Alabama

Inside AJ Russell’s return to Tennessee baseball against North Alabama

Published

1 year ago

February 25, 2025

Press Room

Inside AJ Russell’s return to Tennessee baseball against North Alabama

Cannon Peebles wanted to clap for AJ Russell but he couldn’t.

The Tennessee baseball catcher did the best he could, pounding his right hand into his glove three times.

Russell stood 100 feet away on the right-field warning track, firing the ball toward Peebles as he was introduced at Lindsey Nelson Stadium as the Vols starting pitcher against North Alabama.

“I have been looking forward to this for a long time with sitting out a lot last year and watching the first few games of this year,” Russell said. “I just kind of went out there and had fun.”

Russell made his much-anticipated return Tuesday, eight months after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He was electric, striking out the three batters he faced looking in an inning of work in No. 1 Tennessee’s 7-5 win at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

AJ Russell struck out the side in his return for Tennessee vs North Alabama

Vols coach Tony Vitello made the offer Tuesday morning.

Would Russell, who starred at Franklin High located south of Nashville, rather pitch against North Alabama or face Tennessee’s hitters Wednesday? It wasn’t a real question to Russell. He wanted to throw in a game.

“I got the text in class and I was kind of fidgeting the rest of the day,” Russell said.

Russell was announced as the starter at 3:10 p.m. ET. At 3:58, he emerged from the Tennessee dugout to warm up. At 4:32, he threw a 94 mph fastball for a ball on his first pitch since May 26 in the SEC Tournament.

“I just let it rip,” Russell said.

Vitello told him he had five batters. He only faced three.

Russell touched 96 mph twice, including to strike out North Alabama leadoff hitter Jonathan Lane in an eight-pitch at-bat.

He sprinkled in 86 mph breaking balls, but leaned on his deceptive fastball that has him projected to be an early pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. He struck out Alex Wilson with a 95 mph fastball, then did the same for a four-pitch strikeout of Matthew Delgado.

The junior threw 11 of 17 pitches for strikes, looking like he did as a star reliever two years ago and as the expected ace last season.

“I was just glad he didn’t try to do too much,” Vitello said. “It almost looked like he was being more methodical than I have ever seen him.”

How AJ Russell returned eight months after Tommy John surgery

Vitello’s favorite moment from Russell’s return wasn’t a pitch. It was a hug between Russell and longtime Vols trainer Jeff Wood.

The pitcher and trainer have spent a lot of time together in the past year. Russell started strong as Tennessee’s Friday night starter last season. But soreness showed up early in the season. He sat out, then came back and sat out again. He came back one more time before he was shut down in May and destined for surgery in June.

“I learned how much this game means to me and how much I love pitching,” Russell said of the past year.

Russell worked extensively with pitching coach Frank Anderson and director of pitching performance Josh Reynolds during his rehab, which Vitello said he attacked like a “psycho.”

He got past the worry and fear the first time he threw the ball when it felt like it used to. He has thrown bullpens and to live hitters in recent weeks. Two weeks ago, Russell saw the ball start moving the way he wanted it to.

“He basically got the point where we couldn’t slow him down,” Vitello said.

The Vols will continue to work Russell back into the fold carefully. His next outing likely will be one inning as he works toward throwing multiple innings. Vitello knows Russell ultimately wants to start, which the Vols envisioned as a possibly at the midpoint of SEC play.

“His work and his character will lead him into forcing our hand a little quicker than we want,” Vitello said. “But we’re also going to be pretty dang patient.”

The Vols burst out of the dugout at the end of Russell’s inning Tuesday. He offered a shrug as he walked toward the gap to enter the dugout.

Russell was back.

Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @ByMikeWilson or Bluesky @bymikewilson.bsky.social. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.

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Alabama

Governor Ivey Approves Request for Alabama National Guard to Support America 250 Events in Nation’s Capital –

Published

2 hours ago

June 4, 2026

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Governor Ivey Approves Request for Alabama National Guard to Support America 250 Events in Nation’s Capital –

MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Thursday announced she approved a request for the Alabama National Guard (ALNG) to support operations surrounding the America 250 events in Washington, D.C.

“One month from today, our nation will mark 250 years of freedom. Without hesitation, the Alabama National Guard is proud to support Freedom 250 events,” said Governor Ivey. “We live in the greatest state in the greatest nation on Earth, and I thank these Alabama patriots for answering the call to serve their country.”

As the nation prepares to mark the 250^th anniversary of American independence, 150 Soldiers from the 123^rd Quartermaster Company in Arab, Alabama will assist with support operations connected to major public events in Washington, D.C. These Guardsmen will work alongside the D.C. National Guard and civil servants throughout the U.S. National Capital Region in coordination with the National Guard Bureau.

“From the founding of our country to the freedoms we are still blessed to defend today, America’s 250^th anniversary is a powerful reminder of the service and sacrifice that make greatness possible,” said ALNG Adjutant General Maj. Gen. David Pritchett. “The Alabama National Guard is a proud part of that history and tradition, and we are honored to support all the people of the United States as our nation marks this monumental milestone.”

Alabama’s Soldiers are expected to arrive in Washington, D.C. before July 4 activities and serve a 90-day rotation.

Since 1807, the ALNG has served the state and nation in a dual-role: Defending against American enemies in combat and supporting civil authorities during national-level events and emergency response missions across the state and nation.

