The Volunteers take care of the Gators.
SEC play is here, and an early showdown between Tennessee and Florida was one of the highlights of the week one slate. The 16-2 Florida Gators came town in hopes of knocking off the undefeated Tennessee Volunteers.
Just like everyone else so far this season, they couldn’t get the job done.
Both sides threw their aces, and Tennessee would eventually get the better of Florida’s Liam Peterson.
A Jay Abernathy walk then back to back singles ended up loading the bases for Tennessee in the bottom of the 5th, and Hunter Ensley delivered. A double would bring home two runs, giving the Volunteers a 3-1 lead. A wild pitch would bring in another.
That would be the night for Florida ace Liam Peterson, who went four innings and ended up giving up four earned.
The Gators would come back with three straight singles off of Tanner Franklin to load the bases, then another single would score two. Tony Vitello turned to Dylan Loy with two men on and no outs, who ended up loading the bases again following a wild pitch and a walk.
Vitello then went to Nate Snead, who miraculously worked out of the jam. An awkward infield bloop went right to the second base bag, and a slide to the left to break up a potential double play was ruled base-running interference. The unconventional double play got them out of the inning holding a 4-3 advantage.
Unconventional but effective!
https://t.co/EdwYMSyzcr#GBO // #BeatUF pic.twitter.com/LzSaTSCTXT
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) March 15, 2025
Liam Doyle’s night on the mound ended after 4.2 innings. He would strike out six and gave up just one earned run.
Gavin Kilen gave Tennessee a little breathing room with a sacrifice fly to make it 5-3, and that’s all Tennessee needed. Snead would close this one out, holding Florida scoreless over his 3.2 inning of work.
Final score: Tennessee 5, Florida 3.
Game two is set for tomorrow night at 6 p.m. ET on SEC Network.