

-Ian Daughtery pops up to SS.

-Brock Thompson flies out to RF.

END OF TOP HALF

Score: Vols 5, Cowboys 2

END OF GAME

FINAL: Tennessee Vols 5, Oklahoma State Cowboys 2