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Alabama

Alabama Baseball Host St Johns For A Trip To The World Series

Published

12 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Press Room

Alabama Baseball Host St Johns For A Trip To The World Series

The Alabama Crimson Tide will host the St Johns Red Storm this weekend with a trip to Omaha for the College World Series on the line. The Tide swept through the Tuscaloosa Regional to advance while the Red Storm worked their way through the Tallahassee Regional as a four seed, beating host Florida State twice. The Super’s are a best 2-3 series and the teams will play Saturday at 8 p.m. CT, Sunday at 2 p.m. CT, and at to be determined time in the if necessary game on Monday. The Tide will host a Super Regional for the first time since 2006 and will playing to reach the College World Series for the first time since 1997. The Johnnies have a long baseball history, having been to six College World Series and have 28 Regional appearances. SJU last reached Omaha in 1980. Alabama has a record of 40-19 while St Johns is 36-24 after starting the season 1-10.

St Johns is on an eight game winning streak after sweeping through the Big East Tournament and the Tallahassee Regional. The Storm carries a team batting average of .282 with a .420 slugging percentage, a .380 on base percentage with 54 home runs, 102 doubles, have stolen 92 bases in 120 attempts, 272 walks, 69 hit batters, with 414 strikeouts. Defensively SJU has committed only 49 errors for a .978 fielding percentage.

Individual Offense Leaders:

*Jayder Raifstanger- third baseman-.336 average, 16 doubles, 5 triples, 49 RBI

*Jon LeGrande-centerfield-.329 average, 6 home runs, 45 RBI, 14 doubles, 27-40 stolen bases

*Shaun McMillian-first baseman-.318 average, 10 home runs, 43 RBI, 10 doubles

*Lewis Rodriguez-left fielder-.303 average, 16 stolen bases

*Adam Agresti-catcher-.290 average, 14 doubles, 19 home runs, 54 RBI, .621 slugging percentage, 9-9 stolen bases

On the mound the Red Storm has an ERA of 5.36 over 527 innings pitched and have allowed 546 hits and a batting average of .268 against. The staff has 433 strikeouts against 241 walks.

Individual Pitching Leaders:

*Liam O’Leary-RHP-16 starts 8-4, 3.25 ERA, 105 innings, 95 hits allowed, .240 average against, 28 walks, 74 strikeouts

*Evan Chaffee-LHP- Alabama transfer- 16 starts, 8-4, 4.85 ERA, 81.1 innings, 88 hits allowed, .276 average against, 32 walks, 83 strikeouts

*Ian Mowart-RHP- 15 games, 11 starts, 2-5 5.36 ERA, 50 innings, 56 hits, .283 average against, 21 walks, 34 strikeouts

*Jack Nestler- RHP- 19 games, 2-0, 2 saves, 3.06 ERA, 47 innings, 40 hits allowed, .227 average against, 20 walks, 35 strikeouts

*Evan Hoeckele-RHP-19 games, 2 starts, 4-0, 7 saves, 3.26 ERA, 38.2 innings, 33 hits allowed, .236 average against, 11 walks, 42 strikeouts

St Johns is on a roll, and can’t be taken lightly. However the Tide is a favorite in the series for a reason, and should be able to take care of business and earn that long awaited return to the Mecca of college baseball in Omaha. We will look at Alabama’s leaders on tomorrow.

Bama Baseball Fever, Catch It!

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Alabama

Is Tommy Tuberville an Alabama resident? GOP candidate challenges status

Published

22 hours ago

June 3, 2026

Press Room

Is Tommy Tuberville an Alabama resident? GOP candidate challenges status

The Alabama Republican Party will hold a hearing on June 14 on a challenge questioning whether U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville meets the state’s constitutional residency requirement to run for governor.

The challenge comes from former GOP primary candidate Ken McFeeters, who argues Tuberville has not been a resident of Alabama long enough under state law.

McFeeters said he was notified Monday that the Alabama GOP steering committee will take up his residency at an upcoming hearing.

He has filed multiple challenges and a lawsuit contesting Tuberville’s eligibility, all focused on whether the senator meets Alabama’s seven-year residency requirement for governor.

Alabama Constitutional Residency Requirement for Governor

Under the Alabama Constitution, candidates for governor must be at least 30 years old, U.S. citizens for at least 10 years and residents of the state for at least seven years immediately before the election.

The dispute centers on whether Tuberville has maintained continuous Alabama residency under that standard.

Tommy Tuberville’s Campaign response

Tuberville, a former Auburn University football coach who moved to Alabama in 1999, has said he meets all eligibility requirements.

His campaign has released redacted federal tax returns covering multiple years in response to McFeeters’ claims.

Campaign chair Jordan Doufexis said the evidence will show Tuberville has long met the state’s residency threshold.

“We will submit a comprehensive response… demonstrating that he is a resident citizen of Alabama,” Doufexis said, adding the campaign is confident in its legal position.

Questions about Florida ties and past records

Tuberville’s residency has faced scrutiny for years, including reports citing ties outside Alabama.

Those reports have referenced a Florida driver’s license that remained active until 2023 and voting activity in Florida in 2018. Tuberville has pointed to Alabama property records and a homestead exemption tied to his family as evidence of residency.

McFeeters has also cited travel and expense records he says show Tuberville frequently traveled outside Alabama during the period in question.

The Alabama GOP previously rejected McFeeters’ residency challenge in February, allowing Tuberville to remain on the ballot.

Tuberville went on to win the Republican primary on May 19 with about 85% of the vote, easily defeating McFeeters and other challengers.

What happens if Tuberville is found ineligible?

If the committee were to rule against Tuberville, McFeeters could potentially become the Republican nominee for governor in the November general election.

He would then face Democratic nominee Doug Jones.

Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter in Alabama for USA TODAY’s Deep South Connect Team. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@usatodayco.com.

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