SCORE: Tennessee 10, Ole Miss 8 | FINAL (Vols win series 2-1)

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No. 5 Tennessee baseball (30-5, 10-4 SEC) is set to battle the No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels (27-8, 9-5 SEC) Sunday in game three of a three-game series in Oxford.

First pitch at Swayze Field is at 3:00 p.m. ET on the SEC Network.

For a full preview of the series, click HERE.

Tennessee enters Sunday’s contest coming off an 8-5 series-evening loss to the Rebels Saturday. The Vols loaded the bases twice late but squandered opportunities. Marcus Phillips was also shaky for a second straight week, giving up four earned runs in 3.1 innings.

The loss sets the stage for a series rubber match, as the Vols won the series opener 3-2 behind an elite Liam Doyle start. The hard-throwing lefty allowed two runs on three hits in a career-long 8.1 innings pitched while tying his career high with 14 strikeouts. He was the best he’s been all season and Tennessee needed him to be, as Ole Miss reliever Mason Morris shut down UT’s offense.

Read recaps of games one and two below.

GAME ONE RECAP: Liam Doyle Dominates In Return To Ole Miss As Tennessee Baseball Takes Series Opener

GAME TWO RECAP: Situational Hitting Struggles As Tennessee Baseball Drops Game Two At Ole Miss

A win Sunday would give Tennessee four SEC series wins on the year. A loss would result in Tennessee’s second straight SEC series loss after having won 12 straight dating back to last season.

Tennessee suffered its first series loss of the season last weekend against Texas A&M. After securing a run-rule no-hit win over the Aggies in game one, Tennessee got swept in a Saturday doubleheader to drop the series.

It wasn’t pretty either, as A&M recorded 11 home runs across the two games and capped off the doubleheader with a 17-6 run-rule win in eight innings. It was by far the worst day for Tennessee’s pitching staff this season and the offense did minimal damage in 17 innings.

RETURN: Tennessee Baseball Stars Readying For Return To Ole Miss This Weekend

However, Tennessee has still had a great season to date. The Vols own series sweeps over South Carolina and Florida and also won two of three on the road against a Top-15 Alabama team. Looking at the season as a whole, last Saturday is a major outlier but certainly was the first true cause for concern so far this season.

Tuesday, Tennessee bounced back from the A&M series loss with a 10-2 win over Alabama State.

After the series loss, Tennessee dropped four spots in D1 Baseball’s Top 25 poll from No. 1 to No. 5. Read about where Tennessee is ranked in all five major polls below.

RANKINGS: How Far Tennessee Baseball Fell In Rankings Following First Series Loss Of The Season

Tennessee is the healthiest they’ve been in a while this weekend. Star junior infielder Gavin Kilen was not on the injury report heading into the series and is starting at DH for the third straight game. Kilen has run the bases this weekend but is doing so gingerly.

Additionally, RHP AJ Russell was not on the injury report, meaning he can pitch for the Vols if called upon. He has started each of the past two midweek games and pitched four total innings this season.

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

• OF Chris Newstrom is OUT for the third straight game with an illness.
• UNC transfer first baseman Alberto Osuna remains ineligible.
• Infielder Alex Perry, who was in competition to start at first base in fall ball, 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

Ole Miss’ great season has been a surprise thus far.

Picked to finish 15th in the SEC Preseason Poll, the Rebels are off to a 9-5 start in league play with series wins over Florida and Kentucky and a series sweep over Missouri on the road. The Rebels lone SEC series loss came to Arkansas on the first weekend of conference play.

Ole Miss also owns a 15-5, seven-inning run-rule win over Clemson in opening weekend.

Head coach Mike Bianco’s squad hasn’t had the toughest of schedules though, as Missouri, Florida and Kentucky have all been bottom-tier or mid-tier at best in the SEC so far. A series win over Tennessee would certainly be the highlight of Ole Miss’ season if the Rebels can pull it off.

The Rebels boast just one Preseason All-Conference selection in starting LHP Hunter Elliott, who started Friday’s game.

Prediction: Tennessee’s pitching depth leads the Vols to a series-clinching win on Sunday.

TRANSCRIPT: Everything Tony Vitello Said After Game Two Loss at Ole Miss

For all of RTI’s baseball coverage so far this season, click here.

