Tony Vitello and the Volunteers welcomed the Samford Bulldogs to Lindsey Nelson for another chilly weekend showdown. 

Liam Doyle was given the Friday evening start for the second week in a row. This will most likely end up being the role Doyle settles into for the rest of the season, and settle in, he did. 

Coming off an amazing start last weekend against Hofstra in the season opener, Doyle and team didn’t skip a beat in game one against the Bulldogs. 

The time of first pitch was actually pushed forward prior to the game due to how cold it was getting that night. However, Doyle was bringing the heat on this freezing day in Knoxville. 

The lefty has shown nothing but pure dominance thus far into the season. He came out firing in the top of the first, striking out the side in 10 quick pitches. Doyle’s day came to an end after an amazing five and a third innings pitched, with a stat line of two hits, one earned run, one walk, and an outstanding 14 strikeouts. Doyle now leads all of Division 1 pitchers in strikeouts with 25. 

Tanner Franklin was the one called upon to relieve Doyle. Last Friday’s matchup had the same blueprint to success for Coach Vitello. With Doyle’s craftiness from the left side, and Franklin’s power velo from the right side, it sets up a perfect dynamic for the Vols pitching staff to dice through these lineups. 

Franklin went the rest of the way, completing three and two thirds innings, allowing only 2 hits, no runs, no walks, and a smooth six strikeouts to tag along. 

On the offensive side, the Vols didn’t put up numbers like they did last weekend, however, they got the job done and done with ease. 

This was the first time this season Tennessee didn’t jump out on top and score in the first inning of the game. That scoreless drought did not last long, however, with Reese Chapman launching a solo shot in the bottom of the second to start the scoring. 

Cole Peebles followed with one of his own an inning later. 

The Vols scraped across another few runs and took home Game 1 with a final of 5-1.

Game 2 brought Tony V and the Vols their first ounce of pressure on the season. 

The Samford Bulldogs quickly gained a one run lead, thanks to a fielder’s choice that brought in runner. 

From then on till the fifth inning, Cameron Keshock went to work for the Bulldogs. Limiting the third team in the country to one run on three hits. Incredible outing for the Auburn transfer. 

After the Bulldogs tacked on another run in the top of the fifth, the Vols responded with one of their own, score now 2-1. 

Dalton Bargo stepped up in the bottom of the sixth and tied it up with one swing of the bat. 

Samford didn’t let the momentum shift phase them and regained the lead in the seventh on a Gatlin Pitts double. 

Again, the Vols responded in the bottom half. The speedster, Jay Abernathy, who is known for causing havoc on the base paths, took advantage of a Samford wild pitch, tying the game at three. 

At this point in the game, it could’ve been anyone’s ball game. 

Starting fresh in the eight, the Vols held off the Bulldogs offense. Coming up to hit for the Vols was their 4,5,6 due up. The Vols loaded the bases and looked to the bench for freshman power bat Levi Clark. Deliver he did, with a towering, dramatic grand slam to seal the series win for the Vols.

The Vols are wheels up and headed down to Houston for the Astros Foundation College Classic!