Looking Ahead To Tennessee’s Weekend Series Vs. Texas A&M
Image: Kyndall Williams/Tennessee Athletics
By Garrett Armbrust
The Vols are back in Knoxville this weekend for a CWS rematch against Texas A&M.
If you would’ve told anybody on opening day that the Aggies would be one of worst teams in the SEC nobody would’ve believed you.
Nevertheless, here we are hosting the 14-14 (1-8 SEC) 2024 national runner up.
Last weekend the Vols completed their fifth sweep of the year taking all 3 games in Columbia against South Carolina.
This past weekend’s series was more competitive, however, than previous ones.
Game one the Vols rode some hot bats and 11 Ks from ace Liam Doyle to get the win even after the Gamecocks scored some late runs to close the gap.
Game two was a back-and-forth game the whole time, until Cannon Peebles called game hitting a homerun in the top of the ninth to give the Vols the lead.
Game three was another solid outing by Tegan Kuhns to finish off the series. After the series the Vols now sit at 27-2 (8-1 SEC).
On the other side of the diamond the Aggies lost two out of three to Kentucky in College Station. On the bright side they did pick up their first SEC win of the season on Friday night.
While pitching has not been the reason for their disastrous start this season, they did give up 31 runs to the Wildcats throughout the weekend.
For this weekend’s series you can expect Liam Doyle vs. Ryan Prager on the bump Friday.
Prager has been the Aggies’ Friday night starter the first three weeks of SEC play. He comes in with an ERA of 3.35, 2-1 record, and 38 strikeouts this season.
Saturday night the Vols will likely once again send out Marcus Phillips who has continued his solid season.
Justin Lamkin will be the projected game two starter for Texas A&M as he has been so far for all of SEC play. Lamkin currently boasts a 3.76 ERA, 1-3 record, and 49 strikeouts on the season.
To close out the series Sunday, Tony V will probably send out Tegan Kuhns again as he has every game three in SEC play.
Michael Earley will almost certainly send out Myles Patton to pitch Sunday as he has every game three through SEC play. Patton is a Long Beach State transfer who carries a 3.82 ERA, 2-3 record, and 40ks with him this season.
While the Aggies hitting has been less than desired this season there are still several batters the Vols will need to keep their eyes on.
Terrence Kiell II is A&M’s number one get on base guy. While he doesn’t hit for power, he bats .362 on the season.
Jace LaViolette is also starting to come around as his average has climbed to .296 with 9 HRs. Wyatt Hensler, who bats .323, and Kaeden Kent, who bats .250, also have lots of power through the order.
A&M will have a tough task facing the relentless Vols lineup.
Andrew Fischer has extended his on base streak to 29 games. That’s every game this year. Dean Curley has continued his job being one of the best leadoff hitters in the nation batting .309.
Hunter Ensley, Dalton Bargo, and Reece Chapman have all continued to bring their hot bats to the front and middle of the order, all batting over .315 on the season.
If UT can get the Aggies starters bounced, they can get to an inconsistent bullpen where 7 A&M relievers have over a 4.00 ERA.
It will be a great atmosphere this weekend in Knoxville. If the BaseVols continue their hot play, we could possibly be looking at another weekend bringing out the brooms.