#4 Tennessee Volunteers Score 11 Unanswered Runs to Cap Off Weekend Sweep Over Samford Bulldogs
The University of Tennessee Volunteers baseball team extended its early-season dominance with a decisive 11-unanswered-run performance to complete a weekend sweep over the Samford Bulldogs at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. With this win, Tennessee improved to 7-0 on the season, maintaining their strong grip on their No. 4 ranking in the country and showcasing the talent that has fueled their high expectations for the 2025 campaign. The Bulldogs, on the other hand, were left searching for answers after the Volunteers capitalized on key moments to build an insurmountable lead.
The series, which spanned three games from February 22 to February 24, saw Tennessee gradually build momentum, culminating in a stunning outburst that sealed the weekend’s sweep. The Volunteers’ win was an encapsulation of their depth, resilience, and ability to adapt throughout the game, especially after Samford briefly threatened in the early innings of Sunday’s contest.
Game 1: A Statement Win
The first game of the series was an impressive showcase of Tennessee’s pitching and offensive power. With ace pitcher, junior right-hander Drew Beam, taking the mound for the Vols, Tennessee quickly demonstrated why they were ranked so highly in the preseason polls. Beam, who entered the game with a 1.20 ERA over his last six starts, continued to dazzle as he threw 6.1 innings, allowing just one run on five hits and striking out eight.
While Beam was in control on the mound, Tennessee’s offense did its part by jumping on Samford’s starting pitcher early. The Volunteers scored five runs in the first three innings, including a two-run homer by junior outfielder Christian Moore, who has already been one of Tennessee’s most consistent hitters to start the season.
Samford managed to get a run back in the fourth inning, but the Bulldogs were unable to sustain any meaningful rallies against Beam. The Volunteers’ bullpen came in and finished the job with freshman pitcher Camden Sewell throwing 2.2 perfect innings to seal the 7-1 victory. The performance solidified Tennessee’s strong standing and sent a message to Samford that they would need to bring their best if they hoped to keep the series competitive.
Game 2: Bulldogs Fight Back
While Game 1 was a showcase of Tennessee’s strength, Game 2 was more of a battle. Samford, down 1-0 in the series, came out with fire and energy, playing one of their best games of the season. The Bulldogs showed their ability to respond to adversity, and they came out swinging in the early innings. They faced off against Tennessee’s sophomore right-hander, Jackson Leath, who has been a reliable arm for the Volunteers but struggled with command on Saturday.
Leath gave up four runs in the first two innings, with Samford taking an early 4-1 lead, thanks in part to a three-run double from Bulldog catcher Hunter Mayfield. Tennessee’s hitters, however, remained calm under pressure. It was clear that despite the early deficit, the Volunteers had the talent to come back.
The Volunteers mounted their response in the fourth inning when they scored three runs to tie the game at 4-4. A leadoff triple from shortstop Maui Ahuna set the stage for an aggressive rally, followed by a clutch double by center fielder Blake Burke. Burke’s timely hit brought the game back to even, and then it was a battle of attrition as both teams began to tighten their defenses.
In the fifth inning, Tennessee took the lead for good, scoring two runs to go up 6-4. That lead was boosted by a solo home run by All-American candidate Trey Lipscomb, who continues to prove why he’s one of the best hitters in college baseball. The Volunteers didn’t look back from that point, adding two more insurance runs in the sixth to secure an 8-5 win.
Samford fought hard, but they were unable to respond to Tennessee’s late-game power. The Volunteers’ bullpen was efficient in closing out the game, with Sewell making his second appearance in as many games, and his shutdown performance made it evident that this bullpen could be one of the nation’s most dangerous.
Game 3: A Historic Outburst
What seemed like a tightly contested series quickly turned into a showcase of Tennessee’s overwhelming power and offensive depth in the final game of the weekend. After a brief moment of tension in the early innings, the Volunteers unleashed an 11-run barrage in the sixth inning that completely shifted the game in their favor.
After four scoreless innings, Tennessee finally broke through in the bottom of the fifth inning. Senior infielder Jorel Ortega, one of the team’s most experienced hitters, opened the frame with a single, followed by a walk to sophomore first baseman Hunter Ensley. That set up a key opportunity, and Blake Burke took advantage by blasting a three-run home run, giving Tennessee a 3-0 lead. The power surge didn’t stop there. The Volunteers scored four more runs in the next inning, pushing the score to 7-0 by the time Samford’s pitchers had no answers left.
Then, the sixth inning came, and it was nothing short of historic. Tennessee sent 16 batters to the plate and scored 11 runs, a combination of disciplined hitting, aggressive base running, and a few Samford miscues that all compounded into a decisive blow to the Bulldogs’ hopes of salvaging a win. By the time the dust settled, the Volunteers had taken a commanding 18-0 lead. The entire lineup seemed to find its groove, with significant contributions from Moore, Lipscomb, and Burke, who each added multiple RBIs in the inning.
For Samford, it was an almost unimaginable collapse. The Bulldogs’ pitching staff had kept the game relatively close for the first five innings, but once Tennessee found their rhythm, it was a tidal wave the Bulldogs could not weather. The game ended with a final score of 18-0, and Tennessee completed their weekend sweep in emphatic fashion.
Tennessee’s ability to close out a game with such a dominant performance reflected the team’s mental toughness and its superior depth across all positions. Whether it was their starting pitching, which continues to dominate, or their offensive firepower, which seems limitless at times, the Volunteers proved once again that they are a serious contender in 2025.
The Bigger Picture: Building Momentum for the Season
This weekend sweep over Samford provided Tennessee with more than just three wins. It was an opportunity to fine-tune the aspects of their game that needed work, and they did so while continuing to rack up dominant wins. The Volunteers showed that their pitching staff can be both effective and deep, with the ability to rely on different arms to get the job done. Whether it’s Beam in the starting rotation or Sewell coming in to close out games, the Volunteers are deep in the bullpen, which bodes well for their chances of going far in the postseason.
Offensively, Tennessee’s lineup is a force to be reckoned with. With hitters like Burke, Lipscomb, Moore, and Ortega leading the way, the Volunteers have a well-rounded offense that can attack from any spot in the order. The combination of power and consistency up and down the lineup makes them one of the most dangerous teams in the country.
Looking ahead, Tennessee will continue to test its mettle with more challenging matchups as the season progresses. This weekend’s sweep is a statement that they are ready for the tough tests that lie ahead, with the SEC season looming large. They are clicking on all cylinders, and with a high-powered offense and dominant pitching staff, they have the potential to make another deep run in the NCAA tournament.
For Samford, the weekend was a learning experience. While they were swept, the Bulldogs showed they can hang with one of the nation’s best teams, particularly in the early innings of games where they had some success. As they regroup and look ahead, the Bulldogs will no doubt take lessons from the series, aiming to bounce back in their upcoming matchups.