Tennessee baseball defeated Florida in its SEC opener, securing game one, 5-3.
The first ranked matchup for the No. 2 Vols (18-0, 1-0 SEC) this season did not disappoint, taking down the No. 6 Gators (16- 3, 0-1). Strong pitching down the final stretch made the difference, with Tennessee getting the better of Florida in game one.
Liam duel headlines matchup
Two of the biggest names in college baseball faced off on the mound on Friday night. Tennessee’s Liam Doyle against Florida’s Liam Peterson was a marquee matchup, with neither pitcher giving up much ground to their opponents.
Doyle got the better of the matchup, logging 4.2 innings of work for Tennessee and throwing 105 pitches for the Vols. He gave up three hits and two walks against the Gators. He also logged six strikeouts for the Vols.
Although he had a solid outing, Florida had great at-bats, getting just a piece of many of the left-hander’s pitches.
Peterson had a solid outing for Florida, logging four innings. However, he allowed six hits and three runs to Tennessee. He walked three Tennessee batters, striking out eight in the process. He exited the game after giving up three hits and a walk to the Vols in the fifth frame.
“It was good,” head coach Tony Vitello said. “Both Liam’s certainly show you what it’s like to see an SEC Friday starter. They gave you a glimpse into the future here, the big leagues for both of those guys.”
Slow start for both teams
Neither team could find offense early in the game. Heading into the fifth inning, the game was tied 1-1. The Vols were struck out eight times by Peterson but managed three hits and two walks.
Florida had the same struggles, matching the Vols’ three-hit tally. Doyle struck out five batters and walked two more through four innings of play.
Unable to get insurance
With the score tied at one, the Vols were able to find some life on offense. Hunter Ensley hit a double with the bases loaded to push the lead to 3-1. Gavin Kilen also helped out, racing home after a wild pitch by Florida’s Luke McNeillie.
In total, the Vols tacked on three runs in the bottom of the fifth, logging three hits and three walks. Tennessee led 4-1 as the frame finished, getting much-needed life at the plate.
“Peterson was throwing great all night,” Ensley said. “He was getting me with the fastballs. Great pitcher, so my approach there was hands out on top of the fastball.”
However, that three-run lead would be short-lived.
The Gators quickly found a rhythm, blasting four straight singles to lead off the sixth inning. After Florida cashed in two runs with no outs, they went silent. Tanner Franklin and Dylan Loy started off the inning, but Nate Snead got the Vols out of the jam. He allowed no other runs in the top of the sixth, ending the frame with a 4-3 lead.
Snead finishes the job for the Vols
Snead came into the game with the bases loaded for Florida and one out. With all eyes on him, he broke the Gators’ spirits, forcing a groundout that turned into a controversial double play.
The right-handed arm was efficient in his 3.2 innings, tossing just 37 total pitches in his appearance. He earned the save for the Vols, allowing just two hits and striking out four Gators in the process.
“Ground ball is the goal there,” Snead said. “I just hunted it out, trying to strand those guys there. Florida’s really good competition, especially under coach Sullivan, but honestly we’re just going to go out and compete.”
Up next
Game two of the series will come at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday afternoon. The matchup was originally slated for 6 p.m. ET, but inclement weather will impact the start time.
