SCORE: Tennessee 13, Rice 3 | FINAL

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

Third-ranked Tennessee baseball (9-0) is set to battle the Rice Owls (2-6) Saturday in the Astros Foundation College Classic.

First pitch at Daikin Park is set for 12:05 p.m. ET (11:05 a.m. local)

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

Tennessee is looking to remain undefeated on the season and in Houston after a 5-2 win over Oklahoma State Friday. Pitching was the story as Liam Doyle, Dylan Loy and Tanner Franklin all turned in key performances. Four of the Vols’ five runs were solo homers, with Gavin Kilen hitting two.

Read the recap of Tennessee’s win over Oklahoma State here.

ROLE DEVELOPING?: Dylan Loy Crucial Relief Outing a Sign of Things to Come?

Before the win over OSU, Tennessee swept Samford last weekend and defeated North Alabama in the midweek.

After the 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

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.

A potential option to be Sunday’s starter emerged Tuesday when highly-touted freshman Tegan Kuhns made his season debut, pitching one inning. Kuhns will pitch this weekend, and it could be in a starter role.

AJ Russell is also an option as he made his return Tuesday against North Alabama in an opener role. If Russell does start Sunday, it will likely be in an opener role again.

Snead and Arvidson are also options. Snead pitched in Friday’s win over Oklahoma State, but it was only a 9-pitch inning.

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, Kuhns and Dylan Loy 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

Rice is the weakest opponent Tennessee will face this weekend. The Owls are off to a poor 2-6 start with wins over USC and Sam Houston. The Owls got run-ruled by Mississippi State Friday in Houston, 14-3 (7 innings).

Rice opened the season in the Puerto Rico Challenge, where it lost all three games to Villanova, Michigan and Virginia.

After a Sam Houston midweek win, Rice split a two-game series with USC (third was canceled) then lost a midweek battle against Arizona in an 11-8 high-scoring affair.

Rice was picked to finish last in the AAC Preseason Coaches Poll and 9th by the media.

Head coach Jose Cruz Jr. is entering his 4th year and has just one Preseason All-AAC selection in RHP Davion Hickson. Hickson has been sharp to start the season but UT will avoid him as he pitched Friday against Mississippi State.

Expect Tennessee to win comfortably.

This will be the second meeting between Tennessee and Rice. The Owls won the first matchup in Houston in 2012.

TRANSCRIPT: Everything Tony Vitello Said After Tennessee Baseball Beat Oklahoma State in Houston

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 Tennessee Baseball Win Over Oklahoma State

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)

DH Andrew Fischer (L)

1B Levi Clark (R)

RF Reese Chapman (L)

3B Manny Marin (R)

C Stone Lawless (R)

LF Jay Abernathy (L)

Lineup Notes:

• Levi Clark getting his first defensive start of the season, filling in at 1B.
• Andrew Fischer moves to DH with Clark handling 1B duties.
• Jay Abernathy starting again in LF. Third straight game. Feels like he’s the top option there now.
• Stone Lawless behind the plate after Peebles started Friday.

RICE STARTING NINE: 

LF Tobias Motley (R)

RF Austin Eppley (R)

1B Gunnett Carlson (L)

C Landon West (R)

P Blaine Brown (L)

3B Treyton Rank (R)

SS Michael Zito (R)

CF Colin Robson (R)

2B Hiram Bocachica Jr. (R)

Pitching Matchup:

Vols Jr. RHP Marcus Phillips (0-0, 1.04 ERA, 2 app., 2 starts, 8.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 12 K, .069 opp. batting avg., 0.81 WHIP)

vs.

Owls Fr. LHP Blaine Brown (0-0, 3.37 ERA, 3 app., 1 start, 2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 4 K, .182 opp. batting avg., 2.25 WHIP)

Pitching notes:

• Phillips continues to get the nod in a game two setting.
• Brown is a two-way player also hitting fifth in the lineup.
  • Brown has struggled with command in limited action this season and has not pitched more than one inning in any appearance so far.

