Tennessee
What Tennessee Players Said Following Vols' Win Over Baylor to Finish Opening Weekend | Rocky Top Insider
Tennessee baseball players Kavares Tears and Christian Moore met with the media following the Vols’ 11-5 win over Baylor on Sunday night.
Tears and Moore were instrumental in Tennessee’s explosion at the plate against the Bears, combining for four hits, five RBI, one home run and three walks. Tears put the Vols on the board in the second inning with a three-run blast, while Moore hit a crucial go-ahead two-run double in the fourth that gave Tennessee a lead in which they never relinquished.
Moore was the only Vol to start all three games and finish opening weekend with a batting average above .400, and Tears’ three RBI tied Billy Amick (also tonight) for the most RBI in a single game by a Tennessee player this weekend.
After the game, Tears and Moore each discussed their performances, thoughts on the weekend as a whole and what it meant for the team to bounce back after a loss the night before.
What each of them said is below.
Kavares Tears
On his three-run home run in the second inning:
“I just went up there hunting first pitch fastball. I know earlier in the week I had a little problem pulling off a little bit so I just tried to make sure that my approach today was to just stay through the ball, kind of hunt left-center field.”
On what he was thinking rounding the bases:
“Just excitement. I guess you would say a little bit of relief to just get that first hit out of the way but also to take the lead early in the game to get the team going a little bit. It was a great pitcher they had but I knew that at some point the way our lineup was set up we were going to get to him so it was nice to get to him early.”
On bouncing back from Friday:
“It was pretty nice. I wasn’t really, I guess, stressing too much Friday. Opening day, a little jittery but I kind of settled in a little bit and realized it was the same game that I’ve played since I was a kid. It kind of all just came back to me and I was able to kind of slow my heart rate level a little bit.”
On third baseman Billy Amick’s big performance:
“I would say that it’s impressive but I’ve been watching him do that all fall so I guess you kind of expect nothing else from him. He’s a great player. I think he’ll play a long time. I’ve played baseball for a long time so I guess it’s just something that you’re used to seeing and it’s also a blessing to see players like that and how he goes about his work.”
On Nate Snead’s performance on the mound:
“He shut it down, honestly. They have a great lineup, a great team overall, but he came in there and did what they needed to do. We just kept telling him between innings to keep throwing strikes and that we were going to play the best defense behind him.”
On him having a 409 foot fly out in his third at-bat:
“You can’t really get too mad. It’s baseball. Put a good swing on it. I mean, that’s all I could really ask for. To put a good swing on the ball.”
On what he learned most about the team this weekend:
“I learned how resilient we are. I know we took a loss yesterday. Never gave up, never fought, never, for a second, thought we were out of the game until that last out was made and even then as soon as that game was over we were thinking about tomorrow and firing on all cylinders.”
On it being a strong defensive series for the Vols, whether it was surprising:
“Honestly, no. We all work pretty hard every day. Coaches out there don’t make anything easy on us. So I think it’s just a testament to all the hard work we put in in the fall and even when we got back from Christmas break early in the spring.”
On having tough competition opening weekend:
“I love it. I think if you’re a real competitor and like competing and playing, there’s nothing better you can ask for going out into the last inning.”
More From RTI: Three Takeaways: Hot Bats Propel Tennessee Baseball to Convincing Win Over Baylor in Arlington
Christian Moore
On what went well for him at the plate:
“The scouting report we had before the game – like always – hunting heater and trying to sit back on the off-speed. Just get to their bullpen as fast as we could.”
On what he saw from Kavares Tears and his home run:
“I think it was huge. He had a pretty rough day on Friday and for him to hit a homer back side, I think that’s pretty cool in any setting. It definitely got us going and got the juices flowing for us. Good things happened after that.”
On how exciting a player Kavares Tears is:
“Man, he’s so exciting. I think he has some of the most raw power, speed and athleticism on this team. When he is hot, he is hard to stop. It was really good to see him go out there and perform tonight.”
On bouncing back offensively from Saturday to Sunday:
“That’s the type of team we are. We are going to compete day in and day out. Last night, we faced some good arms and they found holes and we didn’t. That’s part of the game. Today, we were going into it knowing we are obviously a good team and we are going to fight hard and compete pitch by pitch.”
On the power up and down the lineup:
“It’s super exciting. It really reminds me of my freshman year. I think going into this season, we are just trying to stack wins and be good guys – figure out ways to win each day.”
On playing shortstop every game this weekend:
“It feels good. I was a shortstop in high school. Obviously, I had a few guys in front of me last year and freshman year, but it feels really good to be back out there. Feels like home.”
On what he saw from Billy Amick this weekend:
“Billy just being Billy. I call him ‘Billy Barrels.’ He’s going to do what he does best and that’s hit. I’m super excited to have him here – right in the middle of the order, where we need him.”
On what he saw from Nate Sneed:
“The first inning he was out there, I think he hit 99 [mph]. Juices were flowing and it’s your first outing of the season in this amazing park. You’re probably going to be a little rushed and sped up. For him to settle down for us and give us three or four innings, that was huge tonight. And then Stamos coming in and closing the door. I’m super proud of both of them.”
On if Billy Amick is one of the more dangerous hitters he’s played with:
“Absolutely, but I think 1-9 we are all dangerous in a way. But yeah, he’s definitely dangerous.”
