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No. 17 Tennessee Baseball @ No. 8 Arkansas Score, Updates Game Two | Rocky Top Insider

Published

10 months ago

May 16, 2025

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No. 17 Tennessee Baseball @ No. 8 Arkansas Score, Updates Game Two | Rocky Top Insider

SCORE: Tennessee 4, Arkansas 8 | T7

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No. 17 Tennessee baseball (41-12, 16-11 SEC) is set to battle No. 8 Arkansas (41-12, 18-10 SEC) Friday in game two of a three-game series in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

First pitch in Baum Walker Stadium will be at 7:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network +.

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

Tennessee enters Friday’s contest coming off a 10-7 series-opening win on Thursday. Marcus Phillips turned in a solid start and Tennessee’s offense exploded for 10 runs.

Read the full recap of game one HERE.

Tennessee enters the final series of the regular season struggling in SEC play. The Vols have lost four straight series and five of their past six, with four of those coming at home.

The offense hasn’t lived up to its potential while the bullpen has been shaky and the defense bad.

With the recent struggles, Tennessee likely needs to win the series this weekend to host an NCAA Regional. If Tennessee just wins one game, the Vols will need a really strong run in the SEC Tournament to improve their hosting chances.

But with Tennessee surprisingly taking game one, the Vols are well-positioned to win the series as they are the better team on paper Friday night with ace Liam Doyle on the mound.

BRACKETOLOGY: Bracketology: Tennessee Baseball Projected To Go On The Road In NCAA Tournament

The Vanderbilt series loss saw Tennessee drop even further in the latest D1 Baseball Top 25 poll to No. 17.

See where Tennessee landed in all major polls below.

RANKINGS: Where Tennessee Baseball Ranks Following Series Loss Against Vanderbilt

Opponent Scout

Arkansas got off to a strong start to the season losing just one game before the start of SEC play. Conference play has been topsy turvy for the Razorbacks with them losing four of their last five series after winning their first four series of the season.

When Arkansas has won series, they have almost always swept. The Razorbacks have series sweeps against South Carolina, Vanderbilt, Missouri and most impressively Texas two weeks ago in Fayetteville.

Arkansas’ offense has some serious pop, ranking seventh nationally and third in the SEC in slugging percentage. The Aloy brothers have led the way for Arkansas’ offense. Wehiwa Aloy is an SEC Player of the Year candidate and enters the weekend hitting .364 with 17 home runs, 16 doubles and 54 RBIs. Kuhio Aloy is hitting .356 with 13 home runs, 14 doubles and 66 RBIs.

Five Arkansas players have double digit home runs this season with seven players hitting eight-plus home runs. Charles Davalan is hitting .349 with 13 home runs while Cam Kozeal is hitting .340 with 12 home runs.

Arkansas’ pitching staff ranks fifth in the SEC with a 3.96 team-ERA. Dylan Carter (2.23 ERA in 32.1 IP) and Aiden Jimenez (2.51 ERA in 32.1 IP) have been the top arms in Arkansas’ bullpen.

The Vols will be looking to end their recent struggles against the Razorbacks this week. UT’s last series win against Arkansas came in 2005 while its last series win in Fayetteville was back in 2001, per UT. Tony Vitello is currently 2-9 against Dave Van Horn.

Injury/Availability Notes

In game two against Kentucky, a foul ball unfortunately hit Tennessee relief pitcher Tanner Wiggins in the mouth. Tony Vitello said there were teeth involved in Wiggins’ injury, and the sophomore underwent surgery afterward on his jaw.
- Read more about Wiggins’ status HERE.
UNC transfer first baseman Alberto Osuna remains ineligible.
- But two Mondays ago, Osuna again took legal action still seeking eligibility. Read more HERE.

TRANSCRIPT: What Tennessee HC Tony Vitello Said Following Series Opening Win At Arkansas

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

For the latest RTI Diamond Pass podcast recapping the Vanderbilt series and looking at why Tennessee must finish strong to close the regular season, click HERE.

VIDEO: Tony Vitello Reacts to Series-Opening Win Over Arkansas

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

TENNESSEE STARTING NINE:

SS Gavin Kilen (L)

1B Andrew Fischer (L)

CF Hunter Ensley (R)

LF Dalton Bargo (L)

2B Dean Curley (R)

RF Reese Chapman (L)

C Cannon Peebles (S)

DH Levi Clark (R)

3B Manny Marin (R)

Lineup Notes:

Levi Clark over Blake Grimmer at the DH spot. The only change in the lineup from Thursday.
Marin still at third, Peebles behind the dish, Bargo in left.

