#2/4 Vols Set for Border Battle Against Wildcats
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 2/4 Tennessee continues its week of games against opponents from the Bluegrass State as it hosts border rival Kentucky for a three-game set this weekend at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
The Volunteers and Wildcats will meet for the 78th consecutive season when the two teams square off in Friday’s series opener at 6:30 p.m.
IMPORTANT GAMEDAY INFO & REMINDERS
Lindsey Nelson Stadium is undergoing extensive renovations that will make it one of the best college baseball stadiums in the nation upon completion. Renovations will be ongoing throughout the season, so be sure to be on the lookout for updated information throughout the course of the year when it comes to seating, stadium entry, parking, etc.
Fans are encouraged to check the Tennessee Baseball Gameday Central page prior to each game for the most updated info in regards to parking, stadium policies, stadium entry points and more.
Pertinent updates regarding this weekend’s series can be seen HERE.
TICKET INFORMATION
Season and single-game tickets for all SEC home contests are SOLD OUT. Limited standing room only tickets will go on sale for all games 90 minutes prior to first pitch at the Lindsey Nelson Stadium ticket office.
Single-game tickets for all games can also be purchased through Ticketmaster, the exclusive resale marketplace for Tennessee Athletics, by clicking HERE.
In order to keep Lindsey Nelson Stadium as full as possible, we are encouraging season ticket holders who are unable to use their tickets for a game(s) to transfer your tickets to another Vols fan (Instructions HERE).
If you’re a season ticket holder and can’t make it to a baseball game this season, you also now have the option to donate your tickets. Your tickets will be donated back to Tennessee Athletics and will be distributed to the military and/or local charities in the Knoxville area. All ticket donations will be accepted until 5 PM the business day before a game. After donating your tickets a gift receipt equal to the ticket value will be emailed to you. You may save that receipt for your tax records.
ROADCAST INFO
Myan Patel (PxP) and VFL Cody Hawn (analyst) will call the action all series long on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app.
Fans can also listen to the official radio broadcast, featuring the Voice of Tennessee Baseball John Wilkerson, on the Vol Network (FM 99.1 / AM 990) as well as on UTSports.com, the Tennessee Athletics Mobile App and the Varsity App.
PROJECTED STARTING PITCHERS
Game 1 – Friday (6:30 pm):
UT: LHP Liam Doyle (9 GS, 6-1, 2.47 ERA)
UK: RHP Nate Harris (7 GS, 3-1, 3.94 ERA)
Game 2 – Saturday (6 pm):
UT: RHP Marcus Phillips (9 GS, 2-2, 3.30 ERA)
UK: RHP Nic McCay (9 GS, 3-0, 3.64 ERA)
Game 3 – Sunday (1 pm):
UT: RHP Tegan Kuhns (6 GS, 2-1, 2.86 ERA)
UK: LHP Ben Cleaver (9 GS, 3-2, 2.87 ERA)
SERIES HISTORY
Vols vs. Wildcats
Overall: Vols lead, 183-156
in Knoxville: Vols lead, 103-72
in Lexington: Wildcats lead, 82-76
at Neutral Sites: Vols lead, 4-2
Last 10 Meetings: Vols lead, 6-4
Last Meeting: W, 13-11 on April 21, 2024 (Lexington, Ky.)
The Tennessee-Kentucky rivalry on the diamond dates all the way back to 1909 when the Vols swept a three-game set in Knoxville. UT’s 339 games played and 183 victories against the Wildcats both are its second most against any opponent behind Vanderbilt. The border rivals have faced off at least once every year since 1947. UT has won five of its six series and is 13-6 overall against UK under head coach Tony Vitello.
NOTABLE
Doyle Does It Again
For the third time this season and second week in a row, Tennessee’s Liam Doyle was named the SEC Pitcher of the Week. Doyle set the tone for the Vols’ winning weekend in Oxford with another dominant performance on the mound in last Friday night’s series-opening 3-2 victory over No. 6 Ole Miss.
Pitching in a hostile road environment, Doyle was spectacular against his former team, tossing a career-high 8.1 innings while allowing just two runs on three hits to earn the win and improve to 6-1 on the year. The junior lefthander finished with an SEC career-best 14 strikeouts on the night, which also tied a career-high mark that he set earlier this season against Samford.
With Monday’s honor, Doyle became the first UT player to ever be named the SEC Pitcher of the Week three times in one season.
Chapman Caps Big Weekend with Clutch Homer
Reese Chapman came up big when the Vols needed it most during last weekend’s hard-fought series win at No. 6 Ole Miss. The junior right fielder led the team with a .556 batting average for the series, going 5-for-9 with three runs scored and a pair of walks. He saved his best for last, hitting the game-winning two-run homer in the top of the ninth of Sunday’s rubber game, lifting Tennessee to a 10-8 victory over the Rebels to secure the series.
Chapman followed up his big weekend in Oxford with two more hits and two more RBIs in Tuesday’s midweek win over Bellarmine and enters this weekend’s series on a five-game hit streak.
Kilen’s Return Provides Instant Spark
Junior infielder Gavin Kilen returned to action last weekend after missing the majority of the previous three weeks with a hamstring injury. In his return to the lineup, Kilen provided an instant impact with a team-leading six hits against Ole Miss, including his 11th home run of the year. The Wisconsin native also led the team with 10 total bases and had two RBIs in the series win in Oxford.
OPPONENT SCOUT
Kentucky Wildcats (20-14, 6-9 SEC)
- 2024 Record: 46-16 (22-8 SEC)
- 2024 Postseason: NCAA Men’s College World Series (1-2)
- 2025 SEC Preseason Poll: 10th
- Highest Ranking: RV (NCBWA)
- D1Baseball.com Ranking: N/A
- Head Coach: Nick Mingione
- Overall Record: 282-180 (9th year)
- Record at UK: Same
- Preseason All-Conference Selections (2):
- C Devin Burkes (1st Team)
- RP Robert Hogan (2nd Team)
-
ON DECK
The Vols host in-state foe Lipscomb next Tuesday at 6 p.m. before a highly-anticipated road series at LSU next weekend in Baton Rouge.
Leave a Reply