Tennessee

Tennessee Baseball Notebook: Analyzing The Vols Entering The Postseason | Rocky Top Insider

Published

2 years ago

May 19, 2024

Tennessee Baseball Notebook: Analyzing The Vols Entering The Postseason | Rocky Top Insider

Photo By Kate Luffman/Tennessee Athletics

Tennessee baseball concluded the regular season by completing a weekend sweep of South Carolina at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

The Vols earned the one-seed int he SEC Tournament and a share of the SEC Championship by posting a 46-10 (22-8 SEC) record. Tennessee finished the season strong, sweeping its final three home series and posting a 12-3 record the back half of SEC play.

Where do things stand for Tennessee baseball entering the SEC Tournament and what questions do we have entering postseason play? Taking a look in the latest Tennessee baseball notebook.

Signs Of Life At Designated Hitter

We’ve written and talked at length about Tennessee’s designated hitter issues in the back half of SEC play and its importance in the Vols’ reaching their offensive potential.

Tony Vitello continued to rotate players at the spot this weekend. Colby Backus, Reese Chapman and Dalton Bargo all started games and Bargo was the only one that didn’t get pinch hit for later in the game.

It wasn’t an all of a sudden great weekend for Tennessee at the designated hitter spot but there were signs of improvement. Five Volunteer hitters combined to hit three-for-nine with a walk and a hit-by pitch (.455 OBP).

Bargo broke out of a zero-for-20 slump in SEC play with two hits on Saturday while both Reese Chapman and Cannon Peebles reached base and had good at-bats. It was a step in the right direction for Tennessee, but don’t expect any change in the strategy entering entering the postseason.

“They shouldn’t feel like the frequent changes come because they did something wrong so we’re trying some other guy,” Vitello said. “It’s (because) we have the flexibility to go into a game if we really wanted to, we had the flexibility if the DH spot gets four at-bats to do four different guys.”

Hunter Ensley’s Strong Stretch Continues

Tennessee centerfielder Hunter Ensley was one of the Vols’ best hitters a season ago, but has struggled to find his footing over the course of the season.

But over the last few weeks, Ensley has done just that. He turned in one of his best weekends of the season against South Carolina. He hit just two-of-six but walked six times and hit the go-ahead three-run home run in game two of the weekend series.

Over the last four series, Ensley is 11-for-31 (.297) at the plate with three home runs, 12 RBIs, eight walks and two hit-by pitches.

The redshirt junior isn’t going to be one of the top hitters on this year’s team like he was last season. But he’s back to hitting like he did last season over the past month. That’s high level production to go along with great defense in centerfield.

And that is very valuable.

Who Starts For Tennessee On Wednesday At SEC Tournament?

Tennessee opens up play at the SEC Tournament on Wednesday evening where they’ll face the winner of Tuesday night’s Florida-Vanderbilt game.

So who starts on the mound for Tennessee in its SEC Tournament opener?

Rolling with its usual series opening combo of Chris Stamos and AJ Causey is a possibility. It would be one day less rest than usual but Tennessee has done that plenty of times this season when series alternate from Friday to Thursday starts. But after the Vols pitched the duo on six days rest last week they might not want to force the duo to do that for the second straight week.

If not Stamos and Causey, then who?

Nate Snead threw just 22 pitches in Saturday’s series finale. He would likely be available to throw a full outings worth of pitches. Tennessee hasn’t used him as a starter all year but he’s worked up enough to handle a starter’s workload.

How Does Tennessee Use AJ Russell?

Another potential option is AJ Russell. Sidelined since the Ole Miss series, the right-handed pitcher seems likely to return to the mound this week in Hoover.

While Russell won’t be worked up enough for a true start, Russell could serve as an opener. However, Russell is similar to Snead and with Snead the most likely arm to pitch in long relief on Wednesday, it feels unlikely that Tennessee would stack to the two.

That’s a micro look at how Tennessee could use AJ Russell at the SEC Tournament but what about the macro view? What’s the most valuable way to use Russell in the NCAA Tournament?

He could serve as an opener but Tennessee already has two pitchers they like in that role. A high leverage reliever seems more likely. Someone who can come in to the game in a big spot and get three to six outs for Tennessee, whether that be in the fifth inning or the eighth inning.

