Tennessee baseball is one win away from securing the Knoxville Regional title and advancing to the Super Regional Round. The Vols are 2-0 in the Knoxville Regional after Saturday's 10-6 win against Cincinnati.
Marcus Phillips provided another quality start for Tennessee, pitching over six innings of work and totaling eight strikeouts while allowing three runs.
The Vols' offense was working early and often, so Cincinnati's three runs earned while Phillips was on the bump weren't much of a factor.
Several Tennessee batters, including Gavin Kilen, Andrew Fischer, and Dean Curley, produced at the plate. That trio totaled eight hits on the day and seven RBIs.
The championship game now awaits the winner of Cincinnati and Wake Forest on Sunday afternoon. The winner will face Tennessee in the regional final, while the loser will be eliminated from the postseason tournament.
AJ Russell came in to relieve Phillips in the seventh inning, and Brandon Arvidson earned his first career save after coming off a dominant SEC Tournament performance last week.
Tony Vitello mentioned the vibe has been a big part of Tennessee's success but hopes it continues to improve as the Vols go deeper into the postseason.
"Yeah, I mean, the vibe, on one hand, the whole year has been good," Vitello said postgame. "At the same time, if I'm going to be critical coach guy, it hasn't been as good as it can be this weekend. I mean, it's been great, but I think it can be even better.
"I mean, this is such a special deal. Marcus mentioned the crowd. I mean, to play at home maybe makes it a little bit sweeter. But overall, just to be involved in this thing is great. I never got to do it. I'm jealous, at least not as a player. So just need to enjoy it. So I think it's been good. It can get even better."
Tennessee is set to face Cincinnati or Wake Forest at 6:00 PM ET in the regional final on Sunday night. If Tennessee wins, it will advance to the Super Regional Round, but if it loses, it will have a rematch on Monday.