SCORE: Tennessee 10, Florida 0 | FINAL (7 inn. – Run-Rule)

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

Second-ranked Tennessee baseball (18-0) is set to host the seventh-ranked Florida Gators (16-3) Saturday in game two of a three-game series in Knoxville.

First pitch at Lindsey Nelson Stadium is at 3:30 p.m. ET on the SEC Network.

This is Tennessee’s first nationally televised game of the season.

First pitch was initially scheduled for 6 p.m. ET, but with Knoxville set to experience thunderstorms later in the evening, the start time was pushed up.

The Vols won the series opener 5-3 in an exciting Friday night game. Liam Doyle did his part as the starter and Nate Snead shoved in a relief outing while Hunter Ensley delivered in a big moment.

Read about Tennessee’s series-opening win in its SEC opener HERE.

For a full preview of the Florida series, including information on how to watch all three games and a prediction, click HERE.

Tennessee is still the only undefeated team in the country. The Vols’ midweek win over West Georgia Tuesday coincided with Florida beating then-unbeaten Florida State, leaving Tennessee as the lone perfect team in the sport.

Prior to the midweek win over West Georgia, Tennessee swept St. Bonaventure, outscoring the Bonnies 36-3. Tennessee made history twice in the series sweep, The Vols combined to throw a no-hitter in the series opener for the fourth time in program history, and it marked the ninth Tennessee no-hitter overall.

Additionally, Tennessee’s win in the series finale to improve to 16-0 put the 2025 Vols atop the record books as having the best start to a season in program history.

HISTORIC START: Tennessee Baseball Off to Best Start in Program History

Tennessee has been dominant in its 18-0 start. The Vols’ pitching staff has a 1.85 team ERA while the offense has recorded 50 home runs. Overall, Tennessee has outscored opponents 208-40 this season.

Tennessee has been tested, too. In addition to the series-opening win over Florida, Tennessee also beat Preseason Top 25 teams Oklahoma State and Arizona in Houston two weeks ago at the Astros Foundation College Classic.

UT also owns series sweeps over Hofstra and Samford along with midweek wins over UNC Asheville, North Alabama, Radford, Xavier and West Georgia this season.

After the series sweep of St. Bonaventure, 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 conference 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 it Monday with a message saying “#FreeBerto.”

Additionally, during a meeting of the House of Representatives, East Tennessee congressman Tim Burchett used his one minute, 53 second general speech to inform people about Osuna’s case while imploring the NCAA to grant the transfer slugger immediate eligibility.

OSUNA: Tim Burchett Calls For NCAA To Grant Alberto Osuna Eligibility During Congressional Hearing

With Osuna still ineligible, Andrew Fischer figures 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

Florida has been among the best teams in the nation so far this season. The Gators return a bunch of key pieces from last year’s squad that reached the CWS Semifinals and boast plenty of talented freshmen.

The Gators own series sweeps over Air Force, Dayton and Harvard along with midweek wins over Top-5 Florida State, FAU, North Florida, Stetson and Jacksonville. Florida also won two-of-three games in a series against Miami in Gainesville two weeks ago. UF’s second loss of the season came in a 13-3 midweek defeat at the hands of UCF.

Florida was picked to finish 5th in the SEC in the preseason. Head coach Kevin O’Sullivan’s 18th team in Gainesville has three Preseason All-Conference selections in second baseman Cade Kurland, catcher Luke Heyman and shortstop Colby Shelton.

However, Kurland is still dealing with an injury and hasn’t played since March 1.

Tennessee is 7-3 against Florida in the last 10 meetings counting Friday. In 2024, the two sides met in a three-game series in Gainesville. The Vols won two-of-three games, exacting revenge from the 2023 series in which Florida won in Knoxville.

The road team has won the series each of the past three years.

This is by far Tennessee’s toughest weekend to date. Expect more close games like Friday on Saturday on Sunday.

