Kentucky

No. 4 Tennessee Baseball vs. Kentucky Score, Updates Game Three | Rocky Top Insider

Published

1 year ago

April 20, 2025

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No. 4 Tennessee Baseball vs. Kentucky Score, Updates Game Three | Rocky Top Insider

Photo via Tennessee Athletics/Vol Photos

SCORE: Tennessee 2, Kentucky 4 | T8

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No. 4 Tennessee baseball (33-6, 12-5 SEC) is set to battle the Kentucky Wildcats (21-15, 7-10 SEC) on Easter Sunday in game three of a three-game series in Knoxville.

First pitch at Lindsey Nelson Stadium is at 1:00 p.m. ET on SEC Network +.

For a full preview of the series, including pitching matchups, storylines and a prediction, click here.

Game three serves as the rubber match in the series after Tennessee won game one, 8-2, and lost game two, 4-1. The Vols dominated the series opener, scoring eight unanswered runs after falling behind 2-0 in the top of the first.

Starting pitcher Liam Doyle bounced back beautifully after giving up a two-run homer in the opening frame, giving up just two more hits in six scoreless innings. In total, Doyle struck out nine in 7.0 innings and threw 101 pitches. Tanner Franklin finished the game dealing a pair of scoreless innings.

On Saturday, Kentucky starting pitcher Nic McCay shut down Tennessee, limiting the Vols to just two hits while he was on the mound. UT totaled just three hits and one run in the loss, the lowest amount of runs the Vols have scored in a game all season.

Read recaps of both games below.

GAME ONE RECAP: Tennessee Baseball Takes Series Opener Against Kentucky

GAME TWO RECAP: Tennessee Baseball’s Offense Falls Flat As Kentucky Evens Weekend Series

In Saturday’s game, a foul ball unfortunately hit Tennessee relief pitcher Tanner Wiggins in the mouth. Tony Vitello said there were teeth involved in Wiggins’ injury, as the sophomore received immediate medical attention after being hit.

RANKINGS: Where Tennessee Baseball Lands In Rankings After Series Win Over Ole Miss

The Ole Miss series win was a massive one for Tennessee, as it prevented back-to-back series losses for the Vols. Tennessee dropped its first series of the season and first since early March of 2024 two weeks ago against Texas A&M.

But the A&M series is an outlier on Tennessee’s otherwise dominant season so far. The Vols own road series wins over Top 15 teams Alabama and Ole Miss as well as series sweeps over Florida and South Carolina.

BLOSSOMING: Liam Doyle ‘Learning To Pitch’ And ‘Blossoming’ For Tennessee Baseball

Tennessee is fairly healthy this weekend. Star junior infielder Gavin Kilen returned to the starting lineup last weekend and remains in the lineup Sunday for the sixth straight SEC game. With Kilen still working his way back to 100% from a hamstring injury, he will remain the designated hitter for the time being.

Additionally, RHP AJ Russell finally made his 2025 SEC debut Saturday. He pitched 1.2 scoreless innings of relief. Expect Russell to become a more important piece of the bullpen as the season progresses.

While Russell and Kilen are full-go’s, talented freshman reliever Brayden Krenzel is out for the entirety of the Kentucky series with an illness.

Krenzel’s absence is a blow to the bullpen, specifically for Sunday’s game. Read more about Krenzel’s status HERE.

Injury/Availability Notes

Opponent Scout

Kentucky was an Omaha team last year but has come back down to Earth a bit in 2025.

The Wildcats are 7-10 so far in league play and own just one SEC series win (Texas A&M). However, Kentucky has played every opponent tough in its grueling schedule thus far and is just a handful of runs away from being a Top 10 team. The Cats have not gotten swept yet this season and that remained the case this weekend after they beat the Vols Saturday to force a rubber match.

Head coach Nick Mingione is in his ninth year in Lexington. His 2025 squad contains two Preseason All-Conference selections in catcher Devin Burkes and pitcher Robert Hogan, who tossed 2.2 innings on Friday.

Sunday will be a hard-fought game, but Tennessee has the pitching edge with Nate Snead having not thrown yet this weekend.

Prediction: Tennessee wins the series.

TRANSCRIPT: Everything Tennessee HC Tony Vitello Said After Kentucky Evened Weekend Series

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

For the latest RTI Diamond Pass podcast, featuring a discussion of where Tennessee baseball is at halfway through SEC play, click here.

