Tennessee Baseball Scrimmage Notes and Observations: Jan. 29
The Tennessee Volunteers baseball team is now just 16 days away from kicking off their 2025 season, set to take on Hofstra at Lindsey Nelson Stadium in Knoxville.
The team’s preparations for the new season are in full swing, including a recent 3.5-inning intra-squad scrimmage that took place on Tuesday afternoon. The session featured three different pitchers and gave fans and coaches a glimpse of the team’s potential as the season approaches. Here are some key takeaways and observations from the scrimmage:
Key Highlights:
The scrimmage was punctuated by two impressive home runs from left-handed hitters. Reese Chapman, a junior who is looking to make a bigger impact this season, crushed a two-run home run to straightaway center field in the first inning. The other home run came off the bat of Louisville transfer Gavin Kilen, who sent a two-run shot down the left field line.
Both players are expected to be pivotal in Tennessee’s lineup, with Kilen having proven his abilities at a high level last season at Louisville. Chapman, though talented, has struggled with consistency in his career, but his power in this scrimmage shows his potential to contribute significantly in 2025.
Both of these long balls came against freshman right-handed pitcher Nic Abraham, who worked for just over two innings and allowed three runs. Abraham showed promise but struggled with command at times, a common challenge for young pitchers adjusting to the college game.
Additional Scoring:
The only other run of the scrimmage came courtesy of Stone Lawless, who delivered an RBI single to left field, driving in Dean Curley. Lawless had previously reached base on a throwing error during his first at-bat, which came after a hard-hit ball to third base. This showed Lawless’ ability to make things happen on the field, whether it’s through a solid hit or capitalizing on an error.
Pitching Performance:
While the offense garnered some attention, it was the pitching performances that helped shape the scrimmage. Freshman left-hander Brayden Krenzel had an impressive outing, working through some early trouble to keep the opposing team off the scoreboard.
Krenzel allowed two hits, walked a batter, and hit another but managed to escape unscathed. He was effective on the mound, earning four outs on ground balls and striking out one batter. A highlight of his performance was a leaping catch made by outfielder Ariel Antigua, who robbed Dalton Bargo of extra bases with a spectacular catch, preventing a potential run from scoring.
Another standout pitcher was sophomore left-hander Luke Payne. Payne delivered a dominant performance, striking out five batters in two innings of work. He allowed just one baserunner—a walk—further solidifying his role as a potential key arm in Tennessee’s bullpen or rotation.
Other Notable Offensive Performances:
Beyond the home runs, a few players also had solid performances at the plate. Freshman Cannon Peebles contributed a sharp single up the middle, while Dean Curley continued to show his skills with a double down the left field line and a walk. Blake Grimmer and Brooks Wright also collected singles during the scrimmage, demonstrating depth in Tennessee’s lineup heading into the season.
Absent Players:
Not all of Tennessee’s talented roster participated in the scrimmage. Freshman Jay Abernathy missed the session due to illness, and star Ole Miss transfer Andrew Fischer was also absent, though the reason for his absence remains unclear. Tennessee will be hoping for their return as they prepare for the start of the season.
Looking Ahead:
As the Volunteers continue to fine-tune their roster in preparation for the 2025 season, performances like those from Kilen and Chapman are encouraging, especially with the season opener rapidly approaching. The team’s pitching depth, showcased by Krenzel and Payne, looks promising, and the lineup appears to have plenty of firepower.
With only a few weeks left before their season debut, Tennessee’s baseball team is shaping up to be a formidable force in 2025.