TRANSCRIPT: Everything Tony Vitello Said After Tennessee Baseball’s Series-Opening Win Over Florida

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-Opening Win Over Florida

THREAD: Tennessee Baseball vs. Florida Game One THREAD

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)

3B Manny Marin (R)

C Stone Lawless (R)

LF Jay Abernathy (L)

Lineup Notes:

• Same lineup as Friday, just swap Stone Lawless and Cannon Peebles at catcher.
  • Lawless has been getting one catcher start per weekend. Has also been the better bat as of late.
• Manny Marin continues to operate as Tennessee’s primary third baseman.
• Top seven of the order the seem to be set.

FLORIDA STARTING NINE: 

RF Justin Nadeau (L)

3B Bobby Boser (R)

SS Colby Shelton (L)

LF Blake Cyr (R)

2B Brendan Lawson (L)

DH Brody Donay (R)

1B Landon Stripling (L)

C Luke Heyman (R)

CF Hayden Yost (L)

Pitching Matchup:

Vols Jr. RHP Marcus Phillips (1-0, 1.42 ERA, 4 app., 4 starts, 19.0 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 6 BB, 25 K, 5 XBH, .145 opp. batting avg., 0.84 WHIP)

vs.

Gators Fr. RHP Aidan King (3-0, 0.55 ERA, 6 app., 1 start, 16.1 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 20 K, 1 XBH, .155 opp. batting avg., 0.67 WHIP)

Pitching notes:

• Phillips’ first SEC start of his career. Also the first tough competition Phillips has had to face so far this year.
• King, a true freshman, was a great bullpen arm before becoming part of the weekend rotation last weekend. His numbers are amazing but is definitely facing his toughest test to date Saturday.
  • King’s best outing given the competition came in a 3.1-inning relief outing vs. Miami in which he allowed one hit and no runs.

Uniforms

Tennessee: Orange shirts and white pants

Florida: Blue shirts and grey pants with blue caps

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*NOTES*

• Run-rule is MANDATORY in SEC games. If Tennessee or Florida leads by 10 or more runs in M7 or later, the game is over.
• Tennessee’s No. 2 ranking and Florida’s No. 7 rankings 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

-Justin Nadeau strikes out looking after an eight-pitch at-bat.

• 100 mph strike three.

-Bobby Boser strikes out swinging after a seven-pitch at-bat.

-Colby Shelton singles through the left side.

Shelton steals second.

-Blake Cyr singles to left field. Shelton out at home, 7-2.

• Absolute heck of a throw from Abernathy. Jay saves a run early.

END OF TOP HALF

B1

-Dean Curley grounds out to SS.

-Gavin Kilen singles to left field.

-Hunter Ensley strikes out swinging.

-Andrew Fischer flies out to CF.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 0, Gators 0

2nd Inning: 

T2

-Brendan Lawson strikes out looking on three pitches.

-Brody Donay strikes out swinging.

• Went around on a check swing for out number three.

-Landon Stripling flies out to deep left field.

• Another incredible play from Jay Abernathy. Ran all the way to the wall and crashed into it while making the catch.

END OF TOP HALF

B2

-Levi Clark doubles down the RF line.

-Reese Chapman bunts Clark over to third, out at first 1-3.

-Manny Marin drives an RBI single up the middle.

-Stone Lawless flies out to RF. Marin to second.

Marin advances to third on a muffed throw by 1B.

-Jay Abernathy strikes out looking.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 1, Gators 0

3rd Inning: 

T3

-Luke Heyman grounds out to 3B.

-Hayden Yost flies out to LF.

• Abernathy’s speed on display there as he had to run up to get it.

-Justin Nadeau singles up the middle after an eight-pitch at-bat.

• Nadeau has seen 16 pitches so far in two ABs. A great leadoff hitter.

-Bobby Boser grounds out to 3B.

• Marin’s throw took Fischer off the bag but he was able to apply the tag.