VIDEO: Tony Vitello Recaps Series-Evening Loss to Kentucky

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

TENNESSEE STARTING NINE:

2B Dean Curley (R)

DH Gavin Kilen (L)

CF Hunter Ensley (R)

1B Andrew Fischer (L)

RF Reese Chapman (L)

C Cannon Peebles (S)

3B Dalton Bargo (L)

SS Manny Marin (R)

LF Chris Newstrom (R)

Lineup Notes:

Cannon Peebles back behind the plate after Stone Lawless got the catcher start Saturday
Manny Marin continues to start at shortstop. He’s 1-5 at the plate this weekend. If Tennessee gets a lead, expect Ariel Antigua to enter the game.
Dean Curley remains at second base for the fourth straight game. He has struggled defensively so far this season on the left side of the infield.
With Curley at second, Dalton Bargo starts at third.
Chris Newstrom gets the left field start, same as Friday. Abernathy started in left Saturday.
Order shifted around a bit with a lefty on the mound.

KENTUCKY STARTING NINE:

SS Tyler Bell (S)

1B Hudson Brown (L)

RF Kyuss Gargett (S)

DH Dylan Koontz (L)

3B Patrick Herrera (R)

CF Carson Hansen (L)

C Devin Burkes (R)

2B Luke Lawrence (L)

LF Ryan Schwartz (R)

Pitching Matchup:

Vols Fr. RHP Tegan Kuhns (2-1, 2.86 ERA, 9 app., 6 starts, 22.0 IP, 21 H, 10 R, 7 ER, 8 BB, 23 K, .239 opp. batting avg., 1.32 WHIP)

vs.

Wildcats So. LHP Ben Cleaver (3-2, 2.87 ERA, 9 app., 9 starts, 47.0 IP, 28 H, 18 ER, 15 ER, 16 BB, 56 K, .175 opp. batting avg., 0.94 WHIP)

Pitching notes:

Kuhns continues to start in a game three setting. Poor defense shortened his outing a week ago.
- With Krenzel unavailable, it will be interesting to see if Vitello lets Kuhns go deeper into today’s game.
- Snead is the top arm behind Kuhns. Everyone else outside AJ Russell is probably also available today out of the pen.

Uniforms

Tennessee: Sunday creams

Kentucky: Blue shirts with grey pants and grey caps

*NOTES*

The run-rule is MANDATORY in SEC play. If Tennessee or Kentucky leads by 10 or more runs after the 7th inning, the game is over.

1st Inning:

-Tyler Bell strikes out looking.

-Hudson Brown grounds out to 2B.

-Kyuss Gargett grounds out to SS.

END OF TOP HALF

-Dean Curley flies out to RF.

-Gavin Kilen flies out to CF in right-center.

Nice catch by center fielder Carson Hansen at the wall.

-Hunter Ensley singles to left field.

Ensley advances to second on a balk.

-Andrew Fischer lines out to CF.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 0, Wildcats 0

2nd Inning:

-Dylan Koontz pop up to 3B.

-Patrick Herrera grounds out to SS.

-Carson Hansen singles to right-center.

Hansen steals second.

Peebles throw was not close but Ensley got it quick enough to where Hansen didn’t attempt to go to third.

-Devin Burkes works a walk.

Frank Anderson calls a mound meeting.

-Luke Lawrence works a walk.

Bases loaded with two outs for nine-hole hitter Ryan Schwartz.

-Ryan Schwartz smacks an RBI single to left field.

Burke strangely held at third.

*Pitching change: So. LHP Brandon Arvidson (2-0, 4.32 ERA) on to pitch for Kuhns*

Burkes scores on a wild pitch. Lawrence and Schwartz advance to third and second on the wild pitch.

Pitch in the dirt was then hit to the wall by Peebles’ knee or foot, allowing Burkes to score. Wouldn’t have otherwise.

-Tyler Bell strikes out swinging.

END OF TOP HALF

-Reese Chapman strikes out swinging.

-Cannon Peebles grounds out to SS.

-Dalton Bargo strikes out looking.

Rough strike three call. Home plate ump Jeff Head squeezed Kuhns a bit then rings Bargo up on a pitch that was high there.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 0, Wildcats 2

3rd Inning:

-Hudson Brown flies out to RF.

-Kyuss Gargett flies out to LF.

-Dylan Koontz fouls out to SS.

Strong inning from Arvidson. 7-pitch inning.

END OF TOP HALF

-Manny Marin singles to left field.

-Chris Newstrom strikes out swinging on three pitches.

-Dean Curley grounds into a 6-4-3 double play.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 0, Wildcats 2

4th Inning:

-Patrick Herrera strikes out swinging on three pitches.

-Carson Hansen works a walk.

