SCORE: Tennessee 7, Tennessee Tech 1 | FINAL
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No. 1 Tennessee baseball (26-2, 8-1 SEC) is set to battle the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (19-10, 4-2 OVC) Tuesday in a midweek matchup.
First pitch at Lindsey Nelson Stadium is at 6:00 p.m. ET on SEC Network +.
Tennessee enters Tuesday’s matchup coming off a road series sweep of South Carolina. Hunter Ensley and Dalton Bargo raked at the plate, Andrew Fischer had a pair of homers, and Tennessee’s pitching staff was highlighted by great performances from true freshmen Tegan Kuhns and Brayden Krenzel in a 7-2 series-sweeping finale.
Read recaps of all three games below.
GAME ONE RECAP: Tennessee Baseball Uses Pair of Big Innings to Claim Series-Opening Win Over South Carolina
GAME TWO RECAP: Tennessee Baseball Wins Thriller to Clinch the Series at South Carolina
GAME THREE RECAP: Tennessee Baseball Coasts to Series-Sweeping Win Over South Carolina
Tennessee has been dominant 28 games in to the season. The Vols own two series sweeps in league play so far and five overall. UT’s only losses have come in a 7-6 extra-innings midweek thriller to ETSU and a 6-5 series-opening loss to Alabama
Following the South Carolina series sweep, Tennessee remained the No. 1 team in four of five polls. The NCBWA did not release a poll Monday. The Vols were third in the most previous one.
HIGHLIGHT: Ariel Antigua Makes ‘One of the Best’ Plays Tony Vitello Has Ever Seen
In the ETSU loss, star second baseman Gavin Kilen suffered a hamstring injury when an ETSU player slid into him. The star second baseman has not been in the starting lineup since and is once again not in the lineup Tuesday against the Golden Eagles.
However, Kilen did make his return to action Saturday, getting a pinch-hit at-bat in the eighth. He did not enter Sunday’s game against South Carolina at any point.
Manny Marin has been Tennessee’s primary second baseman with Kilen sidelined. Ariel Antigua has started at shortstop and Dean Curley has moved to third base in the last six games. That remains the case Tuesday.
The worst part of Tennessee’s season so far is first baseman Alberto Osuna having his injunction for another season of eligibility denied by a judge at the beginning of March.
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.
Injury/Availability Notes
- 2B Gavin Kilen is still out of the lineup with a hamstring injury. He made his return to action Saturday, getting a pinch-hit at-bat. He could do so again Sunday.
- UNC transfer first baseman Alberto Osuna remains ineligible.
- RHP AJ Russell is making his return to action Tuesday against Tennessee Tech, STARTING on the mound. He last pitched against North Alabama on February 25.
- He did not suffer a setback after that appearance. Tennessee just exercised caution ramping up his action. Expect him to be firmly in the fold for the remainder of the season.
- Russell could return next weekend against Texas A&M, and the Ole Miss series would be likely.
- 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
The Golden Eagles are a solid in-state opponent that have given Tennessee fits in the past, beating the Vols in 2022 and 2023. Tennessee got revenge last season with an 11-1 run-rule win.
Head coach Matt Bragga is entering his 19th year in Cookeville. The Golden Eagles had one ‘Preseason Player to Watch’ in outfielder Nicho Jordan, who is strong defensively and hitting .275 this season.
Tennessee Tech has played just one P4 school this year, getting run-ruled by Vanderbilt in a 16-3 midweek contest.
The Golden Eagles were picked to finish 3rd in the OVC in the Preseason Poll. They’re a strong OVC team but don’t seem to be a squad that could upset Tennessee this year.
TRANSCRIPT: Everything Tony Vitello Said After Tennessee Baseball Swept South Carolina
For all of RTI’s baseball coverage so far this season, click here.
VIDEO: Tony Vitello Recaps Series-Sweeping Win Over South Carolina
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:
2B Dean Curley (R)
DH Blake Grimmer (L)
CF Hunter Ensley (R)
1B Andrew Fischer (L)
3B Dalton Bargo (L)
RF Reese Chapman (L)
C Stone Lawless (R)
LF Jay Abernathy (L)
SS Ariel Antigua (R)
Lineup Notes:
- With Gavin Kilen still out of the lineup with a hamstring, Dean Curley starts at second base.
- Curley’s first start at 2B this season. He’s been primarily playing third with Kilen out. Manny Marin has been starting at second.
- Ariel Antigua stays at shortstop where he has started the last six games.
- Dalton Bargo gets the nod at 3B for the midweek. Jay Abernathy in left.
- Blake Grimmer gets a second straight midweek start. He was 2-5 with a homer last week vs. Queens.
- Stone Lawless behind the plate. He got one start at South Carolina and was pinch-hit for halfway through the game.
- Three lefties in a row in the order (4-6). A rarity for Tennessee.