ARKANSAS STARTING NINE:

LF Charles Davalan (L)

SS Wehiwa Aloy (R)

RF Logan Maxwell (L)

DH Kuhio Aloy (R)

C Ryder Helfrick (R)

2B Cam Kozeal (L)

3B Brent Iredale (R)

1B Reese Robinett (L)

CF Justin Thomas Jr. (R)

Pitching Matchup:

Vols Jr. LHP Liam Doyle (9-2, 2.17 ERA, 14 app., 13 starts, 74.2 IP, 37 H, 19 R, 18 ER, 23 BB, 127 K, 12 XBH, .145 opp. batting avg., 0.80 WHIP)

vs.

Razorbacks R-So. Aiden Jimenez (4-1, 2.51 ERA, 17 app., 0 starts, 1 SV, 32.1 IP, 27 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 7 BB, 34 K, 5 XBH, .229 opp. batting avg., 1.06 WHIP)

Pitching notes:

Doyle stays in his Friday night role but not game one role. Tennessee wanted to keep Doyle on his regular routine after throwing 100 pitches last week. Also gives Doyle’s blister more time to improve before tonight.
- The blister has flared up after 70-80 pitches occasionally for Doyle. Some times worse than others. Just something the Vols ace is likely going to have to deal with moving forward.
First start of the season for Jimenez as Arkansas shakes up its rotation. He’s been a bullpen arm that hasn’t done extended relief much. Most pitches he’s thrown is 57. Hasn’t gone more than 3.1 innings since March 22.
- Expect Jimenez to be more of an opener and throw 3ish innings. Would be surprised if he gets into 5-inning/80-pitch territory.

Uniforms

Tennessee: Dark Mode

Arkansas: White Pinstripes

*NOTES*

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

1st Inning:

-Gavin Kilen flies out to CF.

-Andrew Fischer grounds out to P.

-Hunter Ensley singles to SS.

-Dalton Bargo grounds out to 2B.

END OF TOP HALF

-Charles Davalan singles to 2B.

-Wehiwa Aloy strikes out swinging.

-Logan Maxwell singles to left-center. Davalan to third.

-Kuhio Aloy strikes out swinging on three pitches.

-Ryder Helfrick strikes out swinging on three pitches.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 0, Razorbacks 0

2nd Inning:

-Dean Curley doubles to right-center.

-Reese Chapman lines out to 2B.

-Levi Clark grounds out to 2B. Curley to third.

-Cannon Peebles slaps an RBI single to left field. Curley scores.

-Manny Marin singles to left field. Peebles to second.

-Gavin Kilen fouls out to 3B.

END OF TOP HALF

-Cam Kozeal singles to center field.

-Brent Iredale drives a two-run homer to left-center.

-Reese Robinett strikes out swinging.

-Justin Thomas Jr. singles to 2B.

-Charles Davalan rips a double to right-center. Thomas Jr. to third.

-Wehiwa Aloy sends an RBI groundout to 2B. Thomas Jr. scores. Davalan to third.

-Logan Maxwell strikes out looking on three pitches.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 1, Razorbacks 3

3rd Inning:

-Andrew Fischer doubles to right-center.

-Hunter Ensley flies out to LF.

-Dalton Bargo smacks an RBI double to left field.

-Dean Curley singles to SS. Bargo to third.

*Pitching change: LHP Cole Gibler (1-1, 4.50 ERA) on to pitch for Jimenez*

-Reese Chapman strikes out swinging on three pitches.

-Levi Clark works a walk.

Really good AB from Clark.
Bases loaded with two outs for Cannon Peebles.

-Cannon Peebles knocks a two-run single to center. Curley and Bargo score. Clark to second.

-Manny Marin reaches on a fielder’s choice to 3B. Peebles out at second, 5-4.

END OF TOP HALF

-Kuhio Aloy HBP.

-Ryder Helfrick mashes a two-run homer to left-center.

-Cam Kozeal grounds out to 1B unassisted.

-Brent Iredale singles to left field.

-Reese Robinett strikes out looking.

Iredale steals second.

-Justin Thomas Jr. works a walk.

-Charles Davalan strikes out looking.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 4, Razorbacks 5

4th Inning:

-Gavin Kilen strikes out swinging.