-Devin Burkes singles through the left side.

Double steal. Hansen scores on a fielding error by SS. Burkes advances to third on the error.

Peebles’ throw was a little off line but Marin should have been able to catch it and apply the tag. Was initially ruled as an error on Peebles but was later changed.
Marin was too focused on the tag and didn’t focus on completing the catch. Ball goes into the outfield as a result allowing a run to score.

-Luke Lawrence strikes out swinging.

*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Nate Snead (3-0, 2.90 ERA) on to pitch for Arvidson*

-Ryan Schwartz strikes out swinging.

END OF TOP HALF

-Gavin Kilen knocks a single through the left side.

Beat the shift with a softly hit single into shallow left field.

-Hunter Ensley flies out to RF.

-Andrew Fischer strikes out swinging.

-Reese Chapman fouls out to SS.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 0, Wildcats 3

5th Inning:

-Tyler Bell grounds out to 2B.

-Hudson Brown flies out to RF in right-center.

Nice running catch by Chapman.

-Kyuss Gargett flies out to CF.

END OF TOP HALF

-Cannon Peebles flies out to LF.

-Dalton Bargo grounds out to 2B.

-Manny Marin reaches on a throwing error by 3B.

Throw took 1B Hudson Brown off the bag, caught the ball but couldn’t lay the tag as Marin reaches.

-Chris Newstrom strikes out looking.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 0, Wildcats 3

6th Inning:

-Dylan Koontz grounds out to 2B.

-Patrick Herrera reaches on a muffed throw by 1B, assist by SS.

Low throw from Manny but Fischer has to make that catch. Usually does. Ugly mistake again by Tennessee.

-Carson Hansen flies out to CF.

Herrera steals second.

Herrera steals third.

-Devin Burkes grounds out to SS.

END OF TOP HALF

-Dean Curley works a leadoff walk.

-Gavin Kilen strikes out looking.

-Hunter Ensley rips a two-run homer to left field.

372 feet, 98 mph.
Ensley’s 7th HR of the season.
FINALLY some momentum for Tennessee.

-Andrew Fischer flies out to 3B in right-center.

Herrera was playing the 3.5 hole because of the shift.

-Reese Chapman strikes out swinging.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 2, Wildcats 3

7th Inning:

-Luke Lawrence singles to right field.

Lawrence caught stealing second, 2-4.

First time Tennessee has caught a runner stealing this weekend.

-Ryan Schwartz grounds out to 1B unassisted.

Great play by Fischer to get in front of a hard-hit ball down the 1B line. Made a diving stop.

-Tyler Bell strikes out looking.

END OF TOP HANGING

-Cannon Peebles grounds out to C.

Peebles was initially ruled safe, but the ruling was changed to OUT after review initiated by a Kentucky challenge.
Peebles barely made contact and Burkes’ throw was a bit wide to first, but it seems Hudson Brown was able to keep his toe on the bag.
Surprised the ruling was overturned given the initial ruling was safe.

-Dalton Bargo flies out to LF.

-Manny Marin pops up to SS.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 2, Wildcats 3

8th Inning:

*Ariel Antigua to SS for Manny Marin*

-Hudson Brown beats a ground-rule double to left-center.

*Griffin Cameron pinch-running for Hudson Brown*

-Kyuss Gargett singles to right field. Cameron to third.

-Dylan Koontz RBI groundout, out at first 4-6-3. Cameron scores. Gargett to second.

Tennessee tried to turn a 4-6-3 double play but Antigua was unable to get his foot on the bag before making the turn and throwing to first.

Score: Vols 2, Wildcats 4

9th Inning:

Score: Vols , Wildcats

FINAL: Tennessee Vols __, Kentucky Wildcats __

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Kentucky

Liberty Trees planted throughout Kentucky

Published

7 hours ago

May 11, 2026

Press Room

Liberty Trees planted throughout Kentucky

CAMPBELL COUNTY, Ky. (WXIX) – Liberty Trees are being planted across Kentucky in celebration og America 250.

FOX19 NOW’s Philip Krinsky went down to Campbell County, where a Liberty Tree dedication took place.

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Kentucky

2026 Kentucky Derby: The Sporting Event Expanded Its Partnerships

Published

19 hours ago

May 11, 2026

Press Room

2026 Kentucky Derby: The Sporting Event Expanded Its Partnerships

LOUISVILLE, KY.—Jockey Jose Ortiz rallied long shot Golden Tempo from way back in the pack to claim the 152nd Kentucky Derby on May 2, beating his older brother Irad Ortiz Jr. by a neck and making Cherie DeVaux the first woman to train a Derby winner.