Uniforms

Tennessee: Smokey Greys

• First time Tennessee has worn Smokey Greys this season

Rice: White shirts and pants with navy caps

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*NOTES*

• There IS a run-rule today and for all games this weekend. If Tennessee or Rice leads by 10 or more runs in M7 or later, the game is over.
• Tennessee is the ROAD 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

-Dean Curley works a leadoff walk.

-Gavin Kilen is walked.

-Hunter Ensley strikes out looking.

Kilen and Curley steal second and third, Curley scores on a throwing error by C. Kilen to third on the error.

-Andrew Fischer works a walk.

-Levi Clark is walked.

• Bases loaded with one out for Reese Chapman.

-Reese Chapman reaches on a throwing error by SS. Clark to second. Fischer to third. Kilen scores. RBI for Chapman.

-Manny Marin sends a sac fly to the warning track in LF.

-Stone Lawless flies out to deep left-center.

END OF TOP HALF

B1

-Tobias Motley strikes out looking.

-Austin Eppley works a walk.

-Gunnett Carlson slaps a single to left field.

-Landon West rips a single through the left side.

• Bases loaded with one out for Blaine Brown.

Eppley scores on a wild pitch.

-Blaine Brown fouls out to 3B.

-Treyton Rank strikes out swinging.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 3, Owls 1

2nd Inning: 

T2

-Jay Abernathy grounds out to 2B.

-Dean Curley strikes out looking.

-Gavin Kilen sends a double to deep left-field.

-Hunter Ensley knocks an RBI single to right field.

-Andrew Fisher is walked.

-Levi Clark launches a three-run home run to right field.

• 4th HR of the season for Clark.
• 368 feet, 102 mph

-Reese Chapman singles to right-center.

-Manny Marin grounds out to 2B.

END OF TOP HALF

B2

-Michael Zito strikes out swinging.

-Colin Robson strikes out swinging.

-Hiram Bocachica Jr. flies out to CF.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 7, Owls 1

3rd Inning: 

T3

-Stone Lawless fouls out to C.

-Jay Abernathy grounds out to P on a bunt.

-Dean Curley lines out to 2B.

END OF TOP HALF

B3

-Tobias Motley grounds out to SS.

-Austin Eppley strikes out swinging.

-Gunnett Carlson strikes out swinging on three pitches.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 7, Owls 1

4th Inning: 

T4

-Gavin Kilen sends a towering solo homer to right field.

• Moonshot.
• 6th HR of the season for Kile, who leads Tennessee.
• 348 feet, 100 mph.

-Hunter Ensley grounds out to 3B.

-Andrew Fischer singles to 3B on a shift-beating swinging bunt.

-Levi Clark strikes out swinging.

Fischer steals second.

• Was initially ruled out to end the inning but the play was reviewed and OVERTURNED.

-Reese Chapman is walked.

-Manny Marin flies out to the warning track in left-center.

END OF TOP HALF

B4

-Landon West grounds out to SS.

-Blaine Brown doubles to left-center.

-Treyton Rank strikes out swinging.

-Michael Zito singles to right field. Brown to third.

• Hard-hit ball ricocheted off of Kilen’s glove. Was a really tough play to make.

Zito steals second.

-Colin Robson strikes out looking.

• Phillips’ 8th K ties his career high.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 8, Owls 1

5th Inning: 

T5

*Pitching change: Fr. RHP Caleb Williams (no stats) on to pitch for McCracken*

-Stone Lawless strikes out swinging.

-Jay Abernathy pops up to SS in shallow left field.

-Dean Curley grounds out to SS.

END OF TOP HALF

B5

*Chris Newstrom to LF for Jay Abernathy*

-Hiram Bocachica grounds out to SS.

-Tobias Motley grounds out to 3B.

-Austin Eppley singles down the RF line.

• Would’ve been tough but Clark could have made a play.

*Pitching change: So. LHP Brayden Sharp (0-0, 0.00 ERA) on to pitch for Phillips*

-Gunnett Carlson strikes out looking on three pitches.

FINAL LINE for Marcus Phillips: 4.2 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K (tied career-high), 63 strikes on 89 total pitches

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 8, Owls 1

6th Inning: 

T6

*Pitching change: Fr. LHP Nolan Roycraft on to pitch for Williams*

*Max Johnson to 3B for Treyton Rank*

-Gavin Kilen ropes a solo homer to right-center.