-Andrew Fischer fouls out to 3B.

Great play by the third baseman who made a sliding catch at the wall in foul territory.
Jammed his head and shoulder area into the wall. He is staying in the game.

-Hunter Ensley grounds out to 3B.

END OF TOP HALF

-Wehiwa Aloy strikes out swinging.

-Logan Maxwell hammers a solo homer to right field.

-Kuhio Aloy grounds out to 3B.

-Ryder Helfrick pops up to 2B.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 4, Razorbacks 6

5th Inning:

-Dalton Bargo grounds out to 2B.

-Dean Curley grounds out to SS.

-Reese Chapman singles to 2B.

-Levi Clark reaches on a 6-4 fielder’s choice. Chapman out at second.

END OF TOP HALF

-Cam Kozeal strikes out swinging.

-Brent Iredale is walked.

-Reese Robinett strikes out swinging.

-Justin Thomas Jr. singles to SS, advances to third on a throwing error by SS. Iredale advances to second on the error and scores on the error.

Kilen’s feet got stuck in the grass it seemed. Errant throw to Dean goes into the outfield allowing Iredale to score and Thomas Jr. to reach third.

-Charles Davalan knocks an RBI single to right field. Thomas Jr. scores.

*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Austin Breedlove (3-0, 3.32 ERA) on to pitch for Doyle*

Davalan caught stealing at second, 2-4.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 4, Razorbacks 8

6th Inning:

-Cannon Peebles grounds out to SS.

-Manny Marin strikes out swinging.

-Gavin Kilen singles to right-center.

*Pitching change: LHP Parker Coli (2-0, 0.57 ERA) on to pitch for Gibler*

-Andrew Fischer doubles to right field. Kilen to third.

-Hunter Ensley lines out to RF.

END OF TOP HALF

-Wehiwa Aloy lines out to LF.

-Logan Maxwell strikes out swinging.

-Kuhio Aloy is walked on four pitches.

-Ryder Helfrick strikes out looking.

Breedlove fired up after that one.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 4, Razorbacks 8

7th Inning:

-Dalton Bargo strikes out swinging.

-Dean Curley strikes out swinging.

-Reese Chapman doubles to right-center.

Score: Vols 4, Razorbacks 8

8th Inning:

Score: Vols , Razorbacks

9th Inning:

Score: Vols , Razorbacks

FINAL: Tennessee Vols __, Arkansas Razorbacks __

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What channel is Vanderbilt baseball vs Tennessee on today? Time, TV schedule to watch game

Published

3 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

What channel is Vanderbilt baseball vs Tennessee on today? Time, TV schedule to watch game

Vanderbilt baseball is back home in SEC play against Tennessee, beginning on March 27 at Hawkins Field.

The Commodores (14-12, 2-4 SEC) were swept at Mississippi State last weekend to fall below .500 early in league play.

Tennessee (18-7, 3-3) lost the Friday opener to Missouri last weekend, then rebounded with two wins to take the series.

Here’s how you can watch Vanderbilt baseball vs Tennessee:

Vanderbilt baseball vs Tennessee on March 27 will be televised on SEC Network.

Game 1 start time: 7 p.m on March 27, ESPNU
Game 2 start time: 1 p.m. on March 28, SEC Network
Game 3 start time: 11 a.m on March 29, ESPN2

Feb. 13: vs. TCU in Arlington, Texas, L 5-4
Feb. 14: vs. Texas Tech in Arlington, Texas, W 13-3 (8 innings)
Feb. 15: vs. Oklahoma State in Arlington, Texas, L 11-1 (8 innings)
Feb. 17: Eastern Michigan, W 13-2 (7 innings)
Feb. 18: Eastern Michigan, W 16-2 (8 innings)
Feb. 20: Marist, W 16-5 (8 innings)
Feb. 21: Marist, W 12-1 (7 innings)
Feb. 22: Marist, W 8-1
Feb. 24: Evansville, W 15-3 (7 innings)
Feb. 27: vs. UC Irvine in Las Vegas, L 9-4
Feb. 28: vs. Arizona State in Las Vegas, L 5-1
March 1: vs. Oregon in Las Vegas, L 6-4
March 3: Central Arkansas, L 5-4
March 4: Troy, W 4-1
March 6: North Dakota State, W 14-2 (7 innings)
March 7: North Dakota State, W 10-0 (8 innings)
March 8: North Dakota State, L 5-2
March 10: Indiana State, W 14-6
March 13: LSU, W 13-12
March 14: LSU, W 11-3
March 15: LSU, L 16-9
March 17: Indiana, L 5-1
March 20: at Mississippi State, L 4-2
March 21: at Mississippi State, L 7-2
March 22: at Mississippi State, L 17-7 (7)
March 24: Tennessee Tech, W 15-5 (8)
March 27: Tennessee, 7 p.m on ESPNU
March 28: Tennessee, 1 p.m on SEC Network
March 29: Tennessee, 11 a.m on ESPN2
March 31: Belmont
April 2-4: at Texas A&M
April 7: EKU
April 9-11: Oklahoma
April 14: Lipscomb
April 17-19: Kentucky
April 21: Xavier
April 24-26: Texas
April 28: MTSU
April 30-May 2: at Alabama
May 5: Louisville
May 8-10: at Missouri
May 14-16: South Carolina

