May 22, 2025; Hoover, AL, USA; Tennessee shortstop Gavin Kilen (6) celebrates after driving in the eventual winning runs in the 12th inning against Texas in the third round of the SEC Baseball Tournament at the Hoover Met. Tennessee eliminated Texas with a 12-inning 7-5 victory.

The Vols and Commodores are playing again 13 days later at Hoover Met, clashing in the SEC tournament semifinals in Hoover, Alabama. No. 8 seed Tennessee and No. 4 seed Vanderbilt will play on May 24 (1 p.m. ET, SEC Network) for a spot in the conference tournament title game. UT is 3-0 in the SEC tournament semifinals under coach Tony Vitello.

The No. 8 seed Vols (43-15) advanced with a 7-5 win against top-seeded Texas in the quarterfinals May 22 to set up another matchup with the Commodores (40-16). Vanderbilt topped No. 12 seed Oklahoma 6-1.

It's Round 4 of Tennessee baseball vs Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt won the regular-season series against Tennessee for the first time since 2021 when it took the final two games in Knoxville.

Tensions started in the first inning of the series finale and bubbled over after Cannon Peebles struck out with the bases loaded in a 7-5 loss. Vanderbilt players appeared to yell toward the Tennessee dugout at the start of the handshake process. Hunter Ensley, who was on third base when Peebles struck out, appeared to take exception to the way Vanderbilt players sprinted onto the field as he walked toward the dugout.

The teams converged and there were words exchanged as Tennessee coaches got between the teams to quell the confrontation with Vanderbilt players pointing at the scoreboard.

UT made three errors and left 12 on base in the series finale. Tennessee had a rough sixth inning in a 10-6 loss in Game 2 of the series.

Liam Doyle struck out 12 in seven shutout innings in a 3-2 win in Game 1. He allowed three hits and did not walk any, his second start this season without a walk.

Tennessee was 4-8 against Vanderbilt in Vitello's first four seasons. It won the next nine matchups and 10 of the next 12, including the win in the 2024 SEC Tournament semifinals.

Will Tennessee host a regional?

Tennessee entered the SEC tournament projected to be outside the top 16 seeds for the NCAA tournament, which would mean the Vols would play a regional on the road.

UT has potentially vaulted itself into a national seed and a regional host with its wins against Texas and Alabama.

A win against Vanderbilt would further solidify Tennessee's case. UT enters the game with 18 wins against SEC teams and an RPI of No. 10. As of May 23, its 43 wins are tied for the second-most in Division I.

The Vols have hosted three times in the past four seasons and have won four straight regionals.

Who will pitch for Tennessee baseball vs Vanderbilt?

Tegan Kuhns stands as a logical starting option against the Commodores as he has been the Game 3 starter late in SEC play.

Tanner Franklin and Dylan Loy are the top available bullpen arms. Brayden Krenzel could come back after throwing against Alabama on May 21. Andrew Behnke, Austin Breedlove and Michael Sharman have not pitched in the tournament.

Marcus Phillips, AJ Russell, Brandon Arvidson and Doyle are likely unavailable. Phillips and Russell pitched against Alabama. Doyle and Arvidson pitched against Texas. Arvidson also recorded an out against Alabama.

Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X @ByMikeWilson or Bluesky @bymikewilson.bsky.social. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.