Tennessee bounced back in fine fashion Saturday night as the Vols used a 6 run 8th inning to pull away from LSU for a 9-3 win to set up the rubber game in the series Sunday afternoon. Here’s four quick takes an what feels like an important win for the Vols as May arrives next week. 

Tennessee’s response I — It was only natural to wonder how Tennessee would respond following the Friday night/Saturday morning 9th inning collapse. It was just out of character for the Vols. You had to go a ways to find a collapse like that in the Tony Vitello era. So how would the Vols respond. 

The answer — the way you are supposed to. Tennessee no hit LSU through the first four innings and the Vols jumped out to a 3-0 lead. 

Tony Vitello said early in the year, his question about this team is how would they respond to adversity. They haven’t been perfect this season, but they have been ok. They haven’t had more adversity to overcome than they had coming to the ball yard Saturday night and Tennessee responded exactly the way a championship program should. 

Tennessee’s response II — Leading 3-0, Tennessee found themselves where they were on Friday and back to back LSU home runs got the Tigers back into the game 3-2 heading into the top of the 8th. 

Tennessee had left 11 on base heading into the 8th frame. The Vols couldn’t get that key hit to have a big inning. 

How would the Vols respond to getting punched in the mouth in the bottom of the 7th and the crowd back into the game? Tennessee responded with 6 runs. 

The Vols took advantage of LSU hitting two, an intentional walk. Hunter Ensley picked up an RBI by getting plunked. Dalton Bargo brought in two on a single and Cannon Peebles put things on ice with a three blast to left field. 

Marcus Phillips was brilliant minus two pitches — Tennessee had lost three straight game two’s in SEC play heading into Saturday night. The Vols had bee outscored 21-9 in those three games. 

In a must have performance to give the Vols a chance to win the game and the series, Marcus Phillips delivered in a big time way. Phillips made two bad pitches out of 100. Phillips no hit the Tigers through the first four frames. He finished going 6.2 innings giving up 2 home runs and 3 total hits. Phillips had 6 strikeouts and gave up 4 walks. 

Phillips worked himself out of a big jam in the fifth. LSU had first and third with one out. Phillips got a fly out to shallow right and made a great play on a bunt attempt getting the out at first to get out of the jam. 

Have a day Cannon Peebles — Eric Cain wrote a good piece on Peebles and his improvement as a hitter as the switch hitting catcher has moved into the every day role behind the plate. 

Peebles improved calm demeanor has showed up the last couple of weeks and it showed up in a big way Saturday night. Peeples went 2 for 3 at the plate and recorded 5 RBI’s with a base hit a three run home run and a sacrifice fly. 

Peebles has 4 multi hit games in the Vols last seven outings. He’s 11 for his last 26 (.423) with 13 RBI’s and 5 HR’s. 

The former Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver is still on the board after the first two day have concluded. He could be one of the biggest selections on Saturday.

Dont’e Thornton Jr is still on the board in the NFL Draft after three full rounds. Thornton had his best college season last year as he led the Vols in receiving yards. He finished his season with 26 catches, 661 yards, and 6 touchdowns.

Thornton made real headlines when he participated in the 40-yard dash. He ran a 4.30 and is 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds. This isn’t exactly common. Thornton’s breakaway speed has him as one of the best remaining WRs, as ESPN has him as the 13th best WR still on the board, but he will likely be selected over many of the players in front of him.

The draft resumes at 12:00 PM EST on Saturday. This is the third and final day of the event, as rounds 4-7 will be selected.

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OTHER TENNESSEE NEWS

• The spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect from Asia, has been sighted in Tennessee.
• Residents are urged to report sightings, kill any spotted lanternflies or egg masses they find, and check vehicles for hitchhikers.
• It feeds on a wide variety of plants, including trees of heaven, fruit trees, and grapevines.

The Tennessee Division of Natural Areas asks residents to report any sightings of an invasive insect species.

The spotted lanternfly, an invasive species native to China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam, has been seen in Tennessee this spring. The Tennessee Division of Natural Areas shared that it recently received another report of the spotted lanternfly from the Tennessee Division of Forestry. The first sighting of a spotted lanternfly in Tennessee was in Davidson County in 2023, with other sightings reported in Wilson County later.

Once established, this species is known to spread rapidly through new areas. The long-distance spread of the spotted lanternfly comes through people who move infested material or items containing egg masses. As of January 2025, Tennessee is reported to be one of 18 states ever to report insect sightings.

Here’s what to know about the spotted lanternfly in Tennessee.

What’s the problem with the spotted lanternfly?

The spotted lanternfly is an invasive plant hopper first detected in 2014. It is a sapsucking insect that feeds on water and nutrients in plants. The spotted lanternfly gathers in large numbers on host plants and flat surfaces.

Adult spotted lanternflies are prominent in late summer and early fall. They are about one inch long and half an inch wide with spotted and red wings. Spotted lanternflies gather in large numbers on plants, feeding on nutrients and water.

Why are spotted lanternflies bad?

It is a plant stressor, making it more susceptible to other insects and diseases. The spotted lanternfly also produces honeydew as it feeds. The honeydew can coat areas underneath infested plants, causing mold to grow.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture says they can spread long distances when people and vehicles move infested material or items containing egg masses.

What attracts spotted lanternflies? The tree of heaven and more

The spotted lanternfly primarily favors the tree of heaven, an invasive tree species in the United States. The tree is prevalent across the state, according to a map tracking invasive species from the University of Georgia.

They can also attack grape vines and fruit trees. Spotted lanternflies will also infest maple, poplar, and walnut trees.

“This pest is known to attack more than 70 species of plants, including several important agricultural crops and a variety of other fruit and ornamental trees, shrubs, and vines,” the Tennessee Division of Natural Areas said. “This insect also feeds on maple, walnut, and poplar.”

Spotted lanternfly eggs hatch in the spring and early summer from April through October. Early instar nymphs are black with white spots; fourth instar nymphs are red with black and white spots.

Adult spotted lanternflies, usually seen between July and November, are about one inch long and one-half inch wide. The tan forewings have black spots, while their signature colorful hindwings have lower red and upper black patches, separated by a white section. The red hindwings are mostly hidden unless the wings are spread.

What to do if you find a spotted lanternfly?

According to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, people who see the fly or an egg mass should take photos, fill out a pest identification form, destroy the insect or egg masses by stomping on them or dousing them with rubbing alcohol, and check vehicles, boats and campers to make sure there are no insects or eggs there.