Held at Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville, Ky., this year’s race averaged 19.6 million viewers on NBC and Peacock, making it the most-viewed Run for the Roses on record since Nielsen began tracking average audiences in 1988.

In the week leading up to the first Saturday in May, Churchill Downs hosted a full roster of events, including 502’sDay, Winsday, Thurby, and the Kentucky Oaks (when fans watch 3-year-old fillies compete), which, for the first time, was contested in primetime and on network television.

As part of the racetrack’s ongoing renovations, the sixth-floor space, 10,000-square-foot ultra-VIP space known as The Mansion opened its private doors, revealing a $30-million refurbishment. There were improved amenities in the Finish Line Suites this year as well.

But that wasn’t the only newness happening. This year introduced several firsts, including the Derby’s first-ever beauty partnership with L’Oréal, an MLB activation where fans were able to put their pitching skills to the test, and a limited-edition Graeter’s ice cream flavor, Bourbon Backstretch Cherry.

Returning partners also evolved their experiences for 2026, including Old Forester serving up a new signature cocktail with a fruity twist called the Perfecta and Red Bull expanding its lounge area in the Infield, which included a custom Ford F150 DJ booth with custom Red Bull cocktails.

This updated partnership strategy is part of the racetrack’s efforts to attract younger fans and the Gen Z demo. “Reaching new and younger audiences is how the brand stays relevant after 152 years,” said Casey Ramage, senior marketing and partnerships consultant for Churchill Downs Racetrack.

“Churchill Downs does this by offering onsite fans brand experiences such as beautiful photo moments around our iconic Twin Spires and partner collaborations and merchandise brands that are relevant to this audience such as vineyard vines, lululemon, and Aviator Nation,” she said.

For the fans at home, the Churchill Downs team also turned more to social media to educate the viewing audience. This year, the Derby’s social media accounts saw a 59% increase during Derby Week, Ramage added.

As for the L’Oréal partnership, Ramage said it just made sense. “With fashion being one of the first things you think about for the Kentucky Derby experience, Churchill Downs has always wanted to partner with a beauty brand, and L’Oréal Paris is the perfect fit,” she explained.

The brand was the presenting partner of the Derby’s Green Room, where celebrities and VIPs were able to touch up their makeup and hair before walking the red carpet. L’Oréal also produced activations in the Woodford Reserve Paddock Plaza fan zone with product giveaways and surprise-and-delight makeup moments in the ladies’ restrooms.

Keep scrolling to see more from the 2026 Kentucky Derby and the brand activations and parties surrounding the historic event…

^{L’Oréal produced activations in the Woodford Reserve Paddock Plaza fan zone with product giveaways as well as surprise-and-delight makeup moments in the ladies’ restrooms.}^{Photo: Courtesy of Churchill Downs Racetrack}

^{Because of Churchill Downs’ strong partnership with NBC, the racetrack also highlighted the network’s new relationships with both the MLB and WNBA. The MLB hosted an interactive pitch activation, where fans were challenged to test their fastball and track their throwing speed in real time.}^{Photo: Courtesy of Churchill Downs Racetrack}

^{Attendees posed inside a WNBA bespoke photo moment.}^{Photo: Courtesy of Churchill Downs Racetrack}

^{The WNBA logo was made out of red and white roses, as a nod to the Derby race.}^{Photo: Courtesy of Churchill Downs Racetrack}

^{Apparel brand vineyard vines marked its 16th year as the Official Derby Style with on-site activations, including a fully branded stage in the Infield, featuring live entertainment and giveaways such as its fan-favorite whale hats, sunglasses, and more.}^{Photo: Courtesy of vineyard vines}

^{Fully wrapped F-150s and Broncos in a vineyard vines print were located at the track’s “First Turn.”}^{Photo: Courtesy of vineyard vines}

^{Sports Illustrated Resorts’ Club SI hosted guests across both Oaks and Derby Day at Churchill Downs. The exclusive hospitality suite offers a view of the paddock and paddock runway. SI Swim model Camille Kostek hosted Oaks Day, while commentator Nate Burleson led Derby Day.}^{Photo: Courtesy of Authentic Live, a Division of Authentic Brands Group}

^{Guests received custom caricature illustrations in the hospitality suite.}^{Photo: Courtesy of Authentic Live, a Division of Authentic Brands Group}

^{Sports Illustrated, in partnership with}J Wagner Group^{, closed out Derby weekend with its third annual late-night celebration, Revel at the Races presented by DraftKings, which was headlined by Tiësto and held at}Ice House^.^{Photo: Courtesy of Authentic Live, a Division of Authentic Brands Group}