As Russell gets worked up and can throw more pitches, that’s when Tennessee can get creative with how they use him and Snead. Tennessee’s pitching has been very good the last two months but depth remains a bit of a question.

Russell is capable of providing a huge boost to the pitching staff in whatever role. That almost certainly starts this week in Hoover.

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Tennessee

Volunteers needed for community-wide cleanup day with Hands On Nashville

Published

4 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Volunteers needed for community-wide cleanup day with Hands On Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — On Thursday, Hands On and NewsChannel 5 staff will come together for a community-wide cleanup day.

The event, sponsored by NewsChannel 5 will take place from 9:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 5 as we assist in winter storm cleanup.

If you’d like to help volunteer, you can sign up here.

Rhori, Carrie, Lelan and Brittany will all be helping assist residents removing and sorting debris.

Important details for those wishing to volunteer:

This may require lifting and carrying objects that weigh 20+ pounds.
Closed-toe shoes and long pants required. Heavy soles and steel toes preferred. Gloves and safety goggles will be provided, or you may bring your own.
Current tetanus vaccination recommended. Chainsaws, utility crews, and heavy equipment will be active in the area.
Volunteers under the age of 18 are prohibited from participating.
Eat before you arrive and bring a water bottle, if needed.

Nashville’s Jefferson Street Sound Museum named stop on U.S. Civil Rights Trail

The Jefferson Street Sound Museum is a great little gem in North Nashville. The founder and curator turned his home into a museum to keep the legacy of historic Jefferson street alive. Now, it’s been named a stop on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail. Aaron Cantrell takes us inside.

– Lelan Statom

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Vanderbilt women’s basketball beats Lady Vols for second-ever win in Knoxville

Published

16 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Vanderbilt women’s basketball beats Lady Vols for second-ever win in Knoxville

KNOXVILLE ― Vanderbilt women’s basketball won at Tennessee for only the second time in program history, beating the Lady Vols 87-77 at Food City Center on March 1.

The Commodores (27-3, 13-3) are the No. 2 seed in the SEC Tournament, which begins March 4 in Greenville, South Carolina.

The regular-season finale featured multiple runs by both teams. Tennessee went on an 8-0 run in the second quarter and took a six-point lead into halftime. Vanderbilt went on an 8-0 run to end the third quarter, then went a 10-0 run in the fourth to put the game away.

The Commodores, who shot 53% from the field, were led by Mikayla Blakes, who finished with 34 points. Aubrey Galvan had 24 points, four rebounds and five assists, and Sacha Washington had 16 points, eight rebounds and two assists.

“The season has been really special, to be able to end it here at Tennessee with a win and secure I think the No. 2 seed in the SEC tournament,” coach Shea Ralph said. “So the double bye, it feels really cool. I’m happy for the team, but we are literally just getting started.”

Tennessee (16-12, 8-8) outrebounded Vanderbilt 32-29. The Commodores shot 17-for-20 on layups and had 27 fast-break points. Tennessee was 10-for-24 on layups.

Vanderbilt’s SEC Tournament seed

The SEC Tournament will be held at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. Vanderbilt will start play on March 6 and holds a bye into the quarterfinals, where it will play the No. 7 or No. 10 seed at approximately 5 p.m. CT.

Mikayla Blakes stats

Blakes put up another 30-point performance, her third straight and eighth in her past nine games. She added six rebounds and four assists, but also had six turnovers.

She made six 3-pointers, which ties her season high.

“She had 34 but her biggest buckets were when we had to happen,” Ralph said. “Her biggest moments in this game were when we had to happen. That kid shows up every time.”

Third straight rivalry win

Vanderbilt now has three straight wins over the Lady Vols, beating them last season in Nashville and once in the SEC Tournament.

“I think Tennessee is a great team,” Ralph said. “They will be for as long as women’s basketball exists. Playing here in front of this crowd is tough. It’s tough. So I was really proud of our team for being able to figure it out the second half and win, especially here at Tennessee.”

The Commodores have their most SEC wins in program history.

Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson.

