On Friday, March 28, 2025, the baseball rivalry between the Tennessee Volunteers and the South Carolina Gamecocks reached a fever pitch at Founders Park in Columbia, South Carolina. This matchup was more than just another SEC contest—it represented a key moment in both teams’ pursuit of postseason positioning and conference supremacy. With each squad jockeying for position in one of the most competitive college baseball conferences, the stakes could not have been higher. And, on this particular evening, the Gamecocks would prove to be formidable opponents, fighting tooth and nail to secure a victory.
The Tennessee Volunteers: A Team Built for the Big Stage
The Volunteers, under the leadership of head coach Tony Vitello, have quickly established themselves as one of the top programs in college baseball. Known for their explosive offense, sharp defense, and dominant pitching staff, Tennessee has had a remarkable rise to prominence over the past few seasons. They have consistently been ranked in the top 10 of the national rankings, making them a dangerous opponent for any team, including their SEC rivals like South Carolina.
Tennessee’s offensive lineup is loaded with talent, featuring a combination of power hitters and table setters who can wreak havoc on opposing pitching staffs. Players like infielder Christian Moore, who has emerged as one of the league’s top hitters, and outfielder Jared Dickey, a dynamic presence both at the plate and in the field, have been pivotal to the Volunteers’ success. This offensive potency was something the Gamecocks had to be mindful of, knowing that any mistake could result in a big inning for Tennessee.
On the mound, the Volunteers have one of the most formidable pitching staffs in the SEC. Led by ace pitcher Chase Burns, Tennessee’s pitching has been a critical part of their success. Burns, with his electric stuff and command, has been a cornerstone of the pitching rotation, frequently delivering clutch performances. Complemented by a strong bullpen and depth in the starting rotation, Tennessee’s pitching staff is capable of stifling any opponent, even one as talented as South Carolina.
However, in this Friday night game at Founders Park, the Vols faced a South Carolina team that was hungry for a big win and had something to prove.
South Carolina Gamecocks: Grit and Determination Under Paul Mainieri
South Carolina, under the guidance of head coach Paul Mainieri, has had a rich history in college baseball. Mainieri, a seasoned coach with a national championship pedigree from his time at LSU, was looking to bring that same level of success to Columbia. Since taking over the program, Mainieri has built a squad that thrives on strong pitching, disciplined defense, and timely hitting. The Gamecocks have long been known for their ability to compete with the best, and the 2025 season was no different.
South Carolina’s pitching staff, led by ace Will Sanders, is one of the most feared in the country. Sanders, who had established himself as one of the top pitchers in the SEC, was given the starting nod on Friday night. Known for his ability to mix speeds and locate his pitches, Sanders is a crafty and resilient arm capable of neutralizing some of the most powerful lineups in college baseball. Sanders’ performance was going to be critical in containing the Tennessee offense, which had been putting up impressive numbers throughout the season.
Offensively, the Gamecocks have a well-rounded lineup that can hit for both power and average. Key players like shortstop Michael Braswell and outfielder Braylen Wimmer have been integral parts of the Gamecocks’ offensive attack. Braswell, known for his ability to make contact and move runners, provided the Gamecocks with a consistent presence at the top of the order, while Wimmer has been a potent threat in the middle of the lineup with his ability to drive in runs and hit for power.
The Gamecocks’ ability to manufacture runs, coupled with their solid pitching and defense, made them a tough team to beat—especially at home, where they had a proven track record of success. As the Gamecocks entered the series against Tennessee, they were looking to make a statement against one of the SEC’s top teams, showing the nation that they were capable of going toe-to-toe with anyone.
The Early Innings: A Battle of Strengths
As the game began at Founders Park, the energy was palpable. The crowd was buzzing, with the atmosphere electric as both teams took to the field. Tennessee’s potent offense was ready to challenge Sanders, while the Gamecocks were determined to control the tempo of the game with their ace on the mound.
