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Tennessee vs Kentucky Final Score – Vols Roll Wildcats to Open Series
LEXINGTON, Ky. – April 18, 2025 — In a powerful start to their weekend series, the No. 5 Tennessee Volunteers baseball team dismantled the Kentucky Wildcats 11–3 on Friday night at Kentucky Proud Park. Behind a masterful performance from their ace pitcher and a relentless offensive onslaught, the Vols fired on all cylinders to grab an early advantage in this key SEC matchup.
With their sights set on postseason glory, Tennessee (33–8, 14–5 SEC) wasted no time making a statement against Kentucky (25–15, 9–10 SEC). Friday night’s win marked Tennessee’s fifth victory in their last six conference games and showcased the depth and firepower that have made them a national contender once again.
Early Momentum: Vols Come Out Swinging
It didn’t take long for Tennessee to assert dominance. In the top of the first inning, leadoff hitter Christian Moore set the tone by lining a double to left-center. Two batters later, cleanup man Billy Amick sent a towering blast over the left-field wall for a two-run homer, putting Tennessee up 2–0 and silencing the Wildcats crowd.
By the third inning, the Vols extended their lead to 5–0 thanks to a clutch RBI single from Blake Burke and a two-run double from Dean Curley. Kentucky starter Trey Poindexter struggled with command and failed to keep Tennessee’s lineup at bay, exiting the game in the fourth after allowing six hits and five earned runs.
Head Coach Tony Vitello emphasized his team’s aggressive approach early on.
“We came out locked in,” Vitello said postgame. “The guys were seeing pitches well and executing. That’s what we’ve been preaching all week — set the tone early, and don’t let up.”
Drew Beam Delivers on the Mound
On the mound, junior right-hander Drew Beam was lights out. The Tennessee ace delivered one of his finest performances of the season, tossing 7.0 innings of two-run ball while scattering five hits and striking out nine.
Beam kept the Kentucky bats off balance with his pinpoint fastball and a devastating slider that drew swing after swing. His poise on the mound allowed Tennessee to keep momentum firmly in their corner all night long.
“Drew was phenomenal,” Vitello said. “He’s our guy, and tonight he showed exactly why. Every time they tried to chip away, he slammed the door shut.”
With Friday’s gem, Beam improved to 6–1 on the season with a 2.89 ERA, continuing his stellar junior campaign and strengthening his case as one of the best pitchers in the SEC.
The Vols’ offensive power was on full display, not only racking up 11 runs but doing so in multiple ways — long balls, smart baserunning, and clutch two-out hits.
Billy Amick’s first-inning homer was just the beginning. Tennessee belted three home runs in total, with Amick adding another solo shot in the sixth and Moore joining the party with a deep drive in the seventh. The duo combined for five RBIs on the night.
But the Vols weren’t just slugging. In the fifth inning, they manufactured a run off a walk, a stolen base, and a sacrifice fly. In the eighth, Jared Dickey punched a two-run single through the right side to break the game wide open at 9–2.
“We’ve got a lineup that can do damage up and down,” Moore said. “Everyone’s buying in. Whether it’s a bunt, a bomb, or a blooper, we’re doing what it takes.”
While the offense lit up the scoreboard, Tennessee’s defense made sure Kentucky never gained traction. Outfielders made multiple diving grabs, including a highlight-reel catch by Cal Stark in right field to rob what would’ve been a two-run double in the fourth.
Infielders turned two key double plays to kill potential Kentucky rallies, and catcher Ryan Miller showcased his arm by gunning down two base runners attempting to steal.
Vitello praised his team’s all-around effort.
“You don’t win in the SEC unless you play clean baseball. I thought our defense tonight was as sharp as it’s been all year. That’s a huge difference-maker.”
The Wildcats, meanwhile, had their moments but failed to capitalize. Kentucky left eight runners on base, including stranding the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth when they trailed by just four.
Their pitching woes also continued. Poindexter’s early struggles put the bullpen in a tough spot, and relievers never managed to slow down Tennessee’s hitters.
“We didn’t execute, plain and simple,” said Kentucky head coach Nick Mingione. “We had some chances to claw back in it, but we couldn’t get the big hit when we needed it. And against a team like Tennessee, you have to be nearly perfect.”
With Friday’s win, Tennessee remains in a tight race atop the SEC East standings. Every game down the stretch matters, especially as they look to secure a top seed for the SEC Tournament and ultimately a national seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Vitello’s squad has been red-hot since early April, and with veteran leaders like Moore, Amick, and Beam guiding the way, the Vols appear primed for another deep postseason run.
“We’re just taking it one game at a time,” said Amick. “But we know what’s in front of us. The goal is Omaha, and we’re building toward that every day.”
Tennessee and Kentucky will be back in action Saturday evening for Game 2 of the series. The Vols are expected to start sophomore left-hander Zander Sechrist (5–2, 3.45 ERA), while the Wildcats will counter with right-hander Darren Grayson (4–3, 4.12 ERA).
Vitello hinted that the lineup may remain largely the same, with possible minor adjustments depending on matchups.
“We like where we’re at right now,” he said. “We’ve got a deep bench, so if we need to make a switch, we’ll do it. But the guys earned another shot with tonight’s performance.”
A series win on Saturday would continue Tennessee’s upward momentum and mark their fourth consecutive SEC series win. But Kentucky won’t go down quietly — the Wildcats have been a scrappy group all season, and they’ll be desperate to avoid a series loss at home.
A sea of orange could be seen throughout Kentucky Proud Park, as Tennessee fans made the trip north to support their team. Chants of “Let’s go Vols!” echoed throughout the night, especially during the big offensive innings.
Social media also lit up with reactions. On X (formerly Twitter), “#GBO” trended regionally as fans shared clips of Amick’s homers and Beam’s strikeouts.
“We’ve got the best fans in the country,” said Moore. “To see them show up like that on the road? It’s special. We feed off that energy.”
Friday night’s performance was more than just a win — it was a statement. Tennessee looked like a team ready to make a serious postseason run. With pitching, power, and poise, the Vols are playing their best baseball at the right time.
If they can maintain this level of play through the rest of the series and into May, the College World Series won’t just be a dream — it’ll be an expectation.
FINAL SCORE: Tennessee 11, Kentucky 3
Series: Tennessee leads 1–0
Next Game: Saturday, 6:30 PM ET at Kentucky Proud Park
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