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Game Two Between Vols & Tigers Suspended, Sunday Schedule Modified

KNOXVILLE, TN — May 4, 2025
In a highly anticipated weekend showdown between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Auburn Tigers, Mother Nature had other plans. Saturday’s Game Two of the SEC baseball series was suspended due to inclement weather in Knoxville, leaving players, coaches, and fans in suspense with the Tigers holding a narrow lead before play was halted. In response, officials from both programs and the Southeastern Conference swiftly adjusted the Sunday schedule to accommodate the resumption and conclusion of the series.

The modified schedule includes the continuation of Game Two, which was suspended in the fourth inning, followed by a shortened Game Three to close out the crucial conference clash. With both teams vying for postseason positioning, the double-feature on Sunday has elevated importance, turning Lindsey Nelson Stadium into the epicenter of SEC baseball drama.

Storms Force Unexpected Pause in Competitive Series

Saturday’s contest began under ominous skies, with fans well aware of the impending threat of storms later in the day. Auburn held a 3–1 lead over Tennessee in the top of the fourth inning when a heavy downpour, accompanied by thunder and lightning in the area, forced umpires to issue a delay. After nearly 90 minutes of weather monitoring and safety protocol deliberations, the game was officially suspended.

“It’s never what you want during a series like this, but safety comes first,” said Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello during the post-suspension press conference. “We had momentum starting to build, and Auburn was playing good ball. It’s going to be a dogfight tomorrow.”

Auburn’s head coach Butch Thompson echoed the sentiment: “We’ve got two good teams battling it out, and now we’ve got to adapt. It’s going to be a grind, but our guys are ready.”

What the Suspension Means for the Series

At the time of the suspension, Auburn had gained early control, jumping to a two-run lead thanks to timely hitting and smart base running. The Tigers’ offensive spark was led by leadoff man Cade Kurland, who had already notched two hits and scored a run. Starting pitcher Grant Canady was also off to a strong start, keeping the Vols at bay with three strikeouts through three innings.

Meanwhile, Tennessee was just beginning to claw back after a slow start, with cleanup hitter Blake Burke driving in a run in the bottom of the third.

With Game Two now scheduled to resume at 12:00 p.m. ET Sunday, both teams must contend with the challenge of re-establishing momentum under completely different circumstances.

“It’s like hitting the reset button,” said Tennessee’s junior reliever Kirby Connell. “You wake up and it’s a new day, but everything you did yesterday still matters. The trick is being mentally locked in.”

New Sunday Schedule

The new Sunday structure is as follows:

12:00 p.m. ET – Resumption of suspended Game Two (Auburn leading 3–1, top of the fourth inning).
Approximately 45 minutes after conclusion of Game Two – Game Three begins.
Game Three Format – Will be a 7-inning game, per SEC rules governing weather-impacted series.

The decision to shorten the series finale was mutually agreed upon by both programs and follows established SEC guidelines, ensuring player safety and travel logistics are taken into consideration.

The compressed format, however, introduces new layers of strategy for both coaching staffs.

“We’re going to have to get creative with the bullpen and maybe rely on some arms that haven’t thrown a lot lately,” said Thompson. “Pitch counts and rest days are out the window now.”

Implications for the SEC Standings

The stakes couldn’t be higher for both teams. Entering the weekend, Tennessee was tied with Kentucky atop the SEC East standings, while Auburn was surging with a 5–2 record in its last seven SEC games and looking to bolster its resume for an NCAA Regional berth.

Current SEC East Top 4 (as of May 4):

Kentucky (16–7)
Tennessee (15–7)
Florida (13–10)
South Carolina (12–11)

SEC West Top 4:

Arkansas (17–6)
Texas A&M (14–9)
LSU (13–10)
Auburn (12–11)

Winning the series would not only give the victor a crucial conference boost but also serve as a tie-breaker down the line. Tennessee took Game One in thrilling fashion, with a walk-off double from sophomore Christian Moore sealing the 5–4 win. Auburn responded in Game Two before the weather cut their momentum short.