^{As the official apparel partner, Ted Baker presented a branded photo moment.}^{Photo: Courtesy of Authentic Live, a Division of Authentic Brands Group}

^{Verizon served as the exclusive wireless partner, offering expedited entry via a dedicated fast lane and ticket access through Verizon Access.}^{Photo: Courtesy of Authentic Live, a Division of Authentic Brands Group}

^{As the official bourbon partner, Maker’s Mark served up premium cocktails.}^{Photo: Courtesy of Authentic Live, a Division of Authentic Brands Group}

^{HydroJug provided on-site custom engraving, delivering a personalized takeaway for guests.}^{Photo: Courtesy of Authentic Live, a Division of Authentic Brands Group}

^{The Derby experience starts long before the bugle sounds at Churchill Downs, so Delta turned the journey to the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport into a spirited ride. On May 1 and 2, in partnership with Brown-Forman, Delta offered travelers in the Atlanta and JFK Delta Sky Clubs a bespoke Mint Julep syrup. Once onboard their flights, passengers could pair it with Woodford Reserve bourbon to craft a cocktail.}^{Photo: Courtesy of Delta}

^{The airline also surprised travelers with arrival and departure goody bags on April 30 and May 3 at the Louisville airport.}^{Photo: Courtesy of Delta}

^{Crew members donned fascinators to close out the weekend.}^{Photo: Courtesy of Delta}

^{Herradura returned with its official cocktail, the Horseshoe Margarita. The brand also collaborated with Q Mixers on a new track-wide cocktail featuring Herradura Reposado called the Paddock Paloma.}^{Photo: Courtesy of Herradura}

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Kentucky

2026 Kentucky Wildcats football position preview: Safety

Published

1 day ago

May 10, 2026

Press Room

2026 Kentucky Wildcats football position preview: Safety

As we continue to go position group by position group and project what each unit will look like for the 2026 Kentucky Wildcats, we will now look at the safety room. This position is led by two of the most experienced safeties in the conference with Ty Bryant and Florida transfer Jordan Castell. The safety position is heavily relied upon in defensive coordinator Jay Bateman’s scheme. Having experience is paramount for this group, as Coach Bateman will call creative looks for disguised coverages which will create plenty of safety rotations pre-snap and post-snap.

Starters

I think it is safe to assume that the new staff made it a priority to retain Ty Bryant and Willie Rodriguez more than any other returning players on the roster. Bryant was voted second team All-SEC by coaches last season and is one of the best safeties in the conference. He was the team’s leading tackler a year ago with 76 total and led the SEC with four interceptions. Bryant is a do-it-all safety that has a nose for the football and is expected to be the leader of the defense this fall.

Jordan Castell transferred over from the Florida Gators, where he started over 30 games in his career. Castell is a long, rangy safety that knows what it takes to play at an SEC level. He started as a true freshman at Florida and earned freshman All-SEC honors in 2023. Over his three seasons with the Gators, Castell has totaled 169 tackles, 13 pass breakups and three interceptions.

If things go as planned, these two will rarely come off the field this season. Bryant has natural playmaking ability on the back end as a ball hawking safety and is coming off the best season of his career. Castell has ideal length for the position and has shown the ability to make big time plays in this conference. Bryant and Castell form one of the best safety tandems in the SEC and will be a key to the defensive success in 2026.

Backups

Dyllon Williams
Jesse Anderson

Dyllon Williams is a 6’2, 191-pound redshirt freshman that got his feet wet last season in limited snaps. Williams only saw action against Eastern Michigan, Florida and Vanderbilt a year ago. Ideally, I don’t expect him to see much of an increase in playing time this season but it will be interesting to see how he progresses when he does get on the field. Coach Bateman does like to throw three safety looks at opposing offenses, but that will likely be manned by the slot corner position group.

Jesse Anderson is a transfer from Pitt that brings some experience to the depth of this room. In three seasons at Pitt, he has received snaps in 23 games as a rotational safety. I wouldn’t expect his role to change, he will be a rotational guy in this group as well and brings much needed experience in a backup role. Anderson is on the smaller side at 6’0, 186-pounds.

Like I previously mentioned, Coach Bateman likes to keep offenses off balance with three safety looks in coverage. However, I expect the slot corners to be heavily involved in those formations, which will be Aaron Gates and Jaden Smith. We will group the slot corners in with the cornerbacks when we preview that position group. Overall, this safety room is a strength of the team although it is hinged on the experienced duo of Bryant and Castell.

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