Tennessee
Former Tennessee Football Legend Accepts SEC Coaching Gig
The Tennessee Volunteers have been one of the main teams when it comes to producing talent and sending talent to the NFL, which is something that has often been discovered as a standard for the football program. This is something that has been going on for quite some time and isn’t anything new to the news cycle, as the Vols have been able to produce plenty of talented prospects.
Tennessee is the home of many stars, including some of the best defensive players in SEC history. Guys like Eric Berry have found their way through the Tennessee program and onto the NFL, where they would have legendary careers. However, the defensive side of the football is the only side that has produced plenty of talent, as Tennessee has produced a lot of offensive talent as well. With the likes of Peyton Manning and company, the Vols have shown a great track record in getting talent drafted.
The Vols have produced someone who could be considered as one of the best players to play the Tide end position, as the Knoxville, Tennessee program is the home to Dallas Cowboys legend, Jason Witten. Witten is someone who made the most of his career and has been viewed as a top player at the Tide in position, and someone who is often referred to as a legend for the Cowboys, along with being a legend in the game of football as a whole.
Jason Witten Accepts TE Coach Position For Oklahoma
Witten is now taking a new gig, which has him in a huge role inside the Southeastern Conference. The Vols legend is now the tight end coach for the Oklahoma Sooners. The Sooners have had some success out of their tight ends in the past, but the sky is the limit with a guy like Witten coaching up the players. Witten has the opportunity to do really well, as coaching tight ends won’t be an issue, and you have to imagine that he will be able to recruit very well, considering he has a huge name around him, as this is something that we have seen from positional coaches as well as head coaches who have done great work in the league. You have to imagine that the Vols will now have stiff competition for his son, Cooper, who is a five-star recruit for the upcoming 2027 class at the linebacker position.
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Tennessee
Tennessee Football DB Transfer Boo Carter Visits the Vols Rival
The Tennessee Volunteers are looking to land many of the nation’s best players in the transfer portal to replace the players who have already announced they are transferring away from Tennessee. One of the players they lost very early on to the portal, and his plans of entering the portal is Boo Carter.
Carter is someone who has quickly made a name for himself, as he played for the Vols as a freshman. He also played for the Tennessee Vols this past season before suffering an injury that sidelined him for the rest of the season. Carter entered the portal and left an announcement on his X page for those interested. Here is what was said.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank The University of Tennessee Coaches, administrators and fans for a wonderful 2 years. Unfortunately my season has been cut short due to injury. I have decided to enter the transfer portal and I am excited about the opportunities going forward!-Boo Carter”
Boo Carter Visits Vanderbilt
Now that the portal is here, he has started to hear from many teams, including a team many anticipated to be in the picture. The Vols DB heard from the Vanderbilt staff and is now reportedly visiting them. This is a school where many of his friends go currently, and a school that has been doing well, but it is no secret that this is one of the Vols’ biggest rivalries.
He is undecided on a possible commitment somewhere, but the reports have started to indicate that the Commodores are a team to watch moving forward. This will be one to watch for the Vols, as there is a good chance they may see Carter next season.
“Dynamic athlete who quickly made an impact on defense and special teams as a true freshman … Earned the starting STAR position and shined while becoming a dangerous weapon as a punt returner as a true freshman in 2024 … Saw action as a slot receiver as well during 2025 spring practices … Early enrollee in January 2024 who participated in Citrus Bowl practices and spring practice before his true freshman season … Has compiled 63 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, three forced fumbles, three pass breakups and one interception on defense in his career … Dynamic punt returner who averages 16.0 yards per return in his career … Played in 21 career games and made five starts,” the Tennessee Vols athletics website stated.
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Tennessee
Tennessee Football Misses on Major Transfer Portal Target
The Tennessee Volunteers have been looking to land the best of the best when it comes to the transfer portal, and they have been targeting the best, but as of recently, all it has been is a bunch of swings and misses.
The Vols have missed yet again, as they have failed to land one of their top targets on their board when it comes to the college football transfer portal at a position that they currently need more than any. That position is the cornerback position, which is one that they need very badly.
The player that they failed to land in this go-around is Troy cornerback Jaquez White. White is one of the better players that the portal has seen at the position, as he was easily named as a top portal target for many. He was seriously looking at Tennessee, and the Vols were ready to bring him in, but instead, he has opted to commit to the Virginia Tech Hokies. The Hokies have done a decent job in the portal thus far, but their portal class has definitely improved following the addition of White.
Whether this is a money thing or the Vols just couldn’t do enough convincing, the point is that they have missed on guys left and right recently. The vision isn’t clear, but fans are hopeful that it will be soon.
Here is what White did in his 2025 season according to the Troy website.
Jaquez White’s 2025 Season
“Earned All-Sun Belt Second Team honors … Ranked third in the league (seventh nationally) with 14 total passes defended and fourth (15th nationally) with 11 pass break ups … Started 12 games and played in all 14 contests … Returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown in Troy’s victory over Louisiana; added interceptions against Nicholls and in Sun Belt Championship Game at James Madison … Finished season with 67 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack … Sack came in Troy’s win over South Alabama; added five tackles, a quarterback hurry and a pass break up in the game … Season-best seven tackles against Memphis … Broke up four passes in win at ULM and had a pair at Southern Miss … Troy’s top-rated defender per PFF with an 87.6 rating … Played 879 defensive snaps, second most on the team … Third-rated cornerback in the country (min. 700 snaps) per PFF and fourth-rated cover corner … Held opponents to a 54.5 reception percentage (36-of-66).”
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