Tennessee Baseball Faces Rice After Impressive Victory Over Oklahoma State

HOUSTON — Tennessee baseball is set to continue its strong start to the season as the Vols face Rice on Saturday, March 4, at 12:05 PM ET, during the Astros Foundation College Classic at Daikin Park.

The Vols, boasting an undefeated record of 9-0, showcased their power hitting and pitching prowess in a 5-2 victory over Oklahoma State on Friday. Tennessee secured the win with four solo home runs, highlighted by a standout performance from Liam Doyle, who struck out seven batters. This brings Doyle’s season total to 32 strikeouts.

“Liam did an outstanding job for us on the mound,” Tennessee Coach Tony Vitello said. “His ability to mix pitches and maintain composure in critical moments really set the tone for the game.”

The Owls (2-6) enter Saturday’s game looking to rebound from a disappointing performance, where they were run-ruled 14-3 by Mississippi State in their tournament opener, resulting in an early exit after seven innings.

Despite their struggles, Rice has notched victories against Sam Houston and USC this season, suggesting they are capable of competing when their offense clicks. However, they will face a formidable Tennessee team that is expected to start right-hander Marcus Phillips, who has a 1.04 ERA after two games this season.

“We’ve got to adjust and find gaps in Tennessee’s pitching,” Rice Coach Jose Cruz Jr. said. “They have a lot of confidence, but we’ll bring our best game.”

The matchup is significant not only for standings but also for pride. The Vols are looking to maintain momentum and solidify their position as a top contender in the rankings, currently sitting at No. 3 in multiple polls including USA Today and D1 Baseball.

The Astros Foundation College Classic will also have run rules in effect throughout the weekend, adding an extra layer of intensity to each game. Each of the tournament games will be televised, providing fans ample opportunity to follow the action live.

As the Vols prepare to take the field against Rice, fans can follow live coverage on social media platforms including Twitter and Facebook, keeping up with all developments during the game.