Vanderbilt Commodores

Game Preview: No. 11 Vanderbilt at No. 15 Tennessee, Game 1

One of college baseball's most intense rivalries kicks off this weekend with more than just bragging rights on the line.
Taylor Hodges|
Tennessee baseball head coach Tony Vitello disagrees with a call by the umpires during a NCAA baseball game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Florida Gators at Lindsey Nelson Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Friday, March 14, 2025.
Tennessee baseball head coach Tony Vitello disagrees with a call by the umpires during a NCAA baseball game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Florida Gators at Lindsey Nelson Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Friday, March 14, 2025. | Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Expect emotions to be running high this weekend at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Not only because Vanderbilt and Tennessee’s baseball rivalry has been one-sided in recent years.

Nor is it because Vanderbilt and Tennessee’s history dates back to 1897 and there’s bragging rights and its not because the series winner will be nearly guaranteed to host a NCAA Regional.

Nor is it because the Volunteers have lost their last three series and the Commodores are ranked higher. And it’s not because Tennessee is the reigning national champion.

It is all of those reasons. Imagine those emotions being thrown into a blender, mixed up and served the Commodores and Volunteers. Those emotions will show up eventually this weekend and knowing how Tennessee coach Tony Vitello can be, there’s guaranteed to be a viral video clip or two.

The rivalry series continues in its 128-year history Friday night, but don’t expect much offense. Both Vanderbilt and Tennessee are putting their ace pitchers on the mound.

The Commodores, who have had their fare share of struggles at the plate, will face the nation’s leader in strikeouts, Liam Doyle. JD Thompson, Vanderbilt’s starting pitcher for Friday, isn’t leading the nation in any categories, but he’s a big reason why the Commodores’ pitching staff ranks at the top of several other categories.

Here’s everything to know about the series-opening game between Vanderbilt and Tennessee:

Vanderbilt Commodores Starting Lineup

  1. Rustan Rigdon, 2B
  2. RJ Austin, CF
  3. Riley Nelson, 1B
  4. Brodie Johnston, 3B
  5. Braden Holcomb, LF
  6. Colin Barczi, C
  7. Jonathan Vastine, SS
  8. Jayden Davis, DH
  9. Jacob Humphrey, DH

Tennessee Volunteers Starting Lineup

  1. Gavin Kilen, SS
  2. Andrew Fischer, 1B
  3. Hunter Ensley, CF
  4. Dalton Bargo, LF
  5. Dean Curley, 2B
  6. Reese Chapman, RF
  7. Cannon Peebles, C
  8. Jay Abernathy, DH
  9. Manny Marin, 3B

Pitching Matchup

LHP JD Thompson (4-4, 3.95 ERA, 66 IP, 88 SO, 21 BB, 29 ER, .227 b/avg.) vs. LHP Liam Doyle (8-2, 2.39 ERA, 67.2 IP, 115 SO, 23 BB, 18 ER, .147 b/avg.)

Injury Report

Vanderbilt

Out

RHP Hudson Barton

Questionable

UTIL Jacob Humphrey

Tennessee

Out

INF Alberto Osuna

Weather Forecast

AccuWeather’s forecast calls for mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-70s at gametime. Winds are expected to be slight at 8 mph and gusts up to 17 mph.

How to Watch: No. 11 Vanderbilt at No. 15 Tennessee

Who: No. 11 Vanderbilt Commodores (34-15, 14-10 SEC) at No. 15 Tennessee Volunteers (38-11, 14-10 SEC)

When: 4:30 p.m., Friday; 4:30 p.m., Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday

Where: Lindsey Nelson Stadium, Knoxville, Tenn.

TV: SEC Network (Game 1) and ESPN2 (Games 2 and 3)

Radio: Live Radio

Stats: Live Stats

Vanderbilt Commodores On SI:

Published
Taylor Hodges
TAYLOR HODGES

Award-winning sports editor, writer, columnist, and photographer with 15 years’ experience offering his opinion and insight about the sports world in Mississippi and Texas, but he was taken to Razorback pep rallies at Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth before he could walk. Taylor has covered all levels of sports, from small high schools in the Mississippi Delta to NFL games. Follow Taylor on Twitter and Facebook.

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