Vols Catch Fire in Midweek Win, Crush Alabama State 10–2 Ahead of Pivotal Weekend
The Tennessee Volunteers have been nothing if not streaky throughout the 2025 college baseball season. But on Tuesday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, they looked every bit the SEC powerhouse that fans have grown to expect. In a dominant 10–2 midweek victory over Alabama State, the Vols flexed their offensive muscle, shored up some midseason pitching concerns, and sent a clear message heading into a critical conference series this weekend.
Tennessee (26–9) came into the game looking to bounce back from a frustrating series loss to Georgia, one that exposed some vulnerabilities in both their bullpen depth and situational hitting. Against Alabama State, a team with a strong record in the SWAC but clearly overmatched on paper, the Vols wasted no time setting the tone.
It was a complete performance: steady pitching, clean defense, and an offense that didn’t just produce runs—it demoralized the opposition with hard contact and timely execution. For head coach Tony Vitello, it was the kind of response he wanted to see.
“We challenged the guys a bit after Sunday’s loss,” Vitello said postgame. “Not necessarily about wins or losses, but about how we show up. How we carry ourselves. Tonight felt more like us.”
The scoring started early, with the Vols plating three runs in the bottom of the first. Christian Moore, the team’s offensive catalyst all season, doubled into the right-center gap to drive in two, and Blake Burke followed with a sharp single to bring Moore home. It was exactly the kind of quick strike Tennessee needed to settle in and take control.
Alabama State briefly responded in the second with a solo home run from cleanup hitter Kenny Rollins, but that was all the Hornets would manage against Tennessee starter AJ Causey, who went four strong innings, allowing just two hits and striking out five. It was a promising outing for Causey, who had been used sparingly in recent weeks but looked composed and in rhythm on Tuesday night.
“Felt good to get out there and throw some zeros,” Causey said. “We’ve got a lot of guys who can step up. It’s about staying ready.”
Indeed, the Tennessee bullpen backed him up in style. Five pitchers combined to throw the final five innings, allowing just one more run—unearned in the seventh—while striking out seven and walking none. The clean pitching lines stood in sharp contrast to the walks and late-game struggles that had haunted the Vols against Georgia.
“Midweek games are big opportunities for our staff to show what they’ve got,” pitching coach Frank Anderson noted. “And I thought tonight, we saw guys come in with a plan.”
Offensively, Tennessee didn’t let up after the first inning. Moore finished the night 3-for-4 with a double, a home run, and four RBIs, padding what has already been an All-SEC caliber stat line. Burke added two hits and a pair of runs, while sophomore shortstop Dean Curley chipped in with a two-run double in the fifth that all but sealed the result.
One of the more encouraging developments came from the bottom of the order, where Dylan Dreiling and Kavares Tears—both of whom had been in mini slumps—combined for three hits and three runs scored. If Tennessee can get consistent production from its lower half, the lineup becomes exponentially more dangerous.
The 10-run output marked the sixth time in the last nine games that the Vols have scored eight or more, a trend that bodes well as they prepare for a major SEC showdown this weekend. Tennessee will host the red-hot Vanderbilt Commodores in a three-game set that could have major implications in the SEC East standings and national seeding conversations.
Vitello was careful not to get ahead of himself, but acknowledged the importance of entering the weekend with momentum.
“You want to be playing your best ball in April and May,” he said. “That doesn’t mean every game is perfect, but the trends matter. Energy, effort, execution. If we’re clicking in those areas, we like our chances against anyone.”
The crowd at Lindsey Nelson—spirited even on a Tuesday night—seemed to agree. The nearly 4,000 fans in attendance were treated to a crisp game that featured highlight-reel plays, such as Moore’s diving stop in the sixth and Curley’s smooth double play turn in the eighth. Even in a game with a lopsided score, Tennessee played with the kind of edge and polish that has defined Vitello’s best teams.
Alabama State, to their credit, continued to battle. The Hornets, now 20–14 on the season, used the game as a measuring stick, facing elite SEC competition on the road. Head coach José Vázquez said afterward that the experience was valuable, even in defeat.
“They’re a top-10 caliber team for a reason,” Vázquez said of Tennessee. “We saw the level we want to get to. We’ll learn from it.”
While the win may not move the needle significantly in terms of RPI or tournament resume, it served an important function for Tennessee. It was a palette cleanser after the Georgia series, a reminder of how dangerous the Vols can be when they play to their strengths. It was also a showcase for players like Moore, who continues to rise up draft boards, and Burke, who remains one of the most feared hitters in the conference despite a recent dip in power numbers.
“We’ve got guys who’ve been through the grind of the SEC,” Vitello said. “They know it’s not about one game. But this one? This was a good one to build off.”
Looking ahead, Tennessee will need to carry this performance into the weekend if it hopes to gain ground in the SEC standings. Vanderbilt (28–7) enters the series riding a seven-game win streak and boasting one of the deepest pitching staffs in the country. For Tennessee, the key will be striking early—just as they did Tuesday night—and continuing to find balance between explosive offense and reliable pitching.
Much of that starts with the veterans. Moore, Burke, and catcher Cal Stark have all played in high-leverage SEC battles. Their leadership, both on and off the field, will be critical in setting the tone. But the younger pieces—Curley, Dreiling, Tears—have also matured quickly, and their contributions have become increasingly vital.
“It’s not just about experience,” Moore said. “It’s about mindset. You’ve got to believe you belong, and then go out and prove it.”
Tuesday’s win did just that for Tennessee. It proved that, despite the ups and downs of the season, the Vols remain one of the most dangerous teams in the country when they’re locked in. And with the postseason drawing closer, that’s a message the rest of the SEC—and the nation—would be wise to heed.
As the lights dimmed over Lindsey Nelson Stadium, the players took the field for a brief postgame meeting, laughter and glove flips punctuating the cool spring air. There was no dogpile, no celebration like a walk-off win, but the vibe was unmistakable: confidence, chemistry, and a collective understanding that bigger things lie ahead.
“It’s about stacking good days,” Vitello said. “This was one of them.”
And if the Vols can keep stacking those good days, they just might find themselves not only contending for the SEC crown but making another deep run in June.