SCORE: Tennessee 6, ETSU 7 | FINAL (10 innings)
***SCROLL DOWN FOR LIVE AT-BAT BY AT-BAT FEED***
Second-ranked Tennessee baseball (20-0) is set to host the ETSU Buccaneers (15-4) Tuesday in a midweek contest in Knoxville.
First pitch at Lindsey Nelson Stadium is at 5:00 p.m. ET on SEC Network +.
The Vols remained unbeaten with a series sweep of Florida last weekend in Knoxville.
Tennessee used an elite relief outing from Nate Snead, solid start from Liam Doyle and a handful of crucial hits to earn a 5-3 series-opening win. The Vols then run-ruled Florida 10-0 on Saturday behind an elite Marcus Phillips start before winning the series finale, 7-4.
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 and became the consensus No. 1 team in the country following the sweep.
Tennessee has been dominant in its 20-0 start. The Vols’ pitching staff has a 1.72 team ERA while the offense has recorded 53 home runs. Overall, Tennessee has outscored opponents 225-44 this season.
The Vols have scored 10 or more runs in 12 of 19 games. In all 12 of those games, Tennessee also won by 10 or more runs. UT has recorded nine run-rule wins, and it would be 11 had Xavier and St. Bonaventure agreed to it.
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.
Infielder Dean Curley also showed support for Osuna Saturday during the series-clinching win over Florida, displaying a “Free Berto” tank top after hitting a bases-clearing double in the seventh inning.
FREE BERTO: Dean Curley Shows Support for Alberto Osuna With Double Celebration
With Osuna still ineligible, Andrew Fischer figures to get the vast majority of reps at first base. With Fischer 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
ETSU is a really good program and has great power numbers. The Buccaneers are tied for fourth in the nation in home runs with 47. Third baseman Grant Gallagher has hit 11 home runs in 13 games.
ETSU will be a tougher midweek battle than usual for the Vols.
TRANSCRIPT: Everything Tony Vitello Said After Tennessee Baseball Swept Florida
For all of RTI’s preseason baseball coverage, click here.
For the latest RTI Diamond Pass podcast, discussing all the major takeaways from Tennessee’s series sweep Florida, click here.
VIDEO: Tony Vitello Recaps Series-Sweeping Win Over Florida
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:
1B Dean Curley (R)
2B Gavin Kilen (L)
CF Hunter Ensley (R)
3B Andrew Fischer (L)
DH Levi Clark (R)
RF Reese Chapman (L)
C Cannon Peebles (S)
LF Dalton Bargo (L)
SS Ariel Antigua (SS)
Lineup Notes:
- Curley starting at 1B for the first time this season.
- Peebles behind the plate in the midweek.
- Bargo in left field over Abernathy. Abernathy started all three games of the Florida series in left field.
- Antigua getting the start at short with Curley playing first.
- Fischer moves to third with Curley at first. He’s been starting at third most midweek games.
ETSU STARTING NINE:
CF Jamie Palmese (R)
RF Blake Jacklin (L)
SS Cody Miller (R)
2B Cooper Torres (R)
C JD Yakubinis (R)
3B Grant Gallagher (R)
LF Joey Little (R)
1B Tristan Curless (L)
DH Lenny Montesano (R)
Pitching Matchup:
Vols Jr. RHP Austin Breedlove (1-0, 1.17 ERA, 7 app., 0 starts, 7.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, .148 opp. batting avg.)
vs.
Buccaneers Jr. LHP Derek McCarley (0-0, 3.77 ERA, 6 app., 0 starts, 14.1 IP, 10 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 11 K, .200 opp. batting avg.)
Pitching notes:
- First career start for Breedlove at Tennessee. He’s been a really solid bullpen arm.
Uniforms
Tennessee: NEW Creams
ETSU: Dark blue shirts and caps with grey pants
*NOTES*
- There IS a run-rule tonight. If Tennessee or ETSU leads by 10 or more runs in M7 or later, the game is over.
GAME THREAD
1st Inning:
T1
-Jamie Palmese lines out to LF.
-Blake Jacklin grounds out to 2B.
-Cody Miller singles to center, advances to second and third on a fielding error by CF.
- Ran up to try and make a catch but the ball went under the glove. Miller advances all the way to third.
-Cooper Torres smacks an RBI single to left field.
-JD Yakubinis flies out to RF.
