A big return for Tennessee.
Tennessee baseball stayed perfect on Tuesday afternoon, disposing of North Alabama 7-5. It looked easy early, but turned into a challenge late.
Pitcher AJ Russell returned from Tommy John surgery after just eight months. The righty had the less invasive version of the elbow surgery, and made a perfect return this afternoon at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Russell threw 17 pitches in the first inning and struck out all three batters he faced. He would go just one inning.
AJ Russell strikes out the side in his return for Tennessee because of course he did. pic.twitter.com/8PYrIvD15O
— SEC Unfiltered (@SECUnfiltered) February 25, 2025
Back to back two-out RBIs started the offense for Tennessee. Cannon Peebles and Reese Chapman took turns driving in runs to give the Volunteers a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st. Levi Clark drew a walk to load the bases, then Stone Lawless drew another to score another Tennessee run. Jay Abernathy went oppo down the line with a ground ball to score two more.
At the end of the 1st, Tennessee already held a commanding 5-0 lead.
Chapman added another with his second hit of the game in the next inning. Lawless struck out with the bases loaded and a chance to really blow this game open early.
Tennessee reliever Michael Sharman put two on in the 3rd, then North Alabama’s Alex Wilson singled up the middle two score two runs. Gavin Kilen would get one back with a solo shot in the 3rd.
The two sides traded runs over the next few innings before things got interesting late. North Alabama closed things up to a 7-5 game in the 9th inning, but Ryan Combs eventually shut the door.
Tennessee would hang on to win, 7-5. The Volunteers improved to 8-0 on the year, with a big weekend in Houston looming. Tennessee will face Rice, Oklahoma State and Arizona next.