Game Preview: No. 11 Vanderbilt at No. 15 Tennessee, Game 2
The outcome of Friday’s series-opening game between No. 11 Vanderbilt and No. 15 Tennessee shouldn’t have been too surprising.
The Commodores struggled to do anything at the plate against Tennessee’s Liam Doyle, who leads the nation in strikeouts and is one of the best MLB draft prospects. Vanderbilt’s starting pitcher, JD Thompson, didn’t reach double-digit strikeouts for the first time in three outings and had to work his way out of a couple jams. But he left the game with Vanderbilt still having a chance to win.
Once Doyle left the game before the start of the eighth, the Commodores’ offense came to life, getting three hits and scoring two runs including a solo home run by Brodie Johnston. But it was too little, too late.
💣 No. 11 on the year for the freshman! pic.twitter.com/oowSzKVyhK
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) May 10, 2025
If you’ve been following Vanderbilt this season, you’ll recognize that story pattern because that’s the team the Commodores are. They have their moments, but they’re not very good, especially against top tier pitchers. Vanderbilt has to rely on its pitching and fielding (both of which are great) and hope its offense can get enough runners on base to do something.
That was the case Friday and it’ll be the case again Saturday. Tennessee’s projected starter may not put up stat lines like Doyle’s, but Marcus Phillips is a good pitcher. Two weeks ago, in Baton Rouge, Phillips held LSU to just three hits and two runs while striking out six in 6.2 innings of work.
Saturday would be a good time for Vanderbilt’s offense to have one of their moments.
Here’s everything to know about Saturday’s game between the Commodores and Volunteers.
Vanderbilt Commodores Starting Lineup
- Rustan Rigdon, 2B
- RJ Austin, CF
- Riley Nelson, 1B
- Brodie Johnston, 3B
- Braden Holcomb, LF
- Mac Rose, C
- Jonathan Vastine, SS
- Jacob Humphrey, RF
- Mike Mancini, DH
Tennessee Volunteers Starting Lineup
- Gavin Kilen, SS
- Andrew Fischer, 1B
- Hunter Ensley, CF
- Dalton Bargo, LF
- Dean Curley, 2B
- Reese Chapman, RF
- Manny Marin, 3B
- Cannon Peebles, C
- Chris Newstrom, DH
Pitching Matchup
RHP Cody Bowker (2-4, 4.50 ERA, 54 IP, 73 SO, 24 BB, 27 ER, .216 b/avg.) vs. RHP Marcus Phillips (3-3, 3.02 ERA, 59.2 IP, 72 SO, 23 BB, 20 ER, .211 b/avg.)
Injury Report
Vanderbilt
Out
RHP Hudson Barton
Tennessee
Out
INF Alberto Osuna
Weather Forecast
This series may be one of the only SEC series this weekend not to be impacted the storms yesterday or today. There’s a chance for some rain showers early Saturday and later at night, but the game should be dry. Expect cloudy skies, though, and temperatures in the low 70s. Winds will be minimal at only seven mph and gusts up to nine.
How to Watch: No. 11 Vanderbilt at No. 15 Tennessee
Who: No. 11 Vanderbilt Commodores (34-16, 14-11 SEC) at No. 15 Tennessee Volunteers (39-11, 15-10 SEC)
When: 4 p.m., Saturday
Where: Lindsey Nelson Stadium, Knoxville, Tenn.
TV: ESPN2
Radio: Live Radio
Stats: Live Stats
Vanderbilt Commodores On SI:
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.