• 7th HR of the season for Kilen.
• Back-to-back two-homer days for Kilen. Absurd.
• 400 feet, 110 mph

-Hunter Ensley strikes out swinging on three pitches.

-Andrew Fischer flies out to RF.

-Levi Clark strikes out swinging.

END OF TOP HALF

B6

*Ariel Antigua to SS for Levi Clark*

*Curley to 3B*

*Marin to 1B*

-Landon West strikes out looking.

*Javier Vazquez pinch-hitting for Blaine Brown*

-Vazquez grounds out to 3B.

• Close call at first. The play was reviewed and STOOD.
• Really good pick from Marin at first.

-Michael Zito grounds out to 1B unassisted.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 9, Owls 1

7th Inning: 

T7

*Lorenzo Rios to C for Landon West*

-Reese Chapman flies out to the warning track in right field.

-Manny Marin flies out to SS in left field.

-Stone Lawless lines out to 3B.

• Incredible diving catch by the third baseman.

END OF TOP HALF

B7

*Pitching change: Fr. RHP Nic Abraham (1-0, 4.50 ERA) on to pitch for Sharp*

-Colin Robson strikes out swinging, reaches on wild pitch.

Robson advances to second on a throwing error by P.

-Hiram Bocachica Jr. reaches on an infield single. Robson to third.

-Tobias Motley strikes out looking.

-Austin Eppley sends an RBI groundout to SS. Bocachica Jr. to second.

*Pitching change: Jr. LHP Michael Sharman (0-0, 16.20 ERA) on to pitch for Abraham*

*Graiden West pinch-hitting for Gunnett Carlson*

-West smacks an RBI ground-rule double to right field.

-Lorenzo Rios strikes out swinging on three pitches.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 9, Owls 3

8th Inning: 

T8

*Pitching change: Sr. RHP Micah Davis (no stats) on to pitch for Roycraft*

-Chris Newstrom is walked on four pitches.

Newstrom advances on a wild pitch.

-Dean Curley is walked.

*Pitching change: Fr. RHP Marco Fuentes (no stats) on to pitch for Davis*

Chris Newstrom advances to third on a wild pitch.

-Gavin Kilen ropes a two-run triple to right-center.

-Hunter Ensley knocks an RBI single through the right side.

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

-Ariel Antigua flies out to right-center.

*Dalton Bargo pinch-hitting for Reese Chapman*

-Bargo lines out to LF.

• Nice catch by Rice left-fielder Tobias Motley.

END OF TOP HALF

B8

*Colby Backus to CF for Manny Marin*

*Bargo to 1B*

*Hunter High to LF for Hunter Ensley*

*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Austin Breedlove (0-0, 2.70 ERA) on to pitch for Sharman*

-Javier Vazquez lines out to RF.

• AMAZING diving catch by Hunter High in right.

-Max Johnson strikes out swinging.

*Pitching change: So. RHP Tanner Wiggins (0-0, 0.00 ERA) on to pitch for Breedlove*

-Michael Zito singles up the middle.

-Colin Robson is walked on four pitches.

-Hiram Bocachica Jr. strikes out swinging.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 12, Owls 3

9th Inning: 

T9

*Pitching change: Fr. RHP Ethan Atchley (0-0, 9.00 ERA) on to pitch for Fuentes*

-Colby Backus is walked.

-Stone Lawless smacks an RBI double to left-center. Backus scores from first.

-Chris Newstrom grounds out to 2B. Lawless to third.

*Blake Grimmer pinch-hitting for Dean Curley*

-Blake Grimmer HBP.

-Gavin Kilen grounds into a 6-3 double play.

END OF TOP HALF

B9

*Pitching change: Fr. RHP Brayden Krenzel (0-0, 0.00 ERA) on to pitch for Wiggins*

*Grimmer to 3B*

-Tobias Motley strikes out looking on three pitches.

-Austin Eppley pops up to 1B.

-Graiden West strikes out swinging on three pitches.

END OF GAME

Score: Vols 13, Owls 3

FINAL: Tennessee Vols 13, Rice Owls 3