For the latest RTI Diamond Pass, discussing the biggest takeaways from Tennessee’s series loss to Texas A&M, click HERE.

WATCH: Tony Vitello Reacts to Series-Evening Loss at Ole Miss

Lineups, pitching matchup and additional pre-game notes are below, followed by the LIVE at-bat by at-bat game thread.

TENNESSEE STARTING NINE: 

CF Hunter Ensley (R)

DH Gavin Kilen (L)

1B Andrew Fischer (L)

3B Dean Curley (R)

3B Dalton Bargo (L)

RF Reese Chapman (L)

C Cannon Peebles (S)

2B Jay Abernathy (L)

SS Ariel Antigua (R)

Lineup Notes:

• Dean Curley is out of the leadoff spot for the first time this season as he’s been struggling mightily at the plate.
  • Hunter Ensley takes over the leadoff spot and Curley moves to cleanup.
• Gavin Kilen stays in the lineup at DH, where he’s started all three games this weekend.
• Jay Abernathy starting in the infield for the first time this season, getting the nod over Manny Marin.
• Ariel Antigua is back in the lineup starting at short. Dean moves to third.
• Dalton Bargo back in left with Antigua in the lineup. No Levi Clark after he homered yesterday as the starting left fielder.
• Cannon Peebles behind the plate all three games this weekend, a rarity as Lawless usually starts one game in a series.

OLE MISS STARTING NINE: 

DH Hayden Federico (S)

3B Luke Hill (R)

CF Isaac Humphrey (L)

1B Will Furniss (L)

RF Ryan Moerman (R)

LF Mitchell Sanford (L)

2B Judd Utermark (R)

C Austin Fawley (R)

SS Luke Cheng (R)

Pitching Matchup:

Vols Fr. RHP Tegan Kuhns (2-1, 2.79 ERA, 8 app., 5 starts, 19.1 IP, 17 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 8 BB, 20 K, 4 XBH, .230 opp. batting avg., 1.29 WHIP)

vs.

Rebels Sr. RHP Mason Nichols (2-0, 4.83 ERA, 8 app., 8 starts, 31.2 IP, 32 H, 19 R, 17 ER, 8 BB, 39 K, 11 XBH, .256 opp. batting avg., 1.26 WHIP)

Pitching notes:

• Kuhns stays in the day three role. This was the first week he was officially listed as the projected Sunday starter in Tennessee’s official preview, rather than it being ‘TBD’.
  • Kuhns will aim to bounce back after he struggled with command in a forgettable 2.2-inning start last week against Texas A&M. He threw only 59 pitches and gave up four runs while walking three in his worst start & appearance to date.
  • Kuhns has a relatively full bullpen behind him today, including top relievers Nate Snead and Dylan Loy as well as Brayden Krenzel and others (potentially AJ Russell).
• Nichols has been a weekend arm for the Rebels all year and been okay.
  • He usually doesn’t go long into games (season-high IP is 5.0, season-high pitch count is 85)
  • Has given up four total runs across his last two starts against Kentucky and Florida in 7.0 total innings.
  • Worst outing came against Missouri three weeks ago (5 R in 5.0 IP)

Uniforms

Tennessee: Smokey Greys

Ole Miss: Light blue shirts and pants with red caps

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*NOTES*

• The run-rule is MANDATORY in SEC play. If Tennessee or Ole Miss leads by 10 or more runs after the seventh inning, the game is over.

---

GAME THREAD

1st Inning: 

T1

-Hunter Ensley flies out to CF.

-Gavin Kilen reaches on a fielding error by LF, advances to second on the error.

• As routine as routine gets on a fly ball. Left fielder just straight up dropped it.

-Andrew Fischer works a walk.

-Dean Curley is walked.

• Bases loaded with one out for Dalton Bargo.

-Dalton Bargo sends a sac fly to LF at the warning track.

-Reese Chapman flies out to LF.

END OF TOP HALF

B1

-Hayden Federico grounds out to P.

-Luke Hill reaches on a throwing error by 3B, advances to second on the error.

• Whenever Curley has time to throw, he’s been struggling. Sails it far right of Fischer. Wasn’t close.

-Isaac Humphrey strikes out swinging.

-Will Furniss strikes out looking.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 1, Rebels 0

2nd Inning: 

T2

-Cannon Peebles strikes out looking.

-Jay Abernathy slaps a single to left field.