END OF TOP HALF
B1
-Dean Curley flies out to CF in left-center.
-Gavin Kilen singles to 2B.
-Hunter Ensley reaches on a fielder’s choice to SS. Kilen out at second, 6-4.
-Andrew Fischer HBP.
-Levi Clark works a walk.
- Bases loaded with two outs for Reese Chapman.
-Reese Chapman reaches on a fielding error by 2B. Ensley scores on the error. Fischer scores while ETSU tries to throw out Clark coming back to second.
-Cannon Peebles flies out to CF.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 2, Bucs 1
2nd Inning:
T2
*Pitching change: Fr. LHP Brayden Sharp (1-0, 1.69 ERA) on to pitch for Breedlove*
-Grant Gallagher pops up to 2B.
-Joey Little strikes out swinging, out at first C to 1B.
-Tristan Curless smokes a solo homer to right field.
-Lenny Montesano strikes out swinging.
END OF TOP HALF
B2
-Dalton Bargo strikes out swinging.
-Ariel Antigua lines out to 2B.
*Pitching change: Fr. RHP Tate Jones (0-1, 0.00 ERA) on to pitch for McCarley*
-Dean Curley grounds out to SS.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 2, Bucs 2
3rd Inning:
T3
*Pitching change: So. RHP Thomas Crabtree (1-0, 1.29 ERA) on to pitch for Sharp*
-Jamie Palmese is walked on four pitches.
-Blake Jacklin reaches on a fielder’s choice to P. Palmese out at second, 1-6.
-Cody Miller knocks a two-run homer to left field.
*Pitching change: So. RHP Austin Hunley (2-0, 3.86 ERA) on to pitch for Crabtree*
-Cooper Torres strikes out looking.
-JD Yakubinis lines out to 3B.
- Nice catch by Fischer.
END OF TOP HALF
B3
-Gavin Kilen grounds out to SS.
-Hunter Ensley singles up the middle.
-Andrew Fischer flies out to CF in right-center.
*Pitching change: So. RHP Brady Frederick (2-0, 0.56 ERA) on to pitch for Jones*
-Levi Clark flies out to RF.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 2, Bucs 4
4th Inning:
T4
-Grant Gallagher works a leadoff walk.
Andrew Behnke is warming up in the bullpen.
-Joey Little HBP.
*Pitching change: Jr. LHP Andrew Behnke (1-0, 0.00 ERA) on to pitch for Hunley*
- First appearance since the series finale vs. Hofstra. Has been dealing with soreness.
-Tristan Curless flies out to LF. Gallagher to third.
-Lenny Montesano grounds into a 6-4-3 double play.
- Just so smooth for Ariel. Off-balance throw to Kilen was so good it gave Kilen plenty of time to fire the throw to first in time.
END OF TOP HALF
B4
-Reese Chapman grounds out to 1B unassisted.
-Cannon Peebles ropes a double down the LF line.
-Dalton Bargo flies out to LF.
-Ariel Antigua strikes out swinging.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 2, Bucs 4
5th Inning:
T5
-Jamie Palmese grounds out to 3B.
-Blake Jacklin singles to P on a bunt.
Jacklin steals second.
-Cody Miller works a walk.
-Cooper Torres flies out to RF.
Runners advance on a wild pitch.
-JD Yakubinis grounds out to P.
END OF TOP HALF
B5
-Dean Curley strikes out swinging.
-Gavin Kilen rips a solo homer to left field.
- 393 feet, 104 mph.
- Kilen’s team-leading 10th HR of the season.
- Had 9 at Louisville in his two-year career (100 games). Already has 10 in 21 games.
-Hunter Ensley out at first 1B to P.
-Andrew Fischer HBP.
-Levi Clark strikes out swinging.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 3, Bucs 4
6th Inning:
T6
*Pitching change: Fr. LHP Bryson Thacker (career debut) on to pitch for Behnke*
-Grant Gallagher strikes out swinging.
-Joey Little strikes out looking.
-Tristan Curless works a walk.
*Pitching change: Fr. RHP Brayden Krenzel (0-0, 0.00 ERA) on to pitch for Thacker*
-Lenny Montesano grounds out to 3B.
- Montesano thought it was foul. Never ran. Looked like ETSU was going to challenge but there was no review.
END OF TOP HALF
B6
-Reese Chapman pops up to P after an eight-pitch at-bat.