TENNESSEE TECH STARTING NINE:
CF Nicho Jordan (L)
2B Preston Steele (R)
C Mack Whitcomb (R)
RF Jorsixt Jimenez (R)
DH Ryan Lee (R)
1B Riley Black (L)
3B Carter Vrabel (R)
- Mike Vrabel’s son
SS Owen Lee (L)
LF Jackson Green (R)
Pitching Matchup:
Vols Jr. RHP AJ Russell (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 app., 1 start, 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 0.00 opp. batting avg., 0.00 WHIP)
vs.
Golden Eagles RHP Drew Mattox (0-0, 9.82 ERA, 11 app., 2 starts, 2 SV, 18.1 IP, 27 H, 21 R, 20 ER, 8 BB, 12 K, 7 XBH, .346 opp. batting avg.)
Pitching notes:
- Russell makes his RETURN to action for the first time since February 25.
- He made his season debut against North Alabama in a midweek start and struck out the side in order. Afterward, Tennessee chose to exercise caution with him coming back from UCL surgery and not ramp up his action until April.
- Expect Russell to be firmly in the fold moving forward.
Uniforms
Tennessee: Pinstripes
Tennessee Tech: Grey and charcoal shirts with white pants and camo(?) caps
- Really bad uniform.
*NOTES*
- There IS a run-rule tonight. If Tennessee leads by 10 or more runs by M7 or later, the game is over.
GAME THREAD
1st Inning:
T1
-Nicho Jordan grounds out to 2B.
-Preston Steele strikes out looking.
-Mack Whitcomb singles through the left side.
-Jorsixt Jimenez strikes out looking on three pitches.
- Highest Russell went on the gun was 95 mph.
END OF TOP HALF
B1
-Dean Curley reaches on a throwing error by 3B, advances to second on the error.
-Blake Grimmer ropes a two-run homer to right-center.
- 390 feet, 107 mph.
- Grimmer’s 4th HR of the season.
-Hunter Ensley grounds out to 3B.
-Andrew Fischer flies out to CF.
-Dalton Bargo legs out an infield single to SS.
-Reese Chapman smacks a double to right-center. Bargo to third.
-Stone Lawless strikes out swinging on three pitches.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 2, Golden Eagles 0
2nd Inning:
T2
*Pitching change: Jr. LHP Michael Sharman (0-0, 5.14 ERA) on to pitch for Russell*
-Ryan Lee HBP.
-Riley Black grounds into a 1-6-3 double play.
-Carter Vrabel singles to SS.
- Ariel Antigua nearly made a great play.
Vrabel is picked off 1-3-4. Easily tagged out at second.
END OF TOP HALF
B2
*Pitching change: RHP Reece McDuffie (0-0, 2.62 ERA) on to pitch for Mattox*
-Jay Abernathy flies out to CF.
-Ariel Antigua is walked on four pitches.
Antigua advances to second on a passed ball.
-Dean Curley launches a two-run homer to left-center.
- 430 feet, 107 mph.
- Curley’s 8th HR of the season.
-Blake Grimmer flies out to CF in left-center.
-Hunter Ensley singles up the middle.
-Andrew Fischer flies out to CF.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 4, Golden Eagles 0
3rd Inning:
T3
*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Austin Breedlove (1-0, 0.93 ERA) on to pitch for Sharman*
-Owen Lee doubles to right-center.
-Jackson Green singles to left field. Lee to third.
-Nicho Jordan strikes out swinging.
Green steals second.
-Preston Steele HBP.
- Bases loaded with one out for Whitcomb.
-Mack Whitcomb strikes out swinging.
-Jorsixt Jimenez strikes out swinging.
- BIG back-to-back Ks for Breedlove to strand the bases loaded.
END OF TOP HALF
B3
*Pitching change: RHP Nick Vacarro (0-2, 27.00 ERA) on to pitch for McDuffie*
-Dalton Bargo singles up the middle.
-Reese Chapman flies out to LF in left-center.
Bargo advances to second on a wild pitch.
Bargo advances to third on a wild pitch.
-Stone Lawless works a walk.
Bargo scores on a wild pitch. Lawless advances to second on a wild pitch.
-Jay Abernathy flies out to LF.
-Ariel Antigua grounds out to 3B.
- Initially ruled that Antigua reached on an error and that Lawless scored. But the first baseman was able to tag Antigua, even though the throw took him off the bag.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 5, Golden Eagles 0
4th Inning:
T4
*Pitching change: So. LHP Dylan Loy (4-0, 0.00 ERA) on to pitch for Breedlove*
*Curley to 3B*
*Chris Newstrom to 2B for Dalton Bargo*
-Ryan Lee strikes out swinging.
-Riley Black strikes out swinging.
*Pitching change: RHP Austin Hunley (2-0, 3.24 ERA) on to pitch for Loy*
-Carter Vrabel flies out to LF.
