BSB PREVIEW: #12/17 Vols Host In-State Bruins on Senior Night
Courtesy / UT Athletics

BSB PREVIEW: #12/17 Vols Host In-State Bruins on Senior Night

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 12/17 Tennessee hosts its final midweek contest of the season, welcoming Belmont to Lindsey Nelson Stadium for Senior Night on Tuesday at 5 p.m.

Tuesday will mark UT’s fourth straight game against an in-state foe and seventh overall this season. Entering the game, the Vols are 3-3 against fellow teams from the Volunteer State this season, including 2-1 in midweeks.  
 

IMPORTANT GAMEDAY INFO & REMINDERS

Lindsey Nelson Stadium is undergoing extensive renovations that will make it one of the best college baseball stadiums in the nation upon completion. Renovations will be ongoing throughout the season, so be sure to be on the lookout for updated information throughout the course of the year when it comes to seating, stadium entry, parking, etc.

Fans are encouraged to check the Tennessee Baseball Gameday Central page prior to each game for the most updated info in regards to parking, stadium policies, stadium entry points and more.
 

TICKET INFORMATION

Limited single-game tickets for non-conference home games can be purchased through AllVols.com. Single-game tickets for all games can also be purchased through Ticketmaster, the exclusive resale marketplace for Tennessee Athletics, by clicking HERE.

In order to keep Lindsey Nelson Stadium as full as possible, we are encouraging season ticket holders who are unable to use their tickets for a game(s) to transfer your tickets to another Vols fan (Instructions HERE).

If you’re a season ticket holder and can’t make it to a baseball game this season, you also now have the option to donate your tickets. Your tickets will be donated back to Tennessee Athletics and will be distributed to the military and/or local charities in the Knoxville area.

All ticket donations will be accepted until 5 PM the business day before a game. After donating your tickets a gift receipt equal to the ticket value will be emailed to you. You may save that receipt for your tax records. 
 

BROADCAST INFO

Andy Brock (PxP) will have the call for Tuesday’s game on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app.

Fans can also listen to the Voice of Tennessee Baseball John Wilkerson and Vince Ferrara call the action for the Vol Network (FM 99.1/AM 990) as well as via a free audio stream on UTSports.com, the Tennessee Athletics Mobile App and the Varsity App.  
 

SERIES HISTORY

Vols vs. Bruins
Overall: Tennessee leads, 15-4
in Knoxville: Tennessee leads, 14-4
in Nashville: Tennessee leads, 1-0
at Neutral Sites: N/A
Last Meeting: W, 10-0, May 14, 2024 (Knoxville, Tenn.)

Tuesday’s contest marks the fifth consecutive year in which the Vols have faced the Bruins in their final non-conference game of the regular season. UT owns a 15-4 series advantage and has defeated Belmont in each of the previous 10 meetings, while nearly quadrupling the in-state foe in runs during that span, 93-25.
 

NOTABLE

Senior Night for Ensley
Prior to Tuesday’s game, Tennessee will honor Hunter Ensley on Senior Night before he plays in his final regular-season game at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Ensley will conclude his career as one of the most beloved players in program history. An undisputed team leader, Ensley has saved his best for the biggest moments, helping lead the volunteers to four combined sec titles as well as three trips to the men’s college world series and, most importantly, the program’s first national championship in 2024.

The Huntingdon, Tennessee, native’s acrobatic slide in game three of the college world series finals proved to be the game-winning run. For his career, Ensley has played in 192 games and made 161 starts, belting 28 home runs while driving in 137 runs. He also boasts a .308 career batting average with 189 hits and 125 runs scored while proving to be one of the nation’s best center fielders.

Vols Looking to Cap Season with Another Strong Midweek Record
Tennessee enters Tuesday’s contest with an 13-1 record in midweek games this season, with seven of those 13 victories coming by double digits. Throughout head coach Tony Vitello‘s tenure (2018-pres.), the Vols are an impressive 76-11 overall in midweek games.

Doyle’s Dominance Continues
Liam Doyle is having an All-American caliber junior season for the Vols and has arguably been the most dominant starting pitcher in the country through 13 weeks. Doyle boasts a 9-2 record and a 2.17 ERA in his 14 appearances (13 starts) while leading the country in strikeouts (127) and strikeouts per nine innings (15.31). The junior lefty threw another gem in last Friday’s series-opening win over No. 10/11 Vanderbilt, tossing seven shutout innings with 12 strikeouts to improve to 9-2 on the year.

Doyle has posted six double-digit strikeout performances this season, including three in SEC play, and is closing in on Luke Hochevar’s single-season program record of 154 strikeouts.
 

OPPONENT SCOUT

Belmont Bruins (24-28 | 13-11 MVC)

  • 2024 Record: 26-32 (12-15 MVC)
  • 2024 Postseason: N/A
  • 2025 MVC Preseason Poll: t-8th
  • Highest Ranking: N/A
  • Head Coach: Dave Jarvis
    • Overall Record: 787-738 (28th year)
    • Record at Belmont: Same
  • Preseason All-Conference Selections (N/A)
     

ON DECK

The Vols hit the road to conclude their regular-season slate as they travel to Fayetteville to take on #5/8 Arkansas for a Thursday-Saturday series. Game one is set for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2.