SCORE: Tennessee 4, West Georgia 2 | FINAL
***SCROLL DOWN FOR LIVE AT-BAT BY AT-BAT FEED***
Second-ranked Tennessee baseball (16-0) is set to host the West Georgia (8-6) Tuesday in a midweek contest in Knoxville.
First pitch at Lindsey Nelson Stadium is at 4:30 p.m. ET on SECN+.
Tennessee enters the contest coming off a series sweep of St. Bonaventure. The Vols are still undefeated on the season and are off to a 16-0 start, the best in program history.
HISTORIC START: Tennessee Baseball Off to Best Start in Program History
Tennessee has had a dominant start to the season, out-scoring opponents 199-35. The Vols passed their toughest test of the season a couple weekends ago in Houston at the Astros Foundation College Classic, beating Arizona and Oklahoma State 5-1 and 5-2, respectively.
UT also owns series sweeps over Hofstra and Samford along with midweek wins over UNC Asheville, North Alabama, Radford and Xavier.
Getting off to the best start in program history wasn’t the only history Tennessee made against St. Bonaventure, as the Vols combined to throw their fourth team no-hitter in program history Friday and ninth overall.
Read more about Tennessee’s no-hitter HERE.
After the series sweep, Tennessee did not change in any of the five Top 25 polls. The Vols are still the No. 2 team according to D1 Baseball and No. 1 in the other four polls (NCBWA, Perfect Game, Baseball America, USA Today Coaches).
RANKINGS: Where Tennessee Baseball Lands In Various Rankings Entering SEC Play
Tennessee’s freshman slugger Levi Clark and starting pitcher Liam Doyle earned confernce honors following their respective performances against St. Bonaventure. Doyle won SEC Pitcher of the Week and Clark won SEC Co-Freshman of the Week.
The worst part of Tennessee’s undefeated season so far is first baseman Alberto Osuna having his injunction for another season of eligibility denied by a judge last Monday.
In response, Osuna penned a letter to the NCAA requesting they make things right and grant him eligibility.
Read more about the court’s decision and its impact on Osuna HERE.
Tennessee fans have been showing extra support for Osuna as of late. The Rock on UT’s campus had Osuna’s face painted on Monday with a message saying “#FreeBerto.”
SUPPORT: ‘Free Berto’: University of Tennessee ‘Rock’ Painted In Support Of Alberto Osuna
With Osuna still ineligible, Andrew Fischer and Levi Clark figure to get the vast majority of reps at first base. With Fischer primarily playing first instead of third base, his natural position, Manny Marin and Dalton Bargo will get the majority of opportunities at third.
Injury/Availability Notes
Tennessee is basically at 100%, but some players are still unavailable.
- UNC transfer first baseman Alberto Osuna remains ineligible.
- LHP Andrew Behnke hasn’t pitched since the Hofstra series but should make his return soon.
- RHP AJ Russell is fine and did not suffer a setback after making his return from UCL surgery against North Alabama, but Tennessee is exercising caution and likely won’t ramp up his action until April.
- 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
West Georgia is in its first year as a D1 program. The Wolves were picked to finish last in the ASUN and boast no Preseason All-Conference selections.
Head coach is entering his sixth season at West Georgia. The Wolves went 23-27 last year in DII ball and did not reach the postseason.
It should be a dominant win for the Vols on Tuesday.
TRANSCRIPT: Everything Tony Vitello Said After Tennessee Baseball Swept St. Bonaventure
For all of RTI’s preseason baseball coverage, including how Liam Doyle is currently viewed as the top prospect in the 2025 MLB Draft by one analyst, click here.
For the latest RTI Diamond Pass podcast, discussing all the major takeaways from Tennessee’s series sweep of St. Bonaventure and updates on the status of AJ Russell and Andrew Behnke, click here.
VIDEO: Tony Vitello Recaps Series Sweep of St. Bonaventure, Updates AJ Russell’s Status
Lineups, pitching matchup and additional pre-game notes are below, followed by the LIVE at-bat by at-bat game thread.
Starting Lineups
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)
LF Chris Newstrom (R)
3B Dalton Bargo (L)
Lineup Notes:
- Chris Newstrom getting the start in left. He hasn’t started since last week’s contest vs. Radford. Newstrom did hit a three-run homer in the series finale against St. Bonaventure, his first in a UT uniform.
- Hunter Ensley back in center and hitting third after an off-day on Sunday.
- Cannon Peebles behind the plate after Lawless started Sunday.
