The 2025 recruiting cycle continues to heat up, and Tennessee Football has positioned itself firmly in the After a grueling weekend in College Station where the Tennessee Volunteers dropped their first SEC series of the season to Texas A&M, Tony Vitello’s squad bounced back with authority. The No. 5-ranked Vols (26-6, 7-5 SEC) handled Alabama State 10-2 Tuesday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, using the midweek tilt to reset momentum ahead of another pivotal SEC matchup—this time against Ole Miss.
While the victory over the Hornets won’t shake up the rankings or RPI significantly, it was a tone-setter, a statement that this team isn’t letting one tough weekend define its season. The Vols looked energized, efficient, and perhaps most importantly—locked in.
Midweek Dominance: Clean Baseball Returns to Rocky Top
In front of a home crowd eager to see the Vols bounce back, Tennessee wasted no time asserting control. The bats came alive early, and the pitching staff delivered a no-nonsense performance that limited Alabama State to just two runs on five hits.
Freshman outfielder Reese Chapman launched his first home run of the season in the second inning, igniting a four-run surge that gave Tennessee a lead it never surrendered. Chapman’s homer wasn’t just a personal milestone—it was a spark. From that point on, Tennessee’s lineup maintained consistent pressure, combining timely hits with aggressive baserunning.
Also key in the offensive explosion was Christian Moore, who has firmly cemented himself as a reliable source of pop and plate discipline in the middle of the order. He reached base multiple times and continues to be a foundational piece in the Vols’ offensive strategy.
Pitching Staff Shuffles But Delivers
With a crucial SEC series on deck, Tennessee approached this midweek contest with a committee mindset on the mound. The plan worked flawlessly.
Sophomore LHP Jake Fitzgibbons got the start and turned in two scoreless innings, working around a leadoff double in the first. He was followed by a parade of arms—each offering a glimpse of the bullpen depth Tennessee is fortunate to have.
Sophomore Andrew Behnke and freshman AJ Russell each recorded scoreless frames, showing command and a knack for working ahead in counts. In total, the Vols used seven pitchers, and none threw more than two innings—a clear move to preserve arms for the upcoming SEC series.
One notable moment came in the fifth, when sophomore RHP Nate Snead inherited a jam and struck out back-to-back batters to end the threat. Snead’s ability to miss bats in key moments continues to build his case as a high-leverage option moving forward.
Tony Vitello: “We Needed That One”
Following the game, head coach Tony Vitello acknowledged that while Alabama State might not be the toughest opponent on their schedule, the importance of a sharp performance wasn’t lost on him.
“I told the guys before the game—this isn’t about who we’re playing. This is about how we play,” Vitello said. “And I thought we got back to playing Tennessee baseball tonight.”
That means energy in the dugout. That means smart at-bats. That means aggressive base-running and staying ahead on the mound. The Vols checked every box on Tuesday night, and Vitello knows that’s the kind of baseball it’ll take to beat Ole Miss this weekend.
Looking Ahead: Vols vs. Rebels at The Box
While Tuesday was about building momentum, the real test is coming quickly.
Tennessee will host the Ole Miss Rebels (20-14, 4-8 SEC) starting Friday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Despite their underwhelming record, Ole Miss has plenty of firepower—and they’ll be desperate to claw back into the SEC race.
Make no mistake: this series matters.
The Vols are currently tied for second in the SEC East and need to keep pace with front-running Kentucky and Florida. After dropping two of three in College Station, another series loss would open the door for the rest of the division to tighten things up heading into May.
Tennessee’s pitching rotation is expected to return to its usual weekend alignment, with Drew Beam, Zander Sechrist, and AJ Russell likely taking the mound against the Rebels.
Injury Updates: Kilen and Doyle
A key storyline heading into the Ole Miss series is the health of infielder Gavin Kilen and left-hander Liam Doyle. Both were sidelined during the Texas A&M series, and their statuses remain day-to-day.
Kilen’s bat and glove at shortstop have been invaluable this season, while Doyle had emerged as a crucial part of the weekend rotation before his recent absence.
Vitello said postgame that both players are “progressing,” and there’s “optimism” one or both could be available this weekend. If not, the Vols will once again rely on depth—something they’ve shown no shortage of in 2025.
Player Spotlight: Reese Chapman’s Time to Shine?
Chapman’s home run couldn’t have come at a better time—for both himself and the team. The sophomore outfielder has been looking for rhythm since returning from early-season injuries, and his Tuesday performance might just kickstart a strong second half.
Vitello praised Chapman’s work ethic and maturity, noting that his patience during rehab and willingness to stay ready was “veteran-level.”
If Chapman continues to produce, it adds another layer to an already dangerous lineup that includes Blake Burke, Christian Moore, Billy Amick, and Dylan Dreiling—all players with serious postseason experience and pop.
Stats That Stand Out
- Tennessee improved to 21-1 this season when scoring 5+ runs. The offense remains the engine.
- The Vols struck out just six times Tuesday—a sharp contrast to the swing-and-miss issues that plagued them in the Texas A&M series.
- Tennessee used seven pitchers, none of whom allowed more than two baserunners.
- Tennessee is now 18-2 at home this season.
Final Thoughts: Setting the Table for a Statement Weekend
Tennessee did what it needed to do Tuesday night—secure a clean, dominant win to clear out the bad vibes of last weekend. The Alabama State win was a reset, a reminder, and a message to themselves: this is still a team capable of Omaha-level baseball.
With a marquee SEC showdown ahead, the Vols are trending in the right direction once again. They’ll need to bring their best against Ole Miss, but Tuesday’s win suggests this team isn’t just surviving adversity—it’s learning from it.
