In a thrilling SEC showdown, Tennessee baseball faced off against Vanderbilt in a high-stakes series that saw the Vols aiming to secure their first back-to-back conference victories in over a month. After a nail-biting 3-2 win on Friday night, the No. 15 Vols were unable to maintain their momentum, falling to the No. 11 Commodores 10-6 in Game 2 of their three-game series on Saturday, May 10, 2025.
The weekend series at Lindsey Nelson Stadium has proven to be crucial for both teams as they vie for positioning in the SEC standings, each boasting a 15-11 conference record. With the loss, Tennessee's record now stands at 39-12, while Vanderbilt improves to 35-16.
The game started off with excitement as Tennessee's Hunter Ensley, who had a standout performance in the series opener, launched a two-run homer off the scoreboard in right field, giving the Vols an early lead. However, Vanderbilt quickly responded, tying the game in the third inning and taking control in the fourth with a two-run shot from Brodie Johnston.
As the game progressed, it became clear that Vanderbilt's offensive strategy was paying off. The Commodores put together a series of rallies, scoring crooked numbers in the fourth and sixth innings that ultimately led to their victory. Tennessee's pitching staff struggled, allowing nine earned runs and committing two errors, which proved costly in the tightly contested matchup.
Marcus Phillips started on the mound for Tennessee but lasted only 3.2 innings, surrendering five runs on five hits. Brandon Arvidson and Austin Breedlove followed, each allowing additional runs that contributed to Vanderbilt's offensive onslaught. AJ Russell, who had a solid outing, came in to pitch 3.2 innings without giving up an earned run, striking out five batters.
The pivotal sixth inning was a disaster for the Vols. After cutting the lead to 6-4 with back-to-back RBI singles from Dalton Bargo and Dean Curley, Tennessee's defense faltered. A throwing error by Breedlove allowed runners to advance, and AJ Russell, who entered in relief, faced a barrage of hits that led to four more runs crossing the plate, pushing the score to 10-4.
Despite the setback, Tennessee showed resilience in the seventh inning. Gavin Kilen and Andrew Fischer both hit solo home runs, narrowing the gap to 10-6. However, the Vols could not capitalize further, with the final innings seeing no additional threats.
Looking ahead, the third game of the series is set for Sunday, May 11, 2025, at 3 p.m. ET, and will be broadcast on ESPN2. Tennessee is expected to start freshman Tegan Kuhns, while Vanderbilt's pitching matchup remains to be confirmed. The Vols will need to regroup quickly to avoid losing their first home series against Vanderbilt since 2021.
After the series against Vanderbilt, Tennessee will host Belmont on May 13 for their home finale before concluding the regular season with a three-game series at Arkansas from May 15-17. With the SEC Tournament approaching, every game becomes increasingly significant as teams jockey for favorable positioning.
This series has been particularly important for Tennessee, who have struggled in recent weeks, dropping four of their last five series. A win against Vanderbilt could help solidify their standing as they look towards the postseason and potentially secure a spot in the NCAA Regionals.
As the Vols prepare for the rubber match, the team will need to address their pitching inconsistencies and defensive errors that have plagued them throughout the season. With a talented roster and a passionate fan base behind them, Tennessee aims to bounce back and prove their mettle against their in-state rivals.
