Vanderbilt Commodores

Live Blog: Vanderbilt, Tennessee resume play after weather delay

Follow along here for live updates, reactions and analysis of Sunday's series finale game between the Vanderbilt Commodores and Tennessee Volunteers.
Taylor Hodges|
Vanderbilt's Brodie Johnston (9) throws to second base during a college baseball game between Tennessee and Vanderbilt at Lindsey Nelson Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on May 9, 2025.
Vanderbilt's Brodie Johnston (9) throws to second base during a college baseball game between Tennessee and Vanderbilt at Lindsey Nelson Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on May 9, 2025. | Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

NOTE: The game is airing on ESPNNews after the weather delay.

Well, here we go folks. This may be the most impactful game left for No. 11 Vanderbilt on its schedule and a lot of good things can happen if the Commodores win. But No. 15 Tennessee can say the same thing.

Vanderbilt could move into the national top 8 rankings with a win and would certainly host a NCAA Regional. Also, if the Commodores win and No. 23 beats No. 6 Georgia, Vanderbilt, Georgia and Auburn will be tied for fourth in the SEC standings at 16-11 (reminder: top four teams in standings get two byes in the SEC Tournament).

A Tennessee win keeps the Volunteers in position to host one, too. The Volunteers also have a much tougher final SEC opponent (Arkansas) next weekend than what Vanderbilt is right now (sorry, but the Commodores were swept by Arkansas at home) and a loss would give them four-straight SEC series losses.

All of which sounds good to Vanderbilt and its fans. Follow along below for updates, reactions and analysis of Sunday's series finale game:

FINAL: Vanderbilt 7, Tennessee 5

(Most recent updates at the top.)

9th Inning

B9: Vanderbilt doesn't make a pitching change to start the inning for the first time in five innings, leaving McElvain on the mound.

The Volunteers get a leadoff single, pop out and another single that brought the winning run to the plate. Blake Grimmer hits a long fly ball that RJ Austin catches at the warning track, for the second out. Levi Clark draws a walk to load the bases, bringing Cannon Peeples up to bat. (McElvain remains in the game with Sawyer Hawks ready in the bullpen).

Three pitches, three strikeouts and McElvain ends the game. And of course there's some post-game "conversations" between the two teams. Vanderbilt 7, Vanderbilt 5

T9: Vanderbilt needed some insurance runs and got one from Mike Mancini (even if he had to do a little timeout, step out trickery). Tennessee has its last chance to come back. Vanderbilt 7, Tennessee 5

8th Inning

B8: McElvain does his job, getting two (very deep) fly balls and a strikeout to send the game into the final inning. Vanderbilt 6, Tennessee 5

T8: Other than Jonathan Vastine's home run, Vanderbilt hasn't done much since the weather delay. Three up, three down in the eigth inning and Ethan McElvain is coming in to pitch for Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt 6, Tennessee 5

7th Inning

B7: Vanderbilt starts the inning bringing Miller Green in to pitch. He gives up a leadoff single (that advances to second a passed ball), but gets a pair of ground outs and a (deep) fly ball to end the scoring threat. Commodores are six outs away from a big win, but could use some more runs. Vanderbilt 6, Tennessee 5

T7: RJ Austin draws a two-out walk, but doesn't make a real attempt to steal second and we're headed to the bottom half of the inning. Vanderbilt 6, Tennessee 5

6th Inning

B6: Vanderbilt's defense makes a pair of great defensive plays for the first two outs and then Gavin Kilen is hit by a pitch before Andrew Fischer hits his second home of the game to cut the deficit to one run. Vanderbilt 6, Tennessee 5

T6, 2 outs: We're back in action after an hour-long weather delay. Vanderbilt leads 5-3. You can scroll down below to recap how we got to this point. It'll be interesting to see how both teams respond...

...or not? There's currently a conference going on currently on the field.

We are now, officially, back underway and Jonathan Vastine hits a home run on the third pitch he sees. Vanderbilt 6, Tennessee 3

6th Inning, Pre-Weather Delay

T6: Braden Holcomb comes close to putting Vanderbilt ahead, but instead gets a two-out triple off the right field wall. Colin Barczi shows Holcomb how to put the ball over the right field wall in the next at-bat, putting Vanderbilt ahead 5-3.

Tennessee went to make a pitching change and then the game entered a lighting delay. Looking at the weather radar, there are some big storms in the Knoxville area and Vanderbilt has to be happy it took the lead when it did. I'll post updates as they become available.

5th Inning

B5: Vanderbilt brings in a new pitcher and this is the trend I would expect Vanderbilt to follow (a new pitcher each inning). This series is that important and, in fact, don't be surprised if some pitchers don't stay in for a full inning.

