Tennessee baseball fans have grown accustomed to drama, but Saturday night’s clash with Texas delivered one of the most memorable and nerve-wracking finishes of the season. After 11 grueling innings at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, the score was deadlocked at 5-5, tension mounting with every pitch. That was until sophomore infielder Gavin Kilen stepped to the plate in the bottom of the 12th with a chance to be the hero—and seized the moment in spectacular fashion.
Kilen, who had gone hitless in his previous five at-bats on the night, delivered a two-run walk-off double down the right field line, driving in the winning runs and sending the home crowd into a frenzy. His clutch hit sealed a 7-5 victory for the Vols over the Longhorns in a battle that showcased grit, resilience, and the kind of postseason atmosphere that college baseball fans live for.
“I was just looking for something I could drive,” Kilen said postgame. “After a long night, I didn’t want to try to do too much. I knew I had to come through for my guys. They kept battling all game, and I just wanted to do my part.”
For Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello, it was a defining moment for a player who has steadily gained confidence as the season has progressed.
“That’s what this game is all about,” Vitello said. “Gavin didn’t have a great night at the plate up to that point, but he never stopped competing. He stayed ready, trusted his approach, and delivered when it mattered most.”
The game itself was a rollercoaster, filled with big swings, missed opportunities, and masterful bullpen performances on both sides. Texas struck first, taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the second thanks to an RBI single from Jared Thomas, but Tennessee quickly responded in the bottom of the frame when Blake Burke launched a solo home run—his 17th of the season—over the right field wall to even things at 1-1.
In the fourth, the Vols looked poised to take control. Christian Moore doubled to left-center, then came around to score on a two-out single by Dean Curley. After a passed ball and a walk, Tennessee loaded the bases, but Texas reliever Max Grubbs got a key strikeout to end the threat, keeping the score at 2-1.
That narrow escape ignited the Longhorns’ offense. In the top of the fifth, they plated three runs, highlighted by a two-run blast from Peyton Powell that gave Texas a 4-2 lead. Tennessee starter Drew Beam was pulled after five innings, finishing with five strikeouts, two walks, and four earned runs on seven hits.
The Vols, however, refused to let the game slip away. In the seventh, Moore sparked a rally with a leadoff walk. Kavares Tears followed with a double, and an error by the Texas shortstop allowed both runners to score, tying the game at 4-4.
Relievers took over from there, trading zeroes as the game entered extra innings. Nate Snead was sensational in relief for the Vols, tossing 3.2 innings of one-run baseball and keeping Tennessee in the game. He struck out five, walked none, and gave up just two hits in one of his most composed outings of the season.
Texas briefly regained the lead in the top of the 11th, taking advantage of a bloop single and a sac fly from Dylan Campbell. But again, Tennessee answered. Burke came up big once more with a clutch RBI single in the bottom of the inning, tying the game at 5-5 and sending it into the 12th.
It was in that final inning that Tennessee’s character shined through. After Andrew Behnke kept Texas off the scoreboard in the top half, the bottom of the 12th set the stage for Kilen’s heroics. After a leadoff walk by Tears and a bunt single from Hunter Ensley, the Vols had runners on first and second with no outs. Kilen, who had struck out twice and grounded out three times earlier in the game, found himself with a chance for redemption.
With the count at 2-1, he connected on a fastball tailing inside and ripped it past the diving first baseman. Tears scored easily, and as Ensley raced around third, the Tennessee dugout emptied in celebration. Kilen rounded second, fist pumping and yelling toward the outfield as he was mobbed by teammates.
The win was not just dramatic—it was a critical momentum builder for a Tennessee team looking to prove it can win in tight, high-stakes contests. It also marked the Vols’ 34th victory of the season and a signature non-conference win against a top-tier opponent.
Burke finished the night 3-for-5 with two RBIs, while Moore reached base four times and scored twice. Despite being outhit 13-11, Tennessee found ways to manufacture runs and leaned heavily on their bullpen, which struck out 11 and walked just one over seven innings of work.
For Texas, it was a heartbreaker. The Longhorns had their chances, leaving 12 men on base and going just 3-for-13 with runners in scoring position. Still, head coach David Pierce was quick to praise his team’s effort in the postgame press conference.
“It was a battle,” Pierce said. “Both teams laid it all on the line. We had our opportunities but didn’t capitalize enough. Tennessee made the big plays when they needed to. Hats off to them.”
As for Tennessee, the victory only reinforces the notion that this is a team built for the big moments. Kilen’s game-winning hit will be remembered as one of the season’s defining plays, not just for the win it secured, but for what it revealed about the Vols’ resilience, belief, and never-say-die attitude.
With conference play heating up and postseason implications looming, Tennessee knows that every game counts. And if Saturday night is any indication, they have more than enough firepower—and heart—to make a deep run.