END OF TOP HALF

B3

-Dean Curley grounds out to SS.

-Gavin Kilen grounds out to CF.

-Hunter Ensley slaps a single to center.

-Andrew Fischer flies out to deep right field.

• Wind kept it in.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 1, Gators 0

4th Inning: 

T4

-Colby Shelton singles to right-center.

-Blake Cyr flies out to RF.

Shelton caught stealing second, 2-6.

• Great throw from Lawless and Curley was able to get the tag down.
• Florida challenged the call but it STOOD.

-Brendan Lawson strike out swinging.

END OF TOP HALF

B4

-Levi Clark strikes out swinging.

-Reese Chapman strikes out swinging.

-Manny Marin HBP.

Marin gets caught in a pickle between first and second and is tagged out. 3-6-3 putout.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 1, Gators 0

5th Inning: 

T5

-Brody Donay strikes out looking.

-Landon Stripling fouls out to 3B.

-Luke Heyman strikes out looking after a seven-pitch at-bat.

• 8 Ks for Phillips ties a career-high.

END OF TOP HALF

B5

-Stone Lawless works a walk.

-Jay Abernathy grounds out to P, sac bunt.

• Tennessee challenged the ruling and it STOOD.

-Dean Curley grounds out to SS.

Florida calls a mound meeting.

-Gavin Kilen strikes out swinging.

END OF BTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 1, Gators 0

6th Inning: 

T6

-Hayden Yost fouls out to 2B.

-Justin Nadeau works a walk after a nine-pitch at-bat.

-Bobby Boser lines out to LF.

Nadeau steals second.

-Colby Shelton grounds out to 2B.

• New career-long outing for Phillips.

END OF TOP HALF

B6

-Hunter Ensley grounds out to SS.

-Andrew Fischer pops up to SS in shallow left field.

No action in the bullpen. Looks like Phillips will go back out in the seventh.

-Levi Clark strikes out swinging.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 1, Gators 0

7th Inning: 

T7

Marcus Phillips back out to pitch. He’s at 92 pitches.

-Blake Cyr grounds out to C.

• Really nice play from Lawless. Bare-handed the ball and fired an accurate throw on time to Fischer at first.

-Brendan Lawson grounds out to 2B.

• Great play from Kilen. Slid to get to the ball then fired the throw to first.

-Brody Donay singles to P.

Donay caught stealing second, 2-6.

• What a day from Stone Lawless defensively.

END OF TOP HALF

B7

*Pitching change: Fr. RHP Jackson Barberi (1-0, 0.96 ERA) on to pitch for King*

-Reese Chapman drives a single through the right side.

-Manny Marin singles through the left side.

Chapman steals third.

-Stone Lawless strikes out looking.

Marin steals second.

-Jay Abernathy works a walk.

• Bases loaded with one out for Dean Curley.
• Worked his way back from down 0-2. Great at-bat.

-Dean Curley ropes a bases-clearing double down the LF line.

• 9-pitch at-bat. What a moment from Curley.

Curley advances to third on a wild pitch.

-Gavin Kilen is walked.

*Pitching change: So. RHP Matthew Jenkins (0-1, 7.45 ERA) on to pitch for Barberi*

-Hunter Ensley knocks an RBI single through the left side to score Curley.

Runners advance on a wild pitch.

*Pitching change: Fr. RHP Caden McDonald (1-0, 3.60 ERA) on to pitch for Jenkins*

-Andrew Fischer sends a two-run single to left-center.

*Dalton Bargo pinch-hitting for Levi Clark*

-Bargo smokes a double to right field. Fischer to third.

-Reese Chapman launches a three-run homer to right field to end the game.

• 5th HR of Chapman’s season.
• 363 feet, 97 mph.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 10, Gators 0

END OF GAME

FINAL: Tennessee Vols 10, Florida Gators 0 (7 inn. – Run-Rule)