The reigning national champion Tennessee Volunteers opened their 2025 season with a bang by routing Hofstra, 15-0, in front of an Opening Day crowd of 6,212 at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Eight different UT players drove in runs on the day, led by multi-RBI efforts from
Dean Curley (two),
Stone Lawless (two),
Ariel Antigua (two) and
Hunter High (three).
High's pinch-hit three-run homer, the first of his career, capped a seven-run sixth inning for the Big Orange.
Curley's two-run blast into the porches in left center was the first of three Tennessee long balls on the day as the Big Orange cruised to a run-rule win.
Cannon Peebles had a great all-around day at the plate, as well, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI from the designated hitter spot.
With the win, the No. 2/4 Vols improved to 78-36-2 all-time in season openers and 4-1 in home season openers under head coach
Tony Vitello.
A handful of players put up impressive performances in their Tennessee debuts, headlined by a masterful outing on the mound from junior lefthander Liam Doyle. The Ole Miss transfer set a new career high with 11 strikeouts and allowed just one hit over five shutout innings to earn the win.
After getting a groundout to start the game, Doyle retired the next eight batters he faced via strikeout before giving up the Pride's only hit of the game. Doyle ended up facing the minimum through five innings after the runner was thrown out at second on the play after recording the single.
Fellow Ole Miss transfer
Andrew Fischer also put his stamp on the game by drawing two walks, scoring a pair of runs and hitting a solo homer in the third inning. Louisville transfer
Gavin Kilen finished the game 2-for-3 with a double and a triple while scoring two runs, as well.
Redshirt freshman
Stone Lawless got the start behind the dish and drove in a pair of runs with a double in UT's seven-run sixth inning. Freshman infielder
Manny Marin got the starting nod at third base and recorded two hits of his own in his first collegiate contest.
Rounding out the group of productive debuts was junior right hander
Tanner Franklin, who stuck out four over the final two innings and did not allow a hit.
Tennessee and Hofstra will square off again on Saturday in game two of the weekend series. First pitch, which was originally scheduled for 4 p.m., has been moved up to 2 p.m. due to inclement weather in the forecast. Sunday's series finale has also been moved up an hour and is now slated to begin at 11 a.m.