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New York Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Tennessee's journey hasn't always been smooth, but Vols are feeling Super once again
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Dogpile? Forget it. Liam Doyle's fastball — consistently broaching triple digits — whizzed by Wake Forest's Javar Williams and ignited a party on the field Monday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium as he celebrated his fifth strikeout of the night. Kool & The Gang's 'Celebration' provided a fitting soundtrack for the moments after Tennessee clinched a Super Regional berth with an 11-5 win over Wake Forest in the decisive game of the Knoxville Regional. Advertisement But defending national champions don't dogpile after Regional victories. It's a privilege and a weight — that Tennessee has felt all season long. 'It was a headache going into the year and early parts of the fall. You've got commitments and requests and, even celebrations that maybe kind of interfere with what this group is trying to do,' Tennessee coach Tony Vitello said. But among the team, it was mostly unspoken — albeit explicitly spoken on a few occasions — that Tennessee's 2025 team couldn't be defined by or affected by what its 2024 team had done. Whether or not that's possible is up for debate. Reminders are everywhere. The silver and black plaque hanging behind home plate commemorates the program's sole national title, celebrated with a packed-out parade down Gay Street in Knoxville a year ago. Another orange, black and white insignia is plastered on the wall separating the field from the sold-out crowd of 6,198 at Monday night's victory. Another white logo is plastered on the left field wall. Pick a fan in the stands or on the concourse and there's a good chance they're wearing a shirt celebrating the program's finest moment, too. On April 5, the Vols looked determined to do it again. They were the nation's No. 1 team, 28-2 and eyeing another SEC title. 'We came out of the gate strong, probably you could argue a little bit too strong. I think some people outside of this room thought you can play this game and be invincible and roll up on people,' Vitello said. Instead, they finished the season 13-13 and lost six of their final seven series. Rival Vanderbilt eliminated them from the SEC Tournament with a run-rule victory. They needed a late win over NCAA Tournament No. 2 seed Texas in Hoover just to ensure the privilege of playing at home for the Regional. The celebration on the field at Lindsey Nelson Stadium after Monday's win looked anything but certain as the Vols' race for a repeat went off the rails in the second half of the season. Advertisement They ranked 155th nationally in fielding percentage and committed more errors than any team in the SEC. Only four power conference teams had more than the Vols, who advanced to play an Arkansas team that committed the fewest (32) in the SEC. 'These kids have made a bunch of mistakes all year long. Our fans should appreciate consistency and not expect dominance in any sport. I know it's an SEC school, so that's going to fall on deaf ears,' Vitello said. 'They make mistakes, but they work their butts off and there's a lot of passion.' It was evident throughout the game that they've established Vitello's standard of consistency in the absence of dominance. ANDREW FISCHER YOU ARE A TENNESSEE LEGEND — Kerry Williams (@kerrywilliams_) June 2, 2025 First baseman Andrew Fischer beat his chest rounding first base and galloped around third in front of Wake Forest's dugout after hitting a two-run home run that capped a seven-run third inning and put the Vols up 8-2. He tossed his helmet in the air as he bounded back into the dugout. Doyle, coming out of the bullpen for just the second time this season, rallied from a 2-0 hole for a strikeout to end the seventh inning and a scoring threat with the Vols nursing a shrinking 8-5 lead. He threw his head back to the sky and screamed. Tennessee has hosted a Regional four times in five years. Now, it has reached the Supers in five consecutive seasons with three College World Series berths and a national title. The lack of a dogpile and raucous celebration makes it clear Monday's win didn't mean everything, but it still meant a lot. Especially for players like Fischer and Doyle. Doyle might be the No. 1 pick in the MLB Draft later this summer. Last month, he showed up at No. 2 in prospect rankings from The Athletic's Keith Law. Advertisement But after closing out the game, Doyle secured the game ball and kept it in his pocket. He plans to give it to his mom. Most of the rest of the roster has been here before. Tennessee's biggest star hasn't. Last year's national title served as a siren song for big-time talents in the transfer portal, helping the Vols secure a package deal from conference rival Ole Miss in Fischer and Doyle. 'Me and Andrew took — I wouldn't say a risk — but a smart decision entering the transfer portal and coming to a spot where we knew we wanted to win. That's all it was about,' Doyle said. 'We wanted to come to a spot that has won in the past. They've done great here. I wanted the ball.' Doyle got it on Friday, dominating Miami (Ohio) with 104 pitches, allowing just four hits and one run with 11 strikeouts. 