-Cannon Peebles grounds out to 2B.
- Throw was high but the first baseman got back down on the bag in time. Tennessee challenged the call and it STOOD.
-Dalton Bargo strikes out swinging.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 3, Bucs 4
7th Inning:
T7
-Jamie Palmese singles to SS.
-Blake Jacklin grounds out to 2B.
- Really nice play by Kilen.
-Cody Miller legs out an infield single to SS.
- Antigua did a nice job to field the shallow chopper, Miller just beat it out.
-Cooper Torres grounds into a 4-6-3 double play.
- Another really smooth play by Ariel.
END OF TOP HALF
B7
*Jay Abernathy pinch-hitting for Ariel Antigua*
-Abernathy works a walk after a nine-pitch at-bat.
-Dean Curley pops up to 2B.
*Pitching change: Sr. RHP Andrew Bonne (1-0, 1.74 ERA) on to pitch for Frederick*
-Gavin Kilen works a walk.
-Hunter Ensley delivers an RBI double to left field to score Abernathy. Kilen to third.
Andrew Fischer roped an two-run double juuuust foul.
-Andrew Fischer strikes out looking.
- Didn’t like the strike three call.
-Levi Clark works a walk after a long at-bat.
- Bases loaded with two outs for Reese Chapman.
*Pitching change: Sr. RHP Landon Crumbley (2-0, 2.55 ERA) on to pitch for Ronne*
-Reese Chapman grounds out to 1B unassisted.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 4, Bucs 4
8th Inning:
T8
*Curley to SS*
*Manny Marin to 3B for Dalton Bargo*
*Fischer to 1B*
*Abernathy to LF*
-JD Yakubinis strikes out looking.
-Grant Gallagher flies out to CF.
-Joey Little strikes out swinging.
END OF TOP HALF
B8
-Cannon Peebles works a leadoff walk.
-Manny Marin reaches on a fielder’s choice to 3B. Peebles out at second, 5-4.
- Looked like the short throw may have taken the second baseman off the bag. Tennessee challenged the play, but the call STOOD.
-Jay Abernathy reaches on a fielder’s choice to 2B. Marin advances to second.
- Marin collided with the second baseman at the base. Looked like they were initially going to rule interference, but after discussion, no interference was ruled. Tony Vitello was not happy.
*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Colin Eaton (1-0, 3.12 ERA) on to pitch for Crumbley*
-Dean Curley works a walk.
- Bases loaded with one out for Gavin Kilen
-Gavin Kilen strikes out looking.
-Hunter Ensley comes through AGAIN with a two-run double to left field. Marin and Abernathy score.
-Andrew Fischer flies out to CF.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 6, Bucs 4
9th Inning:
T9
*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Ryan Combs (0-0, 2.84 ERA) on to pitch for Krenzel*
-Tristan Curless singles through the left side.
*Axel Melendez pinch-hitting for Montesano*
-Axel Melendez strikes out swinging.
-Jamie Palmese crushes a two-run homer off the scoreboard.
- Just like that it’s a tie game.
*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Tanner Franklin (1-0, 3.27 ERA) on to pitch for Combs*
-Blake Jacklin strikes out swinging.
-Cody Miller fouls out to P.
END OF TOP HALF
B9
*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Andrew Cotten (0-0, 0.00 ERA) on to pitch for Eaton*
-Levi Clark reaches on a throwing error by 2B.
*Chris Newstrom pinch-running for Clark*
-Reese Chapman flies out to CF.
-Cannon Peebles strikes out swinging.
Newstrom advances to second on a wild pitch.
-Manny Marin works a walk.
-Jay Abernathy lines out to RF.
- Really nice sliding catch by ETSU RF Blake Jacklin.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 6, Bucs 6
9th Inning:
T10
-Cooper Torres strikes out swinging on three pitches.
-JD Yakubinis strikes out swinging.
-Grant Gallagher launches a solo homer to left field.
-Joey Little flies out to RF.
END OF TOP HALF
B10
-Dean Curley flies out to CF.
-Gavin Kilen lines out to CF.
-Hunter Ensley singles up the middle.
-Andrew Fischer HBP.
-Chris Newstrom strikes out looking.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 6, Bucs 7
END OF GAME
FINAL: Tennessee Vols 6, ETSU Bucs 7