-Ariel Antigua grounds out to P, sac bunt. Abernathy to second.

-Hunter Ensley flies out to CF.

• Great catch by Isaac Humphrey in center. Dove to catch it and rob Ensley of an RBI hit.

END OF TOP HALF

B2

-Ryan Moerman reaches on a fielding error by SS.

• Antigua didn’t cleanly field the hard-hit ball that was hit right to him.

-Mitchell Sanford flies out to LF.

-Judd Utermark pops up to SS.

Moerman steals second.

-Austin Fawley smokes a two-run homer to left-center.

• Just got over the wall.

-Luke Cheng flies out to LF.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 1, Rebels 2

3rd Inning: 

T3

-Gavin Kilen grounds out to 2B.

• Nice play by the second baseman. Dove to stop it from going into the outfield.

-Andrew Fischer launches a solo homer to left-center.

• 14th HR of the season for Fischer.

-Dean Curley fouls out to 1B.

-Dalton Bargo flies out to LF.

END OF TOP HALF

B3

-Hayden Federico strikes out swinging.

-Luke Hill grounds out to 3B.

• Laser from Curley. Really good throw.

-Isaac Humphrey singles through the right side.

Humphrey steals second, advances to third on a throwing error by C.

-Will Furniss sends an RBI single up the middle.

• Mistakes continue to cost Tennessee the past two days.

-Ryan Moerman singles to 3B. Furniss to second.

• Ball ate up Curley and he didn’t properly field it. Surprised it was ruled a hit.

*Pitching change: Fr. RHP Brayden Krenzel (2-0, 3.71 ERA) on to pitch for Kuhns*

• Kuhns was better than his final line will indicate. Gets pulled early as a result of really poor defense all game. He was better than he was a week ago.

-Mitchell Sanford singles through the left side. Furniss out at home, 7-2.

• Tremendous throw by Dalton Bargo. Right on line making for an easy tag from Peebles. Some good defense for a change!

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 2, Rebels 3

4th Inning: 

T4

-Reese Chapman flies out to CF.

-Cannon Peebles singles to right field.

• First hit of the weekend for Peebles.

-Jay Abernathy strikes out looking.

-Ariel Antigua flies out to RF.

END OF TOP HALF

B4

-Judd Utermark grounds out to 2B.

-Austin Fawley strikes out swinging.

-Luke Cheng strikes out swinging on three pitches, out at first C to 1B.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 2, Rebels 3

5th Inning: 

T5

*Pitching change: RHP Hudson Calhoun (2-0, 5.40 ERA) on to pitch for Nichols*

-Hunter Ensley works a leadoff walk.

-Gavin Kilen flies out to CF.

-Andrew Fischer flies out to CF.

Ensley steals second.

• Ole Miss had challenged the play, but the ruling stood.

Ensley advances to third on a wild pitch.

-Dean Curley is walked.

*Pitching change: LHP Walker Hooks (1-0, 2.25 ERA) on to pitch for Calhoun*

-Dalton Bargo grounds out to 2B.

• Strands runners on the corners. Missed opportunity.
• Hit right into the shift.

END OF TOP HALF

B5

-Hayden Federico flies out to LF.

-Luke Hill smacks a double to right-center.

-Isaac Humphrey strikes out swinging.

-Will Furniss intentionally walked.

-Ryan Moerman strikes out looking after a seven-pitch at-bat.

• Big K. Strands a pair of runners.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 2, Rebels 3

6th Inning: 

T6

-Reese Chapman singles up the middle.

-Cannon Peebles hammers a two-run homer to left field.

• Massive homer from Peebles gives Tennessee the lead.
• 5th HR for Peebles this season.
• While he’s been disappointing at the plate overall, he does have quite a few big homers under his belt this year.

-Jay Abernathy is walked.

Abernathy advances to second on a wild pitch.

-Ariel Antigua out at first 5-3 on a sac bunt. Abernathy to third.

-Hunter Ensley strikes out swinging.

-Gavin Kilen sends an RBI single to 2B. Abernathy scores.

• Second baseman dove to stop it from going into the outfield. A normal single in the gap to bring a run across.

-Andrew Fischer doubles to left-center. Kilen to third.

*Pitching change: RHP Taylor Rabe (0-1, 4.05 ERA) on to pitch for Hooks*

Kilen scores on a wild pitch. Fischer to third on the wild pitch.