- Dalton Bargo gets the nod at 3B. Had his best weekend of the season last weekend (4-8 w/ 2 HR).
- No Manny Marin as Bargo gets the start.
WEST GEORGIA STARTING NINE:
CF Cooper Prince (L)
LF Brady McDevitt (L)
2B Patrick McCullough (R)
1B Carter Dierdorf (L)
RF Landon Weidner (R)
3B Blake Bradford (S)
DH Luke Johnson (S)
C Mason Cooper (R)
SS Jacob Bowman (R)
Pitching Matchup:
Vols Fr. RHP Brayden Krenzel (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 4 app., 0 starts, 3.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 10 K, 0 XBH, .333 opp. batting avg., 1.20 WHIP)
vs.
Wolves Jr. RHP Evimael Quiles (0-0, 2.45 ERA, 2 app., 2 starts, 7.1 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 2 XBH, .280 opp. batting avg., 1.36 WHIP)
Pitching notes:
- First career start for Krenzel. Has done well as a depth bullpen arm so far.
Uniforms
Tennessee: Midweek pinstripes
West Georgia: Red shirts, grey pants, red caps
*NOTES*
- There IS a run-rule today. If Tennessee leads by 10 or more runs in M7 or later, the game is over.
- Tennessee’s No. 2 ranking refers to D1 Baseball’s poll.
- Tennessee is No. 1 in all other polls (USA Today Poll, NCBWA, Baseball America and Perfect Game).
GAME THREAD
1st Inning:
T1
-Cooper Prince flies out to CF.
-Brady McDevitt flies out to RF in right-center.
-Patrick McCullough HBP.
-Carter Dierdorf is walked.
McCullough caught stealing second, 2-5.
- 6th caught stealing for Peebles.
END OF TOP HALF
B1
-Dean Curley grounds out to 2B.
-Gavin Kilen flies out to CF.
-Hunter Ensley works a walk.
-Andrew Fischer hammers a two-run homer to left field.
- 378 feet, 101 mph.
- Fischer’s 7th HR of the season. 6th in the last 7 games.
- Tennessee’s 50th HR of the season.
-Levi Clark grounds out to 3B.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 2, Wolves 0
2nd Inning:
T2
*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Austin Breedlove (1-0, 1.35 ERA) on to pitch for Krenzel*
-Landon Weidner singles up the middle.
Weidner advances to second on a throwing error by P, failed pickoff attempt.
-Blake Bradford grounds out to 3B.
- Nice catch by Fischer. Had to extend a good bit cross body.
-Mason Cooper strikes out swinging.
-Jacob Bowman grounds out to 2B.
- Nice play by Kilen. Was a hard-hit ball.
END OF TOP HALF
B2
-Reese Chapman is walked on four pitches.
-Cannon Peebles grounds out to P. Chapman to second.
- Pitcher bobbled the ball to make it closer than it should’ve been. Still looked out.
- Play was reviewed and STOOD.
-Chris Newstrom strikes out swinging.
-Dalton Bargo works a walk.
-Dean Curley HBP.
- Bases loaded with two outs for Gavin Kilen.
*Pitching change: Sr. LHP Brendan Parks (1-0, 2.00 ERA) on to pitch for Quiles*
-Gavin Kilen grounds out to 1B unassisted to strand ’em.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 2, Wolves 0
3rd Inning:
T3
*Pitching change: Fr. RHP Brayden Sharp (1-0, 0.00 ERA) on to pitch for Breedlove*
-Cooper Prince doubles to RF.
-Brady McDevitt grounds out to P on a bunt. Prince to third.
-Patrick McCullough sends an RBI groundout to 1B, unassisted.
-Carter Dierdorf strikes out looking.
END OF TOP HALF
B3
-Hunter Ensley works a walk.
-Andrew Fischer flies out to LF.
-Levi Clark slaps a single up the middle. Ensley to second.
-Reese Chapman strikes out swinging.
*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Camden Diamond (0-0, 27.00 ERA) on to pitch for Parks*
-Cannon Peebles lines out to SS.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 2, Wolves 1
4th Inning:
T4
*Pitching change: So. RHP Thomas Crabtree (0-0, 2.45 ERA) on to pitch for Sharp*
-Landon Weidner strikes out swinging.
-Blake Bradford pops up to SS.
-Luke Johnson strikes out swinging, out at first C to 1B.
- Initially ruled safe but call was OVERTURNED. Kept his foot on first.
