The Tennessee Volunteers kicked off their series against the Kentucky Wildcats with a decisive 8-2 victory Friday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Liam Doyle earned the win for Tennessee, delivering another impressive outing in a series opener. He tossed 7 innings, allowing just 2 earned runs while striking out 9. On the other side, Nate Harris took the loss for Kentucky after surrendering 5 earned runs over 5 innings.
Kentucky got off to a fast start with a 2-run homer from Devin Burkes in the top of the first, but that would be their only offense of the night. Tennessee responded immediately in the bottom half, as Reese Chapman ripped a 2-run single up the middle to give the Vols a lead they never relinquished.
Aside from Doyle’s stellar night on the mound, catcher Cannon Peebles stole the show. He launched two home runs—one from each side of the plate. The first came in the sixth inning, a high-arcing 3-run blast to left-center that just cleared the outfielder’s glove, extending Tennessee’s lead to 7-2. He added another solo shot in the eighth to right-center for good measure.
Also worth mentioning: Ariel Artigua made a highlight-reel defensive play in the seventh inning that might go down as one of the best of the year.
The series continues Saturday at 6 p.m., with Marcus Phillips set to start for the Vols.
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