By: Sam Thornton
For the first time in program history, Tennessee will take on Samford starting on Friday night. The defending national champions opened the season 4-0 and have outscored their opponents 75-6. Samford will be the Vols' toughest test so far in the early season. So far this season, Samford boasts a 3-1 record with a sweep of Valparaiso last weekend. Samford is a quality mid-major opponent for the Vols and should be an interesting matchup with extremely low temperatures expected all weekend.
Game Schedule
Game 1: Friday, February 21, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM ET (updated from 4:00 PM due to expected low temperatures)
Starting Pitchers: Liam Doyle v Miller Riggins
Keys to the game:
Temperatures will be frigid on Friday, with expected temperatures around 35 degrees at first pitch.
Liam Doyle will make his second start as a Vol with a fully stocked bullpen behind him, while Samford’s veteran offense will look to disrupt a great start to Doyle’s career in Knoxville.
Samford has only faced 2 LHP over 3 innings this season. None of of them threw upper 90s fastballs. They will have to be ready to see some heat in the cold.
Game 2: Saturday, February 22, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM ET (updated from 4:30 PM due to weather)
Starting Pitchers: Marcus Phillips v Cameron Keshock
Keys to the game:
Marcus Phillips looks to make his second start as a Vol. He boasts another upper 90s fastball that Samford will have to contend with in another cold weather game.
Keshock struggled early against Valpo and the Vols will need to take advantage early.
Samford will have their work cut out for them against Phillips. If they can show some patience at the plate, Phillips has struggled with walks in the past.
Game 3: Sunday, February 23, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM ET (unchanged from original schedule)
Starting Pitchers: TBD v Josh Leerssen
Keys to the game:
Potential starting pitchers for the Vols include Nate Snead, who started last Sunday’s game against Hofstra, Teegan Kuhns, or Dylan Loy. Kuhns and Loy were both unavailable last weekend but are expected to be back soon for Tennessee.
Expect the Vols to show off some of their bullpen depth in game 3.
Samford will have to take advantage when they get opportunities against a flurry of different arms and looks from the Vols staff.
Players to Watch
Samford catcher Cade Carr is batting .429 and leads the team with 10 RBI.
Friday night starter Miller Riggins will be making his 4th career start for the Bulldogs.
CF Michael Gupton has been raking out of the 9 hole for Samford, with 2 doubles and a triple already this season.
SS Dean Curley is off to a blistering start with a .545 average and 3 HR out of the leadoff spot for the Vols.
Lefty Liam Doyle will get the nod again on Friday night after striking out 11 batters in 5 innings last Friday vs Hofstra.
Gavin Kilen has been red hot to start the year, including obliterating a baseball over the scoreboard on Tuesday afternoon.
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