After a 5-1 victory to open a weekend series, the Tennessee Volunteers powered their way out of a pivotal sequence against the Samford Bulldogs on Saturday.
The Vols’ sixth win on the season proved to be the series-clincher. As Samford approached Sunday looking to salvage the weekend, Tennessee’s prominent power showcased yet again, leading to a sweep of a team tabbed to finish near the top of the Southern Conference.
Volunteer pitchers Nate Snead and Marcus Phillips combined for 14 strikeouts, two hits and only three runs allowed during Saturday’s contest. The only earned run was credited to Phillips.
Snead logged his 11th career win as a Vol, while Phillips recorded a career-high eight strikeouts.
It was a tight battle on Saturday, as Tennessee entered the bottom of the fifth inning down 2-0. The Vols scored one run in each of the three innings that followed. Then, in the bottom of the eighth inning, freshman Levi Clark sent a fastball to the porches beyond left field on a 3-1 count. The blast by Clark is Tennessee’s fourth grand slam on the young season.
Samford was a team that could provide stiff competition on a chilly weekend in Knoxville, Tennessee. The most noteworthy Bulldog performance came by way of Cam Keshock. The 6-foot-7 sinker-baller started Saturday’s game and tossed five efficient innings. Keshock kept Volunteer hitters off balance through 21 batters faced. The right-hander only recorded one strikeout, but induced nine groundouts and allowed just one run. Keshock is a pitcher to watch for the 2025 MLB draft. His sinker sits in the low 90s and is challenging for hitters.
Tennessee Quotes From the Weekend
Snead, known for his powerful presence on the mound, recorded triple-digits on his fastball last season. The right-hander sat 93-95 mph with the offering against Samford, but it was his curveball that spoiled the Bulldog hitters this weekend.
“Everything’s feeling really good,” said Snead. “I’m really happy with everything and how it’s coming out. Fastballs there, curveballs there. Haven’t thrown my (change-up), haven’t felt the need to yet. Whatever’s working that day, that’s what I’m gonna stick with.” Four of Snead’s strikeouts came via the breaking ball.
The Tennessee freshmen continued to shine as well. The Vols are stacked with a versatile lineup and quality depth. Saturday’s showcase was an example of all the powerful components that head coach Tony Vitello has at his disposal.
“I mean, our hitters did a good job of battling,” Vitello said. “And obviously there was a mistake in there, but the pressure was kind of on the pitcher in that situation. I think Levi looked like he just kind of had a simple approach there. And he’s so strong and talented, and of course – he works hard too – that it ended up being a pretty explosive cap on the game really.”
Clark, a freshman from Marietta, Georgia, now has 13 RBI in just as many at-bats as a Volunteer.
“I think Levi looked like he just kind of had a simple approach there,” Vitello said. “And he’s so strong and talented, and of course, he works hard too that it ended up being a pretty explosive cap on the game.”
Power in the Numbers
Tennessee launched eight home runs on the weekend, with Clark hitting two in pinch-hit situations. The Vols outscored Samford 23-5 in the series and locked up the sweep with a run-rule victory on Sunday. Tennessee pitching combined for 44 strikeouts to just seven walks through 25 innings against Samford. The Vols have scored 98 runs through seven games in the 2025 season.l