-Dean Curley smacks an RBI single up the middle.

• First hit for Curley this weekend and it adds a big insurance run for Tennessee.

-Dalton Bargo HBP. Curley to second.

*Pitching change: LHP Gunnar Dennis (2-1, 3.94 ERA) on to pitch for Rabe*

-Reese Chapman is walked.

• Bases loaded with two outs for Cannon Peebles.

-Cannon Peebles lines out to SS.

END OF TOP HALF

B6

-Mitchell Sanford triples to center field.

• Ensley dove for it and missed it. Ball got past him allowing Sanford to reach third.

-Judd Utermark rips an RBI double down the LF line.

-Austin Fawley strikes out swinging.

*Pitching change: Fr. LHP Dylan Loy (4-0, 0.61 ERA) on to pitch for Krenzel*

-Luke Cheng HBP.

-Hayden Federico slaps an RBI single up the middle. Cheng to third.

-Luke Hill reaches on a 5-4 RBI fielder’s choice. Cheng scores.

-Isaac Humphrey flies out to RF.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 7, Rebels 6

7th Inning: 

T7

-Jay Abernathy flies out to LF.

-Ariel Antigua flies out to RF.

-Hunter Ensley grounds out to SS.

• Vols go down in order on just four pitches.

END OF TOP HALF

B7

*Manny Marin to 2B for Jay Abernathy*

-Will Furniss strikes out swinging.

-Ryan Moerman singles through the left side.

-Mitchell Sanford is walked.

*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Nate Snead (2-0, 3.18 ERA) on to pitch for Loy*

Runners advance on a wild pitch.

-Judd Utermark sends a sac fly to RF.

-Austin Fawley flies out to CF.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 7, Rebels 7

8th Inning: 

T8

-Gavin Kilen flies out to CF.

-Andrew Fischer strikes out swinging.

-Dean Curley strikes out looking.

• Heart of the lineup goes down in order.

END OF TOP HALF

B8

*Campbell Smithwick pinch-hitting for Luke Cheng*

-Campbell Smithwick strikes out swinging.

-Hayden Federico singles to 2B.

Federico caught stealing second, 2-4.

• Massive caught stealing by Cannon Peebles on Federico who has given Tennessee fits on the basepaths this weekend.

-Luke Hill is walked on four pitches.

Hill advances to second on a wild pitch.

-Isaac Humphrey reaches on a throwing error by Ariel Antigua. Hill to third.

• Play was reviewed to see if Fischer tagged the runner or not. Play stood after review. He’s safe.
• Another bad mistake from the Tennessee defense.

Hill scores on a wild pitch. Humphrey to second on a wild pitch.

-Will Furniss intentionally walked.

-Ryan Moerman strikes out swinging.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 7, Rebels 8

9th Inning: 

T9

*Brayden Randle to SS for Campbell Smithwick*

-Dalton Bargo is walked on four pitches.

*Pitching change: RHP Brayden Jones (1-1, 8.38 ERA) on to pitch for Dennis*

-Reese Chapman delivers a two-run homer to left-center.

• Biggest moment for Chapman arguably in his Tennessee career. Gives Tennessee the lead in a pivotal rubber match late.
• Chapman’s 10th HR of the season.
• Five Vols have now hit double-digit homers this year.

-Cannon Peebles singles to 2B.

-Manny Marin reaches on a 4-6 fielder’s choice. Peebles out at second.

-Ariel Antigua bunts Marin over to second, out at first 1-3.

-Hunter Ensley smacks a huge RBI single through the right side.

• Big. Game. Hunter.

*Pitching change: LHP Ryne Rodriguez (0-0, 3.60 ERA) on to pitch for Jones*

Ensley advances to second on a wild pitch.

-Gavin Kilen flies out to CF.

END OF TOP HALF

B9

-Mitchell Sanford fies out to CF at the warning track.

-Judd Utermark singles to SS.

• Tying run at the plate.

-Austin Fawley reaches on a fielder’s choice to 3B. Utermark safe at second.

-Brayden Randle reaches on a fielder’s choice to 2B. Utermark to third. Fawley out at second, 4-6.

-Hayden Federico grounds out to 2B.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 10, Rebels 8

END OF GAME

FINAL: Tennessee Vols 10, Ole Miss Rebels 8