For a program as loaded and battle-tested as Tennessee baseball, hosting a regional at Lindsey Nelson Stadium was supposed to offer an advantage — a launching pad for another trip to the Super Regionals and, eventually, Omaha. But Wake Forest had other plans. With their backs against the wall, the Demon Deacons delivered a resilient performance to stun the Volunteers on Sunday and force a decisive Game 7 in the Knoxville Regional.
The 2025 NCAA Tournament has already seen its share of drama, but few matchups have carried the weight or intensity of this showdown between two powerhouses. Tennessee, the No. 3 overall seed in the tournament, had been riding high after dominant wins earlier in the regional. However, Wake Forest — a team that began the season ranked No. 1 and entered the postseason with a chip on its shoulder — reminded everyone why they were so feared to begin with.
Now, it all comes down to Monday. One game. Winner moves on, loser goes home.
Wake Forest’s Statement Win
Sunday night’s game was electric from the first pitch. With a packed house of over 4,300 fans on hand — many decked out in Big Orange — Wake Forest silenced the crowd early. The Deacs scored three runs in the top of the second inning and never looked back, using timely hitting and clutch pitching to earn a 6-3 win.
Junior outfielder Tommy Hawke sparked the offense with a two-run triple, while third baseman Brock Wilken added an RBI double in the fifth to extend the lead. Pitcher Josh Hartle, the team’s ace who had struggled with inconsistency in recent weeks, delivered one of his finest performances of the season, going 6.2 innings while striking out nine and walking only two.
“We knew what was at stake,” Wake Forest head coach Tom Walter said postgame. “Our guys showed heart. This is what postseason baseball is all about — rising to the moment.”
It was a calculated gamble to start Hartle on short rest, but with their season on the line, Walter made a gutsy call. Hartle rewarded him with poise and power, attacking Tennessee’s vaunted lineup with a mix of high-velocity fastballs and wipeout sliders.
Tennessee’s Missed Opportunities
For the Volunteers, the loss stung not just because of the result but because of the chances left on the table. Tennessee stranded nine runners and hit just 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position. Their top power bats, including Christian Moore and Blake Burke, were largely neutralized by Wake Forest’s pitching staff.
“It’s tough. We had the right guys in the right spots, and sometimes the ball just doesn’t fall,” Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello said. “But our team is made of guys who bounce back. We’ll be ready for tomorrow.”
Vitello’s squad came into the regional as the overwhelming favorite, led by a deep lineup and an elite bullpen. But against Wake Forest, cracks began to show — particularly in their inability to execute with runners in scoring position and some uncharacteristically shaky defense.
In the seventh inning, an errant throw by third baseman Billy Amick allowed Wake Forest to tack on an insurance run, making it 5-2. Though Tennessee mounted a brief rally in the bottom of the eighth, cutting the lead to two on a solo homer from Moore, they failed to close the gap further.
Pitching Matchups for Game 7
Both teams face enormous questions heading into Monday’s winner-take-all contest — none bigger than who takes the mound.
For Tennessee, sophomore Drew Beam could be the answer. Beam has been a steady presence throughout the year and is rested after not pitching over the weekend. However, Vitello may also turn to his bullpen early, especially if Beam gets into trouble.
On the Wake Forest side, arms are more limited. After using Hartle and closer Camden Minacci in back-to-back games, the Deacs may have to rely on a combination of freshman Michael Massey and veteran Rhett Lowder, depending on availability.
“We’ll do whatever it takes,” said Wake Forest pitching coach Corey Muscara. “Whether it’s one guy or six, we’re going to pitch like it’s our last game — because it is.”
This chess match of bullpen management, pitch counts, and matchups will likely decide who survives and advances.
What’s at Stake
For Tennessee, a Super Regional berth would mark their third in the last four years — an affirmation of the program’s status as one of the nation’s elite under Vitello. The Vols have become synonymous with swagger and power, but they know how quickly postseason dreams can end. Last year’s heartbreak in Omaha still lingers, and this team has vowed not to come up short again.
Wake Forest, meanwhile, is chasing redemption. After falling short in the Super Regionals last year, the Deacs came into 2025 with sky-high expectations. Injuries and inconsistency knocked them down the rankings, but they are peaking at the right time. With a potential showdown against SEC regular-season champ Arkansas looming in the Supers, both teams know the importance of finishing strong.
“This is where legacies are made,” said Wake Forest senior Bennett Lee. “We didn’t come this far just to fold. We believe.”
X-Factors for Monday
1. Christian Moore (2B, Tennessee): Moore has been Tennessee’s emotional engine and their most dangerous bat all season. If he can spark a rally early, the Vols could ride the momentum behind their home crowd.
2. Nick Kurtz (1B, Wake Forest): The All-American slugger hasn’t had a huge game yet this weekend, but he’s always one swing away from flipping the script. If Tennessee pitches to him, they do so at their own risk.
3. Defense: Both teams have committed costly errors throughout the weekend. In a game with little margin for error, whoever plays cleaner defense may have the upper hand.
4. Bullpen usage: Expect short leashes. Tennessee may be quicker to mix and match with their arms, while Wake Forest will need to be creative to navigate the middle innings.
Fan Environment and Pressure
Lindsey Nelson Stadium will be at capacity again, creating one of the most intense atmospheres in college baseball. Tennessee fans have been a driving force all season, but that pressure can cut both ways.
“It’s loud, it’s crazy, and it’s awesome,” said Vols catcher Cal Stark. “But we can’t get caught up in it. We’ve got a job to do.”
Wake Forest’s players have embraced the road villain role, feeding off the energy and silencing the crowd with big plays.
“They’ve got great fans,” Wilken said. “But we’ve got grit. And we’re not afraid.”
Historical Context
The last time Tennessee faced a Game 7 situation in a regional was 2021 against Liberty, a game they won en route to their first Omaha trip in 16 years. Vitello-coached teams are 4-1 in elimination games at home.
For Wake Forest, this is only the third time in program history they’ve forced a Game 7 on the road. Their last such win came in 2002 against Nebraska, a game that propelled them to a deep run.
History favors Tennessee on paper, but the postseason rarely follows the script.
Final Outlook
Everything is on the line Monday. For two programs with Omaha aspirations, only one will survive Knoxville.
Tennessee will count on its depth, power, and crowd support to push through. Wake Forest will lean on resilience, strategy, and a belief that they still have unfinished business.
It’s a heavyweight fight. Game 7. No safety net. No excuses.
“The guys in that locker room are ready,” Vitello said. “We’ve worked for this all year. Let’s finish.
