Tennessee Volunteers Dominate Bellarmine in Mid Week Matchup

On April 15, 2025, the Tennessee Volunteers baseball team showcased their dominance with a commanding 13-3 victory over the Bellarmine Knights at Lindsey Nelson Stadium in Knoxville. This midweek matchup highlighted Tennessee’s offensive prowess and pitching depth, reinforcing their status as one of the nation’s elite programs.

Game Overview

Bellarmine (9-27) struck first with freshman Landon Akers launching a leadoff home run, his fifth of the season. However, Tennessee (32-5) responded emphatically in the second inning, scoring six runs to seize control of the game. Key contributions included a three-run homer by Andrew Fischer and an RBI triple by Reese Chapman.

The Volunteers continued to apply pressure, adding two runs in the fourth inning and four more in the seventh, highlighted by back-to-back home runs from Dalton Bargo and Chris Newstrom. A final run in the eighth inning sealed the 13-3 victory, ending the game via the run-rule.

Pitching Performance

Andrew Behnke earned the win for Tennessee, improving his record to 2-0. He effectively bridged the gap between starter Thomas Crabtree and the bullpen, showcasing his versatility and reliability. Head Coach Tony Vitello praised Behnke’s performance, noting his ability to handle multiple roles and contribute significantly to the team’s success.

Offensive Highlights

Tennessee’s offense was firing on all cylinders, amassing 16 hits. Dean Curley led the charge with a 3-for-5 performance, including a double. The team’s depth was evident as multiple players contributed to the scoring, demonstrating the lineup’s balance and potency.

Bellarmine’s Effort

Despite the loss, Bellarmine showed resilience. Akers’ leadoff homer set an early tone, and the Knights managed to score additional runs in the third and seventh innings. Relievers Arren Hash and Cole McMichael provided scoreless innings, offering bright spots for the team moving forward.

Looking Ahead

Tennessee’s victory adds momentum as they prepare for an upcoming series against Kentucky. The Volunteers aim to maintain their strong performance and continue their pursuit of excellence in the SEC.

Bellarmine will look to regroup as they head into an Atlantic Sun Conference series against North Alabama. The Knights aim to build on their positive moments from the Tennessee game and strive for success in their conference play.

Tennessee’s 13-3 run-rule win over Bellarmine was a showcase of depth, discipline, and power—three pillars of Tony Vitello’s 2025 squad. After Bellarmine’s leadoff homer in the first inning, the Vols exploded for six runs in the second and never looked back. Andrew Fischer’s three-run blast and Reese Chapman’s RBI triple set the tone early. Tennessee added insurance with back-to-back home runs later in the game, while the pitching staff—led by Andrew Behnke—held Bellarmine to just six hits.