Tennessee Pitchers Make History with a No-Hitter Against St. Bonaventure
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Volunteers put on a dominant performance in their series-opening game against St. Bonaventure on Friday, securing a commanding 12-0 victory. However, the highlight of the night came on the mound, where five Tennessee pitchers combined to throw a no-hitter, marking the ninth such achievement in the program’s history.
Leading the charge was junior left-handed pitcher Liam Doyle, who continued his stellar season by striking out 13 batters over 5.2 innings. Doyle was nearly untouchable, retiring 17 consecutive batters at one point after issuing a walk to both the first and last hitter he faced. His win improved his record to 3-0 for the season, and he now boasts an impressive 47 strikeouts in just 20.1 innings of work.
After Doyle’s dominant start, four other Tennessee pitchers took over to seal the historic no-hitter. Tanner Franklin recorded one out, while Brandon Arvidson, Brayden May, and Michael Sharman each pitched a full inning, shutting down St. Bonaventure’s lineup completely. Their combined effort marked the first no-hitter for Tennessee since 2002.
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Tennessee’s Offense Continues Its Explosive Start
While the pitching staff was putting on a historic performance, the Volunteers’ offense remained red-hot, blasting four home runs to extend their NCAA-leading total to 42 for the season. Tennessee’s bats came alive in the second and sixth innings, where they scored 10 of their 12 runs.
Four different players contributed to the home run barrage:
Cannon Peebles
Dalton Bargo
Gavin Kilen
Andrew Fischer
Each of these hitters not only homered but also finished the night with multiple RBIs, further showcasing Tennessee’s offensive firepower.
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No-Hitters in Tennessee Baseball History
Tennessee’s no-hitter on Friday night was the first in over two decades. The last time the Volunteers achieved this feat was on February 15, 2002, when Jeffery Terrell single-handedly pitched a no-hitter in a 5-0 victory over Bowling Green.
Before that, Tennessee’s last combined no-hitter occurred on February 21, 2000, against the College of Charleston. In that game, five pitchers—Kurt Scott, Brad Love, Logan Brummitt, Marlyn Tisdale, and Brandon Crowe—joined forces to secure a 14-1 victory in Charleston, South Carolina.
Friday’s no-hitter added another historic moment to the Volunteers’ baseball program, reinforcing their dominance on the mound.
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Extending Streaks: Chapman, Clark, and Others Shine
Tennessee’s victory also featured several key performances from players who continued impressive streaks:
Reese Chapman extended his hitting streak to 14 games with a single in the second inning.
Levi Clark kept his own streak alive, collecting a hit in his ninth straight game with an RBI single in the fifth.
Several Volunteers also stretched their on-base streaks into double digits:
Gavin Kilen
Andrew Fischer
Reese Chapman
Hunter Ensley (13-game streak after recording two hits)
These consistent performances have been key in Tennessee’s dominant start to the season.
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What’s Next for the Vols?
Tennessee will attempt to tie the program record for the longest undefeated start to a season when they take on St. Bonaventure again in Game 2 of the series on Saturday.
Currently sitting at 14-0, the Volunteers are just one win away from matching the best start in program history, which was set by the 2019 team that started 15-0.
Saturday’s game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start and will be streamed on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app.
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Final Thoughts
Tennessee’s dominant 12-0 victory over St. Bonaventure was a night to remember, not just because of the score but due to the historic no-hitter thrown by five pitchers. Led by Liam Doyle’s 13-strikeout performance, the Volunteers continued to prove why they are the top-ranked team in the nation.
At the plate, Tennessee’s powerful offense kept rolling, launching four more home runs and increasing their NCAA-leading home run total. With multiple players extending their impressive hitting streaks, the Vols are proving they can dominate in all aspects of the game.
As they look ahead to Game 2 on Saturday, Tennessee is just one win away from tying their best start in history. If they keep playing at this level, there’s no telling how far this team can go.
