CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Rain put an end to Tennessee baseball’s Fall World Series opener on Wednesday night. 

Despite the pouring rain and cancelled game, head coach Tony Vitello remained on the field for over 45 minutes as fans lined up for their chance to meet the 2024 national champions. The line stretched from the dugout to the second row of AT&T Field, home of the Chattanooga Lookouts. 

LIVE UPDATES: Tennessee baseball opens Fall World Series: Box score, play-by-play, live updates from Chattanooga

Getting autographs and pictures with Vitello was the highlight of a short night in Chattanooga. Rain cancelled the already delayed scrimmage in the bottom of the second inning. Orange held a 1-0 lead to that point with lots of game left to play. 

As for the play on the field, it was largely a pitcher’s duel before the game was called due to weather. Ole Miss transfer Liam Doyle continued to showcase why he has a chance to ace the Vols’ talented pitching staff. 

The lefty worked two innings while striking out five and tossing 27 pitches — 23 of which crossed as strikes. His counterpart Nate Snead worked 1.1 innings with four strikeouts while tossing 21 pitches — 15 of which crossed as strikes. 

Snead did give up the lone run of the night to freshman Levi Clark. The utility man launched a ball to right-center field, getting it up into the wind and out of the Double-A home of the Chattanooga Lookouts.  

Vitello continues to learn more about the new-look roster the Vols will roll out for the 2025 season. It will be a quest to defend the College World Series title, but it will happen with lots of new faces for Tennessee. 

Doyle is one of those new faces expected to make a considerable impact. As fall practice wraps up, Clark can solidify himself as another new contributor as well. The scrimmage in Chattanooga was expected to give another test for those newcomers, but rain ended the opportunity. 

The Vols will head to nearby Kodak on Friday to conclude the Fall World Series in Smokies Stadium. It will also be the final baseball game played in the current Smokies Stadium