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Tennessee baseball vs Virginia Tech live updates: Highlights, TV channel

Published

1 day ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Tennessee baseball vs Virginia Tech live updates: Highlights, TV channel

ARLINGTON, TX — Tennessee baseball is trying to wrap up the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series on a good note against Virginia Tech today.

The 19th-ranked Vols (7-3) lost to UCLA and beat Arizona State for a split at Globe Life Field, the home of the Texas Rangers. They’re finishing this trip against Virginia Tech (7-3), a game that began at 11:30 a.m. ET (FloCollege streaming).

Virginia Tech lost 10-0 by run rule to Texas A&M in Game 1 and lost 15-8 to Mississippi State in Game 2.

Lefthander Evan Blanco (1-1, 2.00 ERA) got the start for the Vols. Right-hander Ethan Grim (0-0, 3.75 ERA) started for Virginia Tech.

Follow live updates here from Arlington.

Tennessee baseball vs Virginia Tech live updates

Sam Grube struck out. Nick Lucorto singled to CF. Ethan Ball was hit by pitch to put runners on first and second. That ended UT starter Evan Blanco’s outing. Blanco allowed one run on two hits over 5 1/3 innings. He struck out six, walked one and hit three batters, tossing 91 pitches.

Left-hander Mark Hindy replaced Blanco. Hindy struck out Treyson Hughes. Hudson Lutterman fouled out to end the threat. 0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors, 2 LOB

Chris Newstrom grounded out. Manny Marin flied out to CF. Ariel Antigua popped out. 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB.

Top 5th inning: Tennessee 1, Virginia Tech 1

UT starter Evan Blanco made quick work of the Hokies, getting a strikeout, groundout and flyout. 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB

Bottom 4th inning: Tennessee 1, Virginia Tech 1

Levi Clark grounded out. Reese Chapman flied out to RCF. Tyler Myatt flied out to CF. 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB.

Nick Lucorto hit a solo home run, driving a 1-2 pitch over the LF wall to tie the game 1-1. Ethan Ball was hit by pitch. Treyson Hughes fouled out. Hudson Letterman reached on fielder’s choice, but UT couldn’t turn the double play. Owen Petrich flied out to RF. 1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors, 1 LOB.

Chris Newstrom flied out. Manny Marin popped out. Ariel Antigua reached on an infield single when he hit a grounder to the first baseman and beat the pitcher to the bag. Jay Abernathy walked to put two runners on base with two outs. Henry Ford singled through the middle to score Antigua from second and move Abernathy to third. Vols lead 1-0. Blaine Brown struck out to end the inning. 1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors, 2 LOB.

Anderson French struck out. Pete Daniel walked and advanced to 2B on a balk. Sam Gates lined out. Sam Grube grounded out, stranding a runner on 2B. 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 1 LOB.

Levi Clark smashed a long flyout to the CF warning track, traveling more than 400 feet. Reese Chapman struck out. Tyler Myatt struck out. 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB.

UT starter Evan Blanco only needed 12 pitches to get through a 1-2-3 inning, including two strikeouts. Treyson Hughes struck out. Hudson Lutterman flied out. Owen Pettrich struck out. 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB.

Bottom 1st inning: Tennessee 0, Virginia Tech

Jay Abernathy struck out. Henry Ford flied out. Blaine Brown struck out. 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB.

Top 1st inning: Virginia Tech 0, Tennessee 0

UT starter Evan Blanco hit leadoff hitter Sam Grube with a pitch. Nic Locurto flied out to RF. Grube was thrown by stealing by catcher Levi Clark. Ethan Ball struck out. 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB.

What channel is Tennessee baseball vs Virginia Tech on today?

TV channel: FloSports app on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, etc.
Live stream: FloCollege streaming (for subscribers)

Tennessee baseball vs Virginia Tech time today

11:30 a.m. ET at Globe Life Field (Arlington, Texas)

Tennessee baseball vs Virginia Tech probable pitchers

Tennessee: LHP Evan Blanco (1-1, 2.00 ERA)
Virginia Tech: TBD

Tennessee in Amegy Bank College Baseball Series schedule

Adam Sparks is the Tennessee beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

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