Now, Sunday has the potential to shift the trajectory of both programs with only two SEC series remaining on the regular season schedule.

Key Players to Watch on Sunday

Tennessee Volunteers

Christian Moore – Moore’s offensive heroics in Game One and steady defensive presence make him a key spark plug.
Drew Beam – The ace right-hander was scheduled to pitch in Game Three and may now enter the resumed Game Two if needed. His usage could determine Tennessee’s chances of winning both games.
Billy Amick – Batting .344 with 12 home runs this season, Amick has become a go-to bat in the clutch.

Auburn Tigers

Cade Kurland – His leadoff performance in the suspended game was pivotal, and he’ll be expected to set the tone again on Sunday.
Joseph Gonzalez – If healthy, the Tigers could call on the senior to pitch multiple innings in Game Three.
Ike Irish – Batting over .360, Irish is one of the most dangerous hitters in the SEC and a true game-changer at the plate.

Coaches’ Strategic Challenges

The new schedule will test each coaching staff’s flexibility and depth. With a potentially taxing bullpen day ahead, decisions regarding pitching changes, pinch-hitting, and defensive substitutions carry heightened weight.

Vitello addressed the challenge candidly: “We’ve got to manage innings and arms smartly. I don’t want to get to Game Three and feel like we’re out of bullets. But at the same time, you don’t hold back too much in a game you’re trailing.”

For Butch Thompson, who has juggled an injury-plagued staff for much of the season, it’s about “next-man-up” mentality.

“We’ve had to adapt all year. Whether it’s rain or roster, our guys are built to handle this.”

Fan Atmosphere & Program Momentum

Despite the rain, fans packed Lindsey Nelson Stadium on Saturday until the delay was officially declared. Tennessee’s passionate baseball following, known for their energy and heckling, is expected to be in full force again on Sunday. With postseason seeding hanging in the balance, the Volunteer faithful know just how important this day is.

“It’s going to be loud, and it’s going to be electric,” said Vols senior Blake Burke. “We feed off that energy.”

Auburn, on the other hand, relishes the underdog role in hostile territory. Having taken series from LSU and Mississippi State on the road earlier this year, the Tigers are no strangers to high-pressure environments.

“We love playing in front of big crowds,” Kurland said. “It fuels us.”

SEC Weather Woes Continue

This isn’t the first SEC series affected by weather this spring. Rain and storms have plagued the Southeast throughout April and May, with multiple series across the conference facing delays, suspensions, and schedule reshuffling. The SEC’s proactive handling of these issues has received praise, with player safety consistently prioritized.

“Our goal is always to get games in safely and fairly,” said SEC Baseball Coordinator Curt Maggitt. “It’s part of spring baseball in the South — we just plan and adapt.”

Sunday’s Storylines: What’s at Stake?

Series Winner – If Tennessee wins Game Two, they clinch the series regardless of Game Three’s result. If Auburn wins Game Two, Game Three becomes a winner-take-all showdown.
Postseason Seeding – The SEC Tournament in Hoover, Alabama looms. Both teams are fighting for top-eight seeds, which come with a first-round bye.
NCAA Regional Hosting – Tennessee is in strong contention to host a Regional and potentially a Super Regional. A series win would all but solidify their case.
Momentum into Final Weeks – With the final stretch of SEC play approaching, momentum from Sunday could carry either team into a strong finish.

Final Thoughts

As the clouds clear and the stakes rise, Sunday’s action in Knoxville promises to deliver not just baseball, but drama, grit, and urgency. With two SEC powerhouses locked in a close series and an adjusted schedule adding fuel to the fire, fans will be treated to a double-header filled with postseason implications.

In a season defined by unpredictability, the Tigers and Vols now find themselves on a collision course for one unforgettable Sunday.

Stay tuned. Everything is still to play for.

UP NEXT:
Game Two Resumes – Sunday, May 5, 12:00 PM ET
Game Three Follows – 7-Inning Format
Streaming Live on SEC Network+
Follow @Vol_Baseball and @AuburnBaseball for real-time updates

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