The Tennessee Volunteers welcomed the St. Bonaventure Bonnies this weekend with an emphatic 12-0 defeat on Friday night. The Volunteers went on to sweep the series, outscoring the Bonnies 36-3. Tennessee showcased its many talents yet again against a non-conference foe.
Junior Liam Doyle lead the charge for the Vols in the weekend opener, resulting in a combined no-hitter. It was the first no-hitter in program history since 2002. Doyle hurled 104 pitches through 5 2/3 innings. The left-hander struck out 13 batters to just two walks. According to Fangraphs, Doyle leads the nation in strikeout percentage with a mark of 69.1, and also sports a 61.8 strikeout-to-walk percentage, also best in the country among qualified innings.
Michael Salina of St. Bonaventure tossed 41 strikes on 65 pitches Saturday night. The Bonnies’ right-hander held strong against a Tennessee lineup that leads the nation in runs. Salina mixed in a curveball early and often, displaying varying shapes with the offering. Known for grabbing 102 mph with his fastball in recent months, Salina showcased the pitch, but sat 94-95 and even touched 98 mph. He allowed three earned runs, while striking out two and allowing two free passes.
Tennessee junior Marcus Phillips faced off with Salina on Saturday. Game 2 of the weekend series proved to be a pitcher’s battle for the first few innings. Phillips didn’t generate any whiffs in the first inning, but started to settle in during his second frame with a display of command and swing-and-miss.
Phillips stated during the post-game media session that it “might be” the most he’s utilized his slider. “What was working for me was throwing the ball over the plate,” Phillips said.
“I don’t know if I had a walk or how many I did, but I just felt like I was competing in the zone and getting ahead and throwing the ball over the plate with some conviction.”
Phillips’ night ended with five strikeouts through 5 2/3 innings. The Vols righty didn’t allow a walk and his only run was a lead-off solo homer off of James Tharnish. Phillips tallied 55 strikes on 85 pitches.
Other Tennessee Notables
Tennessee freshman Manny Marin hit a walk-off grand slam on Saturday night. It was his second home run of the year, and the Vols’ eighth grand slam on the young season. Marin is hitting .423 with 21 total bases through 26 at-bats after Saturday’s contest. He is eligible for the 2026 MLB draft.
Sophomore Dean Curley hit an opposite field two-run shot on Saturday that drove in Marin. Curley is a potential first-round pick for this summer’s draft. The right-handed stick can play anywhere in the infield, but will likely stick on the left side in pro ball.
Freshman Levi Clark hit a home run on Sunday. It was an opposite-field shot that didn’t even catch all of the barrel. The ball travelled 370 feet at 101 mph. Clark now has six home runs on the year. He’s a 2027 draft darling.
Redshirt freshman Stone Lawless launched two long balls on Sunday. His first homer exited left-center field at 104mph and logged 400 feet. Lawless is a 2026 name to watch, as the catcher and first baseman possesses some impressive raw power.
