LIVE Updates – Texas A&M vs. Tennessee Vols, Double-Header Thriller Ends with Series Split

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – With skies threatening rain and anticipation running high, No. 1-ranked Tennessee and No. 5 Texas A&M clashed in a high-stakes double-header Saturday afternoon at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. The matchup was more than just a battle between SEC giants—it was a rematch of the 2024 College World Series finals, where the Vols secured their first-ever national title in program history.

A year later, both squads came in with Omaha aspirations still very much alive. And on this day, the teams gave fans everything they could ask for: dominant pitching, massive home runs, emotional swings, and—ultimately—a split double-header that left the series tied at 2-1 in Tennessee’s favor.

Here’s how it all went down—and what it means moving forward.

GAME 1 (Saturday): Texas A&M 9, Tennessee 5

The Aggies wasted no time in erasing the memory of Friday’s 10-0 no-hitter embarrassment. From the jump, Texas A&M’s bats came alive, stringing together hit after hit against Tennessee starter AJ Causey.

Aggie Offense Breaks Out

Texas A&M pounded out 15 hits, including 4 home runs, en route to a 9-5 win. Shortstop Gavin Grahovac led the charge, going 3-for-4 with a homer and 3 RBIs, reminding everyone why he’s one of the top draft prospects in the country.

Aggie catcher Jackson Appel also went deep, continuing a recent power surge that’s seen him hit 5 home runs in 8 games.

Tennessee’s bullpen was called into action early, and while they stopped the bleeding midway through the game, the damage was done.

Tennessee’s Offense Struggles Late

Despite a few bright moments—including a two-run double by Blake Burke—Tennessee couldn’t keep up offensively. The Vols stranded eight runners on base, including three in scoring position over the final three innings.

Head coach Tony Vitello wasn’t thrilled with the execution:

“We’ve got to be more disciplined. You’re not going to beat a team like A&M with solo efforts. Gotta string together quality at-bats.”

GAME 2 (Saturday): Tennessee 7, Texas A&M 4

In the second half of the double-header, Tennessee responded like a team with Omaha DNA.

Drew Beam Sets the Tone

Starter Drew Beam gave Tennessee exactly what they needed—a six-inning, one-run performance with seven strikeouts. He mixed his fastball and off-speed pitches masterfully, keeping the Aggie lineup off balance.

“Drew came out and set the tone,” Vitello said postgame. “We asked him to be a leader, and he showed why he’s one of the best arms in the SEC.”

Zane Denton’s Redemption Arc

Zane Denton, who went 0-for-4 in the opener, roared back with a three-hit night that included a go-ahead 3-run homer in the 5th. The blast sent Lindsey Nelson Stadium into a frenzy and gave the Vols a 5-2 lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

“I wanted to get back in the box and make something happen,” Denton said. “That’s baseball—you get another chance.”

Series Recap: Vols Win 2 of 3

Friday’s Historic No-Hitter

Let’s not forget how this series started: with Tennessee’s combined no-hitter, a feat pulled off by Liam Doyle (6 innings) and Dylan Loy (3 innings). It was the first no-hitter for Tennessee since 2021 and the first combined one in SEC play in over a decade.

“Unreal,” said catcher Cal Stark. “I didn’t even realize it until the 8th inning. That’s how locked in those guys were.”

What This Series Means

For Tennessee (28-4, 10-2 SEC)

• Still the No. 1 team in the nation. The Vols showed their depth, bouncing back from a rough Game 1 loss and still claiming the series.
• Pitching remains elite. With Beam, Doyle, and a bullpen led by Nate Snead and Aaron Combs, Tennessee’s staff is as deep as any in the country.
• Bats need to find more consistency. Burke, Denton, and Moore are leaders, but Tennessee will need bottom-of-the-order production in tight games.

For Texas A&M (25-6, 9-3 SEC)

• They proved they belong. Taking one game in Knoxville—especially in emphatic fashion—shows that A&M is a real contender.
• Offense is scary. With 11 home runs across the last five games, the Aggies have the kind of firepower that can change a game in an instant.
• Pitching depth a concern. After Game 1, the bullpen struggled in Game 2. In a three-game weekend series, depth can make or break a team.

Stat Leaders (Series)

Player	Team	Stats
Gavin Grahovac	Texas A&M	5-for-10, 2 HR, 5 RBIs
Zane Denton	Tennessee	4-for-11, HR, 4 RBIs
Liam Doyle	Tennessee	6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 9 K (Friday)
Drew Beam	Tennessee	6 IP, 1 R, 7 K (Saturday Game 2)

Fan Reactions and Atmosphere

With Lindsey Nelson Stadium packed and rowdy, the series felt like postseason baseball in early April. The energy was electric, especially during the final game when Denton’s home run gave Tennessee the lead.

Social media lit up with reactions:

“This is what SEC baseball is all about. Vols vs Aggies feels like a College World Series preview every time.” — @SECbaseballbuzz

“Texas A&M fans can hold their heads high. That Game 1 bounce back was pure grit.” — @12thManNation

Looking Ahead

Tennessee’s Next Series: vs. Vanderbilt (April 11–13)

It’s rivalry week. The Commodores are fighting to get back into the top 25 and would love nothing more than to spoil Tennessee’s dominance. Expect packed stands and fireworks all weekend in Nashville.

Texas A&M’s Next Challenge: vs. LSU (April 11–13)

Another heavyweight battle looms. LSU is dangerous, and Texas A&M will need both bats and arms sharp to avoid losing ground in the SEC West.

Final Thoughts: SEC Baseball Is King

This weekend reinforced one truth—SEC baseball is in a league of its own.

You had:

• A no-hitter.
• A revenge game.
• A rubber match decided by clutch hitting and ace pitching.
• And two teams bound for Omaha.

Josh Heupel’s football squad may be grabbing headlines in Knoxville this spring, but make no mistake: Tony Vitello’s baseball team is the real rock star right now.

And with the way both the Vols and Aggies played this weekend, don’t be surprised if we get another Tennessee vs. Texas A&M matchup this June—on the biggest stage of them all.