Latest news with #AJRussell
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Tennessee baseball announces starting pitcher against Wake Forest for Game 7
Tennessee baseball announces starting pitcher against Wake Forest for Game 7 No. 14 national seed Tennessee (45-17) will face No. 2 regional seed Wake Forest (39-21) on Monday in a deciding Game 7 of the NCAA Tournament Knoxville Regional. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. EDT at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. ESPN2 will televise the matchup with Mike Monaco (play-by-play) and Kyle Peterson (analyst) on the call. The winner between the Vols and Demon Deacons will advance to a super regional at No. 3 national seed Arkansas (46-13). The Razorbacks won the Fayetteville Regional and did not lose in three contests. Ahead of Monday's deciding Game 7 between Tennessee and Wake Forest in the Knoxville Regional, the Vols announced their starting pitcher. AJ Russell (2-1) will start for the Vols. More: Where does AJ Russell rank in top 150 prospects for 2025 MLB draft? Wake Forest defeated Tennessee, 7-6, on Sunday to force a deciding Game 7 at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. The Demon Deacons won two contests Sunday to avoid elimination. The Demon Deacons were victorious, 10-3, over No. 3 regional seed Cincinnati (33-26) in their first game Sunday. Former Tennessee pitcher Matthew Dallas (5-1) started for Wake Forest against Cincinnati and pitched 7.2 innings, totaling four strikeouts and 115 pitches, including 74 strikes, against 32 batters. Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tennessee eliminates Alabama baseball in SEC Tournament second round
The second round of the 2025 SEC baseball tournament started Wednesday at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, Alabama. The first contest in the second round was between No. 8 seed Tennessee (42-15) and No. 9 seed Alabama (41-16). The Vols eliminated Alabama, 15-10. Advertisement Marcus Phillips started for Tennessee its second-round matchup against the Crimson Tide. He pitched four innings and recorded five strikeouts. The 6-foot-4, 246-pound right-handed pitcher totaled 72 pitches, including 43 strikes, against 17 batters. Phillips allowed four hits, four runs (one earned) and two walks. Brandon Arvidson relieved Phillips and pitched 0.1 innings. He totaled five pitches (three strikes) against one batter. AJ Russell (2-1) was the Vols' third pitcher in the contest and earned a win. In 3.2 innings of relief, he totaled five strikeouts and 78 pitches (53 strikes) against 17 batters. Brayden Krenzel closed the game for the Vols in the ninth inning. Tennessee's offense produced 20 hits. Center fielder Hunter Ensley, designated hitter Levi Clark and third baseman Manny Marin hit one double each for the Vols. Reese Chapman hit Tennessee's only home run in the contest during the eighth inning. Advertisement More: Breaking down Vols' regular-season baseball resume Tennessee will next play No. 1 seed Texas on Thursday in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals. Tennessee is playing for its third SEC Tournament championship in the past four years. The Vols have won the SEC baseball tournament five times in program history: 1993, 1994, 1995, 2022 and 2024. Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Vols defeat Alabama baseball, advances to SEC Tournament quarterfinals
USA Today
16-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Where does AJ Russell rank in top 150 prospects for 2025 MLB draft?
Where does AJ Russell rank in top 150 prospects for 2025 MLB draft? One week remains in the 2025 SEC baseball regular season. Ahead of the SEC Tournament in Hoover, Alabama, MLB released its list of the top 150 prospects for the 2025 MLB draft. Among the prospects, Tennessee right-handed pitcher AJ Russell ranks No. 55 overall. He ranks No. 11 among right-handed pitchers on the list. "Russell has a unicorn fastball that could grade as a true 80 offering if he adds more velocity," his scouting profile says. "It sits at 92-94 mph and tops out at 98 with the best heater metrics in the Draft thanks to an exceptionally low release point, wide angle, significant armside run and carry up in the zone." Russell was a bullpen fixture as a freshman in 2023. He pitched 30.1 innings and totaled 47 strikeouts, while allowing nine hits, four runs and seven walks. Russell appeared in six games in 2024 and underwent Tommy John surgery at the conclusion of the season. He pitched 14.1 innings, recording 21 strikeouts and allowed 12 hits, eight runs and eight walks. His first appearance after surgery this season was against North Alabama on Feb. 25. In eight appearances, Russell has pitched 15 innings and struck out 20 batters, while allowing 12 hits, six runs and seven walks. Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
USA Today
20-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Five players listed on injury report for Tennessee-Alabama baseball series
Five players listed on injury report for Tennessee-Alabama baseball series No. 1 Tennessee (20-1, 3-0 SEC) will play its second Southeastern Conference baseball series in 2025. No. 12 Alabama (21-1, 3-0 SEC) will host the Vols, Thursday-Saturday, for a three-game series at Sewell–Thomas Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Rankings reflect the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll. Thursday's series opener is slated for 7:30 p.m. EDT and will be televised by ESPNU. Game No. 2 on Friday is scheduled for 7 p.m. EDT, while Saturday's series finale will take place at 2 p.m. EDT. The final two games in the series can be watched on SEC Network+. Beginning with the 2024-25 athletics calendar, Southeastern Conference schools will provide public reports on availability of student-athletes to participate in each conference game in football, men's basketball, women's basketball and baseball. Below is a student-athlete availability report for the Tennessee-Alabama baseball series. Tennessee versus Alabama baseball series injury report Right-handed pitcher AJ Russell and infielder Alberto Osuna are listed as out for Tennessee. Infielder Gavin Kilen is also listed as questionable for the Vols. Infielder Garrett Staton is questionable and right-handed pitcher JT Blackwood is probable for Alabama.
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Why isn't AJ Russell pitching for Tennessee baseball? Tony Vitello updates pitcher's status
AJ Russell might not pitch again for Tennessee baseballl until April, Vols coach Tony Vitello said Sunday. Russell made his debut for the Vols on Feb. 25 after returning from Tommy John surgery. He has not pitched since, but it is not due to any setbacks or health concerns. 'I think it is kind of take a deep breath, recalibrate mode and kind of start a new throwing program to prepare him more to be a starter opposed to he came in the other day and just got three outs,' Vitello said. Russell struck out three batters against North Alabama in his first outing since undergoing elbow surgery in June following an injury-plagued sophomore season. Vitello said Russell made such dramatic progress in his return, which allowed him to get back on the mound quickly. But the Vols and 'all parties involved' decided to pump the brakes on his ascension into a key role on Tennessee's pitching staff. RETURN: Inside AJ Russell's return to Tennessee baseball against North Alabama "Let's take a deep breath and look out for the long run of what we are trying to do with our season and his career combined," Vitello said. This story will be updated. Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at and follow him on X @ByMikeWilson or Bluesky @ If you enjoy Mike's coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: AJ Russell: Tony Vitello updates Tennessee pitcher's status