'We knew what we were walking into facing Mr. Doyle,' said Miami coach Brian Smiley We 🫶 Rocky Top — Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) June 3, 2025 Monday, Doyle halted Wake Forest's rally, turning off the offensive faucet and giving up no hits in 2 1/3 innings of work. When it was done, he flashed a heart with his hands above his head as the crowd celebrated. A few moments later, Vitello sprinted down the first-base line after a TV interview and found Doyle in the mass of humanity in right field, jumping on him and raining fake punches into his back to revel. 'That was fun and foolish. I'm sure someone won't like it on Twitter or whatever,' Vitello said. 'Kids should enjoy it. You hit a homer 450 feet, it's a new day and age. Maybe you look at it for a second. I had fun doing it. I love him.' Somehow, in barely over a month, the juggernaut reigning national champs with as much talent as any team in the country became something of an underdog story, now forced to go on the road to a conference rival in the Super Regional coached by one of Vitello's mentors, Dave Van Horn. The one-time best team in America finished tied for seventh in the SEC, a league that did little to validate its reputation on Regional weekend, with top-16 seeds Vanderbilt, Texas, Ole Miss and Georgia all being eliminated while the Vols play on. Whether or not Tennessee and its fans have to settle for consistency in pursuit of dominance, one thing is clear. The Vols are in the midst of one of the proudest stretches in program history. No one knows how long that might last. Ask South Carolina: It can change quickly. One of the sport's rising stars and compelling personalities looks uninterested in trading in his Power T hat for any other logo. Its expanding, under-construction stadium — The House That Vitello Built — is full. Advertisement 'Despite the struggles at certain times and other things, it's a group you want to be around,' said Vitello. Added Fischer: 'Not ready to go home yet.' These are the glory years. Tennessee is still fighting like crazy, trying not to waste one. (Photo of Reese Chapman and Levi Clark: Saul Young / USA Network via Imagn Images)
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Vols ace Liam Doyle breaks single-season strikeout record
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Tennessee pitcher Liam Doyle helped the Volunteers reach an NCAA Super Regional for the fifth consecutive season on Monday and wrote his name into the program history book in the process. The junior ace entered the decisive last game of the Knoxville Regional against Wake Forest in the seventh inning, recording five strikeouts over the final 2.1 innings to secure an 11-5 win and send Tennessee to a Super Regional showdown against Arkansas. Lady Vols' season ends in Women's College World Series semifinals to Texas Doyle now has struck out 158 batters in 2025. He now holds the program record for most strikeouts in a single-season, eclipsing Luke Hochevar's record of 154 set back in 2005. It marks another accolade in an impressive season for the Derry, New Hampshire native. He became the third player in school history be named SEC Pitcher of the Year and is one of 16 semifinalists for the College Baseball Foundation National Pitcher of the Year Award. CONTINUING COVERAGE; University of Tennessee Baseball With the Razorbacks holding the No. 3 national seed, Tennessee will hit the road for the Fayetteville Super Regional as they seek a third consecutive appearance in the College World Series. It would be Tennessee's eighth trip to Omaha in program history and the fourth under head coach Tony Vitello. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tennessee advances to Super Regional for 5th straight season
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Tennessee's national title defense continues as the Vols punched their ticket to the Fayetteville Super Regional with an 11-5 win over Wake Forest. Liam Doyle pitched the final 2.1 innings and recorded five strikeouts to set a new Tennessee single-season record with 155 K's. AJ Russell got the start after throwing 53 pitches just two days ago against Cincinnati. The junior allowed a double, but recorded a strikeout and two flyouts to escape the inning. In the bottom frame, Andrew Fischer drew a walk with one out, but Hunter Ensley grounded out into a double play to leave Fischer stranded. Lady Vols' season ends in Women's College World Series semifinals to Texas After a pair of strikeouts, Russell gave up a single, followed by a two-run shot into the Tennessee bullpen from Matt Conte. Brayden Krenzel replaced Russell on the mound after the home run. Krenzel forced a groundout to get out of the inning. Tennessee couldn't find an answer in the bottom of the second, going three up, three down. However, the Vols did find that answer in the third. Levi Clark started things off as he was hit by a pitch, Cannon Peebles drew a walk, and then Manny Marin singled to load the bases with no outs. Gavin Kilen grounded out into a double play, but Clark was able to run home to cut the deficit to 2-1. Krenzel pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the fourth with a pair of strikeouts. The