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Tennessee basketball legend Chris Lofton enjoying unexpected Vol Network role | Estes

Published

15 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

Tennessee basketball legend Chris Lofton enjoying unexpected Vol Network role | Estes

CHICAGO – As Tennessee basketball’s newest Sweet 16 team was on the court at the United Center, prepping for Iowa State, the best pure shooter in the building sat on the side in a hoodie.

Chris Lofton, as always, was looking for his shot.

“I’m ready to shoot now, you know?” he said with a laugh. “When they start stretching, I’ll get a shot up or two for sure. I tell Mike (Keith) all the time, ‘If we go to the gym and there’s a basketball, I have to shoot it.’ That’s just a rule. I’ve got to shoot at least once.”

Though his last professional basketball game was in 2019, Lofton still gets on the court occasionally, and when he does, he can still shoot it.

Tennessee star freshman Nate Ament can confirm. He’s seen it.

“Really good,” Ament said of Lofton. “Even now.”

He’s a radio guy now, though.

Lofton is finishing a season back in Knoxville as part of the newly built Vol Network crew for men’s basketball games. He has been working with new play-by-play man Mike Keith, the former voice of the Tennessee Titans, among those tasked with replacing longtime Vols duo of Bob Kesling and Bert Bertelkamp.

“Mike has been great,” Lofton said, “teaching me a lot. I’m learning so much. It’s been fun just to be back around Tennessee basketball as much as I’ve been this year. I’m VFL. I bleed orange. It doesn’t get any better than this.”

In a game of horse, I’d still take Lofton against anyone. Vols fans old enough to remember watching him play for Tennessee (2004-08), I’d imagine many of y’all would, too.

This guy is a myth, a Tennessee legend. Unforgettable because of magical moments during games as “the best bad-shot-maker I’ve ever coached,” said former Vols coach Bruce Pearl, and because of his inspirational personal story. The circumstances of Lofton’s final UT season, during which he played through a secret cancer diagnosis, comprised a recent ESPN documentary.

The old heads know. And I’ve got something to make those old heads feel a bit older:

Lofton is about to turn 40.

The last day of his 30s, in fact, was practice day at the United Center on the eve of 2026 Men’s NCAA Tournament regional games there. He’ll celebrate while working. Lofton’s 40^th birthday will be March 27, same day that Tennessee faces Iowa State in the Sweet 16.

“I’m telling you,” Lofton said, “it goes by fast.”

The opportunity “came out of nowhere,” said Lofton. He’d been through the NBA’s coaching program a couple of years ago, and he was close to landing a scouting job with the Boston Celtics last year.

Lofton hadn’t envisioned a detour through media until he got the call in October – and he recoiled initially. “I’ll get back to you,” Lofton told them at the time, all the while thinking, “Talking on the radio? That’s not me.”

But Lofton thought more about it, figuring “Why not? What else do I have to do?” Since then, Lofton has thrown himself into the role.

“Just like he was as a basketball player,” Keith said, “he wants to be good at it.”

This season’s Vol Network hoops team included Keith, Lofton, former UT player Steve Hamer and John Wilkerson, the play-by-play man for Vols baseball.

Since baseball season started for Wilkerson, Lofton has consistently been a part of Tennessee’s broadcasts despite jumping in short-notice to a new career path with no previous experience.

“What Chris has done has been amazing,” Keith said. “Nothing short of amazing, considering his background in (radio) – which was non-existent – his sort of knowledge of how it works and his interest in it before he was contacted in October. …

“If you listen to him from a broadcast in November or December to now, it’s a totally different guy.”