- Nice catch by Fischer who had to extend to get it. Has made some nice defensive plays at first tonight.
END OF TOP HALF
B4
-Chris Newstrom flies out to RF.
-Dalton Bargo strikes out swinging.
-Dean Curley singles to right field.
-Gavin Kilen works a walk. Curley to second.
-Hunter Ensley grounds out to 3B.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 2, Wolves 1
5th Inning:
T5
-Mason Cooper grounds out to 3B.
-Jacob Bowman flies out to RF.
-Cooper Prince grounds out to 2B.
- 7-pitch 1-2-3 inning for Crabtree. He’s retired all six batters he’s faced.
END OF TOP HALF
B5
*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Gavin Mask (2-0, 8.10 ERA) on to pitch for Diamond*
-Andrew Fischer flies out to RF.
- Amazing diving catch by Landon Weidner. Fischer robbed of an extra-base hit.
-Levi Clark lines out to 3B.
- Smoked it right to him.
-Reese Chapman works a walk.
-Cannon Peebles draws a walk. Chapman to second.
-Chris Newstrom rips an RBI single to left field to score Chapman. Peebles to second.
-Dalton Bargo lines out to RF.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 3, Wolves 1
6th Inning:
T6
-Brady McDevit grounds out to SS.
-Patrick McCullough grounds out to SS.
-Carter Dierdorf strikes out swinging.
- 9 up, 9 down for Crabtree. Undoubtedly his best outing so far this season.
END OF TOP HALF
B6
*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Ian Moore (0-0, 6.75 ERA) on to pitch for Mask*
-Dean Curley HBP.
-Gavin Kilen drives a single through the left side.
-Hunter Ensley works a walk.
- Bases loaded with no outs for Andrew Fischer.
*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Bryan Gomez (0-1, 14.40 ERA) on to pitch for Moore*
-Andrew Fischer sends a sac fly to right-center. Curley scores, Kilen to third.
- Another incredible diving catch by Weidner.
-Levi Clark grounds into a 6-4-3 double play.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 4, Wolves 1
7th Inning:
T7
-Landon Weidner flies out to RF.
-Blake Bradford singles to center field.
- Ends Crabtree’s streak of 10 straight retired.
*Pitching change: So. LHP Brandon Arvidson (1-0, 4.15 ERA) on to pitch for Crabtree*
*Jack Witmer pinch-hitting for Luke Johnson*
-Witmer strikes out swinging. Bradford to second on a passed ball.
-Mason Cooper pops up to 1B.
END OF TOP HALF
B7
-Reese Chapman strikes out swinging on three pitches.
-Cannon Peebles flies out to RF.
-Chris Newstrom works a walk.
*Jay Abernathy pinch-running for Chris Newstrom*
-Dalton Bargo grounds out to 3B.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 4, Wolves 1
8th Inning:
T8
*Pitching change: R-So. RHP Austin Hunley (2-0, 4.05 ERA) on to pitch for Arvidson*
*Abernathy to LF*
-Jacob Bowman reaches on a fielding error by 3B.
- Suck under Bargo’s glove.
-Cooper Prince fouls out to LF.
- Deep foul out.
*Pitching change: Jr. LHP Michael Sharman (0-0, 6.75 ERA) on to pitch for Hunley*
-Brady McDevitt delivers an RBI double to right-center, out at third 8-9-6-5. Bowman scores.
- Ensley bobbled the ball then Chapman fired the throw to cut-off man Curley. Curley’s throw to Bargo was just in time.
-Patrick McCullough flies out to CF.
END OF TOP HALF
B8
*Pitching change: Sr. RHP Dosie Drakeford (0-0, 7.50 ERA) on to pitch for Gomez*
-Dean Curley lines out to LF.
-Gavin Kilen grounds out to P.
-Hunter Ensley flies out to the warning track in left field.
- First time Tennessee has gone down in order tonight.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 4, Wolves 2
9th Inning:
T9
*Pitching change: So. LHP Dylan Loy (2-0, 0.00 ERA) on to pitch for Sharman*
*Manny Marin to 3B for Dalton Bargo*
-Carter Dierdorf flies out to the warning track in left field.
*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Ryan Combs (0-0, 3.18 ERA) on to pitch for Loy*
-Landon Weidner grounds out to 3B.
-Blake Bradford out at first 1B to P.
END OF TOP HALF
Score: Vols 4, Wolves 2
END OF GAME
FINAL: Tennessee Vols 4, West Georgia Wolves 2
