The Tennessee Volunteers secured the all-important opener of their series against the Kentucky Wildcats with an 8-2 win on Friday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Liam Doyle picked up the win for Tennessee with yet another strong performance in a series opener. He allowed 2 ER over 7 innings with 9 strikeouts. Nate Harris took the loss for Kentucky, allowing 5 ER over 5 innings.
Kentucky struck first and quickly, putting up 2 runs in the top of the first on a 2-run HR by Devin Burkes. That would be it for offense for the night for the Wildcats.
Tennessee answered quickly in the bottom of the first. Reese Chapman slugged one up the middle for a 2-run single that gave the Vols a lead they wouldn’t give back.
The story of the night aside from Doyle’s dominance was C Cannon Peebles. The Vols’ backstop blasted two home runs – one from each side of the plate. With Tennessee leading 4-2 in the 6th, Peebles sent a towering fly ball towards left center. The ball kept carrying and just got over the outfielder’s glove for a backbreaking 3-run shot. He’d put one over the fence to right center in the 8th for good measure.
Oh, and Ariel Artigua had one of the defensive plays of the year in the seventh inning.
Hey @SportsCenter, we’ve got an #SCTop10 play for ya…
https://t.co/N8dq0695Ji (SECN+)#GBO // #BeatUK pic.twitter.com/3a0H4Lxhez
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) April 19, 2025
Tennessee and Kentucky keep things going on Saturday evening at 6 pm, with Marcus Phillips taking the hill for the Vols.