In the first inning, Chase Burns took the mound for Tennessee. Known for his fastball and devastating slider, Burns immediately showed his ability to control the strike zone. He set the Gamecocks down in order, giving his team confidence as they headed to the plate in the top of the second.
South Carolina’s Will Sanders, on the other hand, was equally sharp early on. He used a combination of off-speed pitches and well-placed fastballs to keep the Volunteers’ hitters off balance. His ability to induce weak contact and avoid walks allowed him to escape a couple of tight spots, including a runner on second with one out in the third inning. Sanders’ poise and composure were key, as he kept Tennessee from getting into a rhythm.
Through the first few innings, it became clear that this would be a pitching duel. Burns and Sanders were both in control, making it difficult for either offense to break through. But as the game progressed, the tension continued to build.
Breaking the Stalemate: South Carolina Takes the Lead
The scoreless tie was finally broken in the bottom of the fifth inning. South Carolina capitalized on a leadoff single from Michael Braswell, who promptly stole second base. After a couple of productive outs, Braylen Wimmer stepped up to the plate with a runner in scoring position. Wimmer, known for his power and ability to come through in clutch moments, drilled a single into center field, scoring Braswell and giving the Gamecocks a 1-0 lead.
For the first time in the game, the Volunteers found themselves playing from behind. While it was a modest lead, it was enough to energize the Gamecock crowd and make things a bit more difficult for Tennessee’s offense. Burns, however, remained composed on the mound, managing to limit the damage despite the setback.
Tennessee responded in the top of the sixth inning. Christian Moore led off with a solid double into the gap, giving the Vols a potential scoring opportunity. However, Sanders responded by retiring the next three batters in order, including striking out Jared Dickey with a filthy slider to end the inning.
As the game continued, both pitching staffs settled into a rhythm, with each team trying to find ways to break the deadlock. Tennessee’s offense continued to struggle against Sanders’ pitch mix, while Burns was able to work around a few base runners, showing resilience in keeping South Carolina’s lead to just one run.
The Gamecocks Extend Their Advantage
In the bottom of the seventh inning, South Carolina added another run. A walk and an error put two runners on base with no outs, and after a sacrifice bunt, the Gamecocks had runners on second and third with one out. A sharp ground ball from first baseman Cole Messina allowed the Gamecocks to plate an insurance run, increasing their lead to 2-0.
The Gamecocks were playing clean, efficient baseball—moving runners over, getting timely hits, and making plays when they needed them most. With a two-run lead, the Gamecocks now had a firm grip on the game, but they needed to close it out against a Tennessee team that was never far from breaking through.
The Final Inning: A Tennessee Rally Falls Short
Tennessee wasn’t ready to give up without a fight. In the top of the ninth inning, the Vols mounted a late rally against South Carolina’s closer, Eric Hammond. Moore singled to start the inning, and a walk to Dickey brought the tying run to the plate. However, Hammond settled in, striking out the next two batters and forcing a fly out to end the game.
South Carolina’s 2-0 victory was a testament to their strong pitching and timely hitting, particularly the performance of Will Sanders, who went 8.1 innings, allowing only five hits while striking out 10 Tennessee batters. For Tennessee, Burns was solid but was undone by a couple of key moments where the Gamecocks capitalized on their chances.
The Aftermath: A Key Victory for South Carolina
The Gamecocks’ 2-0 victory over Tennessee was a massive win for Paul Mainieri’s squad. It was a statement that South Carolina was ready to contend in the SEC and that they had the pitching and defensive depth to challenge even the best teams in the conference. With the win, South Carolina improved their standing in the SEC, sending a message that they were not to be underestimated.
For Tennessee, the loss was a setback, but it was far from a disaster. With a talented roster and a coach who knows how to navigate the pressures of SEC play, the Vols are still very much in the hunt for the top spot in the conference. However, they will need to adjust their approach offensively, finding a way to break through against elite pitching if they are to meet their championship aspirations.