Tennessee smokes Hofstra to open 2025 season, 15-0

An easy evening for the Vols.

It took Tennessee baseball no time at all to get going on the 2025 season. The Volunteers put up three runs in the first inning and never looked back.

Hunter Ensley knocked in Dean Curley, then transfer newcomer Gavin Kilen got home on a wild pitch. Cannon Peebles hit in another on a single to make it 3-0. Dean Curley hit his first homerun of the season in the bottom of the second to add two more.

Tennessee had a 5-0 lead before starter Liam Doyle even broke a sweat.

Andrew Fischer took an inside fastball over the right field wall next, giving the Vols a 6-0 lead. Tennessee went on to load the bases where Reese Chapman would score Peebles on a fielder’s choice.

Doyle would go five innings in his debut for the Volunteers. He allowed just one hit and struck out 11 of the 15 batters he faced. Doyle threw 58 total pitches — 42 for strikes. Tanner Franklin would take over to start the sixth.

Tennessee loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth and backup catcher Stone Lawless drove in two more. He just missed out on a grand slam, but he provided Tennessee with a very comfortable 10-0 lead.

A hit batsman would load them again for Ariel Antigua, who drove in two more. It was a ground ball that got past short — and the Vols weren’t done. Sophomore Hunter High drilled a moonshot out to right to clear the bases and give Tennessee a 15-0 lead. It was High’s first career homerun.

That was the perfect capper for the run-rule job.

Tennessee is back in action tomorrow afternoon, once again on SEC Network+ (ESPN App). Start time is set for 4 p.m. ET.