Keith added that “it’s going to be off the charts” for Lofton in Year 2, given how much he has improved.

All Lofton has decided for his post-playing future is that wants to stay in basketball. He hasn’t ruled out a career in coaching or scouting.

But he does love what he’s doing now, he said.

“I open to whatever, honestly,” Lofton said. “I love what I do now. I would love to be more involved on the court, for sure, but it might just be here (on radio).”

Reach Tennessean sports columnist Gentry Estes at gestes@tennessean.com and hang out with him on Bluesky @gentryestes.bsky.social

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Tennessee gas prices keep climbing. Is this the highest they’ve ever been?

Published

1 day ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

Tennessee gas prices keep climbing. Is this the highest they’ve ever been?

Gas prices have risen by over $1 nationally following a conflict with Iran.
Tennessee’s highest recorded average gas price was $4.64 per gallon on June 12, 2022.
Recent gas prices in Tennessee have increased to $3.65 for regular as of March 24.

Gas prices remain a significant issue as the conflict with Iran persists, prompting the United States government and individual states to take action against the rising costs.

On Feb. 28, President Donald Trump ordered strikes on Iran, which the country then responded to by closing the Strait of Hormuz. This blocked about a fifth of the world’s oil from moving to global markets, including the United States.

Since the war began last month and the Strait was closed, gas prices across the country have risen by over $1, and in Tennessee, they have increased by $1.10. While these prices may seem exorbitant, it was only a few years ago that the entire nation saw its highest recorded gas prices.

Here’s the record for the highest gasoline price in Tennessee.

What is the highest price for gas in Tennessee?

According to the AAA gas price tracker, the highest recorded price for a gallon of regular gas was on June 12, 2022, at $4.64. Diesel hit its record high three days later at $5.64.

This is the recorded high for the state average; however, localities have different records, all established around the same time.

Here are the highest recorded prices for gas in Tennessee’s major cities:

Chattanooga: $4.60 on June 10, 2022, for regular; $5.52 on June 14, 2022, for diesel.
Clarksville: $4.71 on June 9, 2022, for regular; $5.71 on June 15, 2022, for diesel.
Jackson: $4.69 on June 16, 2022, for regular; $5.70 on June 21, 2022, for diesel.
Johnson City: $4.62 on June 10, 2022, for regular; $5.70 on June 11, 2022, for diesel.
Kingsport: $4.60 on June 12, 2022, for regular; $5.66 on June 12, 2022, for diesel.
Knoxville: $4.65 on Sept. 15, 2008, for regular; $5.66 on June 10, 2022, for diesel.
Memphis: $4.65 on June 14, 2022, for regular; $5.60 on June 18, 2022, for diesel.
Morristown: $4.63 on June 13, 2022, for regular; $5.67 on June 20, 2022, for diesel.
Nashville: $4.68 on June 10, 2022, for regular; $5.68 on June 15, 2022, for diesel.

How high are gas prices in Tennessee now?

Here are the recently tracked dates for the prices of a gallon of gasoline in Tennessee:

March 11: $3.20 for regular, $4.78 for diesel
March 19: $3.59 for regular, $5 for diesel
March 24: $3.65 for regular, $5.27 for diesel

A month ago, a few days before the United States and Israel initiated the war with Iran, regular gas was $2.55, and diesel was $3.40.

DeKalb County has the highest regular gasoline price at $3.86 on March 25. Hancock County has the lowest price at $3.50.

Of the state’s major metropolitan areas, Knoxville has the cheapest regular gas at $3.60. Chattanooga and Memphis follow at $3.62 and $3.64, respectively. Nashville has the highest price at $3.69.

What is the gas tax in Tennessee?

In the United States, there are two taxes added to gasoline when you go to fill up your vehicle. The first tax is the national tax, and the second is the state tax.

In the United States, the federal government collects a flat rate of 18.4 cents per gallon from residents in every state. This tax is included in the price seen at the pump.

According to the Tennessee Department of Transportation, the gasoline tax in Tennessee is 26 cents, effective July 1, 2019. For diesel fuel, the tax is 27 cents.

Tennessee House Democrats are urging a statewide gas and diesel tax holiday to lower pump prices. In a March 24 press release, State Representatives Bo Mitchell and John Ray Clemmons asked Governor Bill Lee and their Republican colleagues to set aside funding in the FY26-27 Budget Amendment currently being discussed for prompt tax relief for families.