Vols kept the offense going in the bottom of the fourth. Ensley drew a leadoff walk, Dean Curley followed suit with another walk, and then they both moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. Reese Chapman sent a single to second to score Ensley and tie the game, 2-2. NCAA responds to Zakai Zeigler lawsuit seeking to play another season on Rocky Top Wake Forest turned to its bullpen, but Tennessee's offense kept striking. Curley scored on a wild pitch as Tennessee took its first lead of the game. Marin blew things wide open with a three-run shot to give the Vols a 6-2 lead. It marked the freshman's third home run of the season, and his first since March 8. The lineup then reset and Kilen started things off with a single. Fischer mashed his 24th home run of the season over the right field wall to extend Tennessee's lead to 8-2 and cap off a seven-run fourth inning. The Demon Deacons pulled within four runs thanks to a two-run shot from Matt Scannell in the top of the fifth. That homer ended Krenzel's day as Dylan Loy took over on the mound. The Pigeon Forge native forced a groundout and picked up a strikeout to prevent any further damage. After allowing a double in the top of the sixth, Tanner Franklin replaced Loy on the mound. Wake Forest's Dalton Wentz then stole third and scored on an RBI single to cut Tennessee's lead to 8-5. Franklin recorded a pair of strikeouts to get out of the inning. CONTINUING COVERAGE: University of Tennessee Baseball With two outs in the seventh, Liam Doyle took over on the mound and recorded the final strikeout to end the inning. Tony Vitello said the lefty had 'been in his ear' to pitch right when Sunday's game wrapped up. Vitello gave Doyle the opportunity and he made the most of it. Tennessee extended its lead in the bottom of the seventh. A walk and a single put runners on the corners. Dean Curley sent a single up the middle to score both Ensley and Fischer to give the Vols a 10-5 advantage. Doyle added another pair of strikeouts in the eighth to give him 155 on the season, a new Tennessee single-season record. The lefty added two more in the top of the ninth. UP NEXT: Tennessee heads to Fayetteville, Arkansas to take on the Razorbacks in a Super Regional. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Liam Doyle by the numbers for Tennessee baseball in 2025 Knoxville Regional
Liam Doyle by the numbers for Tennessee baseball in 2025 Knoxville Regional No. 14 national seed Tennessee (46-17) advanced to a super regional in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. The Vols will face No. 3 national seed Arkansas (46-13) in the Fayetteville Super Regional. The Razorbacks won the Fayetteville Regional and did not lose in three contests. Tennessee won the Knoxville Regional on Monday, defeating No. 2 regional seed Wake Forest (39-22), 11-5, at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Left-handed pitcher Liam Doyle made his second appearance for the Vols in the Knoxville Regional on Monday. He pitched 2.1 innings and recorded five strikeouts versus Wake Forest. Doyle totaled 31 pitches, including 19 strikes, against seven batters. He did not allow a hit, run or walk against the Demon Deacons. Wake Forest hit two fly outs in his relief appearance. PHOTOS: Tennessee versus Miami baseball in Knoxville Regional Against Miami University in Game 1, Doyle pitched 6.2 innings and recorded 11 strikeouts. He totaled 104 pitches (69 strikes) against 26 batters. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound junior allowed four hits (two doubles), one run and three walks. He forced Miami into two fly outs, six ground outs and one double play. Doyle earned a win in Game 1 and a save in Game 7. Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Liam Doyle by the numbers against Miami in 2025 Knoxville Regional
Liam Doyle by the numbers against Miami in 2025 Knoxville Regional Left-handed pitcher Liam Doyle made his 17th appearance and 16th start during the 2025 season for Tennessee on Friday. No. 14 national seed Tennessee (44-16) defeated No. 4 regional seed Miami University (35-22), 9-2, to open play in the NCAA Tournament Knoxville Regional at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Doyle (10-3) pitched 6.2 innings and recorded 11 strikeouts versus the Redhawks. He totaled 104 pitches, including 69 strikes, against 26 batters. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound junior allowed four hits (two doubles), one run and three walks. He forced Miami into two fly outs, six ground outs and one double play. "It was huge," Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello said of Doyle's pitching performance to open the Knoxville Regional. "It is a tournament. I mean, it's really a fresh start to the whole deal. There's a lot of information from the games we played prior, but none of them really matter. It is about tonight, or at least was, but you do have a tournament, again, you're in the middle of. "For him to do that, not only, I'm sure he feels good about, and it helped capitalize on the runs we were scoring in the middle of the game, but put us in a good position with our bullpen." More: 2025 Knoxville Regional baseball schedule, game times Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