Levi Huesman (3.37 ERA) proves my point. He gives up three hits, one run and two (somewhat) lucky outs before he's replaced by Luke Guth, who throws two pitches to get a ground ball out. Vanderbilt 3, Tennessee 3

T5: Vanderbilt gets its second stolen base of the game after Mike Mancini reached on a one-out walk. Mancini then scores from second on Rustan Rigdon's groundball hit got through to left field. Rigdon would get caught stealing second and RJ Austin strikes out on a pitch in the dirt to end the inning.

The Vols are being more aggressive in trying to limit the Commodores' base stealing, to some success. They've made some errors, but they've thrown out two runners at second. I don't think that should impact their aggressiveness on the base paths. Vanderbilt 3, Tennessee 2

4th Inning

B4: Vanderbilt goes to the bullpen and brings in England Bryan, who gives up a single down the right field line on his first pitch and hits another batter with a fastball, but doesn't allow any runs.

I think the Commodores have the advantage at this point, with both teams turning to their bullpens. Vanderbilt 2, Tennessee 2

T4: Tegan Kuhns gets two outs in three pitches and his day is done. Brayden Krenzel (2-0, 3.63 ERA) enters the game for Tennessee.

Colin Barczi hits Krenzel's second pitch right back at him for a base hit, but gets thrown out at second to end the inning (on a fantastic defensive play). Vanderbilt 2, Tennessee 2

3rd Inning

B3: Connor Fennell got the first two outs of the inning in five pitches, but gave up a full count walk and then a full-count single putting runners at the corners. But forces a fly out to end the inning. Vanderbilt 2, Tennessee2

T3: RJ Austin gets a two-out single and we already know what his plans are. On the fourth pickoff attempt, Kuhns's throw was off-target and Austin advances to second. Riley Nelson gets on base with a walk but is thrown out on a double-steal attempt at second base, ending the inning.

Unfortunate that Nelson was called out, but that's the risk of this strategy and good call. Tennessee has multiple errors on pickoffs and the throw to second could've easily ended up in the outfield and the Commodores have the lead. Vanderbilt 2, Tennessee 2

2nd Inning

B2: David Mendez has replaced Jacob Humphrey in right field after Humphrey struck out in the last half inning.

Tennessee is able to tie the game on a sacrifice fly and get another runner to third base on a wild pitch, but is left stranded there. Vanderbilt 2, Tennessee 2

T2: Colin Barczi was in the middle of the post-home run interactions last inning and sends the first pitch he sees in his at-bat to the same spot over the outfield wall. It's the only hit of the inning for Vanderbilt, but gives them runs in each of the first two innings. Vanderbilt 2, Tennessee 1

1st Inning

B1: I want to make a prediction. Vols' coach Tony Vitello will get thrown out arguing about Connor Fennell's pace. The leadoff batter Gavin Kilen already complained once and the home plate umpire jumped out to warn about eye contact. Based on what happened after Andrew Fischer's moon shot of a home run in the second at-bat, that prediction may apply to Vanderbilt too.

The emotions are showing after that home run. Both coaches had long, emotional talks with umpires and warnings issued to both benches. Get ready for a fun game. Vanderbilt 1, Tennessee 1

T1: Vanderbilt stole eight bases yesterday and, if the Commodores get on base, they'll run some more today. Tennessee knows this and it showed when RJ Austin got on base in the first inning. Tegan Kuhns made an error on a pickoff throw and did his best to keep Austin at second, but it was a pointless effort. Everyone knew Austin would go for third and he did...and the Volunteers commit another error on the throw to third, allowing Austin to score. Vanderbilt 1, Tennessee 0

Pregame

First off, happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there, especially my own who's cool enough to allow me to spend the afternoon with you fine folks. Also, we both hate large crowds and its the busiest day of the year for restaurants. So, we'll be going for dinner later this week.

We do have some baseball coming up in a little bit and this is an exciting game. There's the rivalry aspect, of course, but it's been another crazy weekend in the SEC and I'm excited to see how it all plays out. This one may be the most impactful...unless Missouri sweeps Texas A&M, but that'll be impactful for different reasons (like the Aggies' NCAA Tournament hopes fading away faster than a one-hit wonder).

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. Jacob Humphrey, RF
  9. Mike Mancini, DH

Tennessee Volunteers Starting Lineup

  1. Gavin Kilen, SS
  2. Andrew Fischer, 1B
  3. Hunter Ensley, CF
  4. Dalton Bargo, 3B
  5. Dean Curley, SS
  6. Blake Grimmer, DH
  7. Levi Clark, LF
  8. Cannon Peebles, C
  9. Chris Newstrom, RF

Pitching Matchup

RHP Connor Fennell (5-0, 3.20 ERA, 39.1 IP, 72 SO, 9 BB, 14 ER, .176 b/avg.) vs. RHP Tegan Kuhns (2-2, 3.94 ERA, 29.2 IP, 31 SO, 12 BB, 13 ER, .267 b/avg.)

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

TV: ESPN2

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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