END OF TOP HALF
B4
*Pitching change: RHP Logan Moller (0-1, 4.41 ERA) on to pitch for Vaccaro*
*Vrabel to 1B*
*Eddie Garza to 2B for Riley Black*
*Steele to 3B*
-Dean Curley grounds out to P.
-Blake Grimmer singles to right field.
-Hunter Ensley grounds into a 5-4-3 double play.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 5, Golden Eagles 0
5th Inning:
T5
*Pitching change: So. LHP Brandon Arvidson (2-0, 4.38 ERA) on to pitch for Hunley*
-Owen Lee strikes out swinging, out at first C to 1B.
*Pitching change: Jr. LHP Andrew Behnke (1-0, 7.36 ERA) on to pitch for Arvidson*
-Jackson Green doubles to left field.
-Nicho Jordan pops up to SS.
- Nice defensive play by Ariel going to get it.
-Preston Steele legs out an infield single to SS.
- Softly hit dribbler. Antigua was close to making an insane play.
-Mack Whitcomb slaps an RBI single to center.
-Jorsixt Jimenez grounds out to SS.
END OF TOP HALF
B5
*Pitching change: Fr. RHP Braxton Lewis (season debut) on to pitch for Moller*
-Andrew Fischer pops up to SS in shallow left field.
-Chris Newstrom singles to 3B.
- Ball hit deep into the infield. Third baseman’s throw was not close to making it on time.
Newstrom advances to second on a wild pitch.
-Reese Chapman strikes out swinging.
-Stone Lawless strikes out swinging.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 5, Golden Eagles 1
6th Inning:
T6
*Pitching change: So. RHP Thomas Crabtree (1-0, 3.24 ERA) on to pitch for Behnke*
-Ryan Lee flies out to RF.
-Eddie Garza grounds out to 3B.
- Nice pick from Fischer. He’s been really good defensively.
-Carter Vrabel flies out to CF.
END OF TOP HALF
B6
*Pitching change: So. RHP Lawson Stricklin (1-1, 8.74 ERA) on to pitch for Lewis*
-Jay Abernathy lines out to CF.
-Ariel Antigua flies out to CF.
-Dean Curley slaps a ground-rule double to right field.
-Blake Grimmer out at first 1B to P.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 5, Golden Eagles 1
7th Inning:
T7
*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Ryan Combs (0-0, 4.70 ERA) on to pitch for Crabtree*
-Owen Lee singles to right field, out at second 9-6.
- WHAT A THROW from Reese Chapman.
- Should’ve been a double, but the great throw prevents it. Absolute hose.
-Jackson Green flies out to LF.
-Nicho Jordan strikes out swinging.
END OF TOP HALF
B7
*Pitching change: Fr. RHP Carter Casabella (1-1, 6.38 ERA) on to pitch for Stricklin*
-Hunter Ensley grounds out to P.
*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Garrett Holpuch (0-1, 14.54 ERA) on to pitch for Casabella*
-Andrew Fischer doubles down the RF line.
-Chris Newstrom hammers a two-run homer to left field.
- 386 feet, 101 mph.
- Newstrom’s 2nd HR of the season.
-Reese Chapman fouls out to 3B.
-Stone Lawless grounds out to 1B unassisted.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 7, Golden Eagles 1
8th Inning:
T8
*Pitching change: R-Fr. LHP Brayden Sharp (1-0, 2.84 ERA) on to pitch for Combs*
*Newstrom to LF*
*Manny Marin to 2B for Abernathy*
-Preston Steele flies out to CF.
-Mack Whitcomb works a walk.
-Jorsixt Jimenez flies out to CF.
-Ryan Lee strikes out swinging, out at first C to 1B.
- Bat went flying on strike three. No one was hit.
END OF TOP HALF
B8
*Pitching change: Sr. RHP Lucas Vega (4-1, 5.21 ERA) on to pitch for Holpuch*
-Manny Marin pops up to SS in shallow left field.
-Ariel Antigua strikes out swinging.
*Levi Clark pinch-hitting for Dean Curley*
-Levi Clark flies out to CF.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 7, Golden Eagles 1
9th Inning:
T9
*Pitching change: Fr. LHP Bryson Thacker (0-0, 0.00 ERA) on to pitch for Sharp*
-Ethan Garza strikes out swinging.
*Kayne Jinks pinch-hitting for Carter Vrabel*
-Kayne Jinks strikes out looking.
-Owen Lee is walked on four pitches.
-Jackson Green strikes out swinging, reaches on a dropped third strike.
*Aaron Moffitt pinch-hitting for Nicho Jordan*
-Moffitt grounds out to 2B.
END OF TOP HALF
Score: Vols 7, Golden Eagles 1
END OF GAME
FINAL: Tennessee Vols 7, Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles 1
