Tennessee does it again with Liam Doyle leading the way
Tennessee threw the second combined no-hitter of the season Friday night in a 10-0 run-rule win over Texas A&M in seven innings. If that’s not impressive enough, both of those no-hitters were games started by lefty Liam Doyle.
“Unfortunately, yeah,” Doyle said when asked if he was aware of the no-hitter in progress. “It is what it is. Being a part of two no-hitters in the same year is pretty incredible. [I’m] blessed to be a part of it.”
The lefty went six innings with eight strikeouts. Doyle walked two and hit two batters, but didn’t give up a hit over his 96-pitch night. Dylan Loy came in for the top of the seventh and made quick work to end the night.
Doyle was the first of five legs that tackled St. Bonaventure in no-hit fashion early this season. Throwing to this dangerous lineup of Tennessee hitters day in and day out has only helped him when taking the mound every Friday night.
“Practicing against the best lineup in the country, it makes these weekends feel much easier,” the pitcher beamed. “Getting to go against great hitters all fall was really fun and being here and working with the guys every day, just so lucky to have that.”
Friday’s no-hitter was the 10th in program history and the fifth in combined fashion. It was the second of the season and the first in Southeastern Conference play since Vanderbilt combined for a no-no over Kentucky in 2022.
The last time Tennessee threw multiple no-hitters in a single season was 1976.
“Yeah, still wasn’t necessarily perfect tonight but pretty good blocking it out and just going inning by inning and locking in and getting the next guy out,” Doyle continued. “Throwing the next pitch, trying to wipe everything that just happened away and throw the next pitch.”
Top 10
- 1Breaking
Florida tops Houston
Gators are champs
- 2New
Predicting Final AP Poll
Projected Top 25 after Florida crowned
- 3Hot
Way-Too-Early Top 25
Looking ahead to 2025-26 hoops
- 4
Jay Bilas
Calls out ACC in defense of Duke
- 5
Mouhamed Dioubate
Alabama transfer commits to Kentucky
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
Doyle was aggravated by a blister that popped up in the sixth inning that forced him out of the game by inning’s end. He didn’t return for the seventh, but at 96 pitches, his night was nearing an end anyway. The pitcher downplayed the issue in postgame, however, and assured he’d be ready to go.
“It’s fine,” Doyle assured. “Just like a little nagging injury. Nothing to worry about. Be ready for next week.”
At the end of the day, the transfer from Ole Miss knows he is in the right place. With the village of support surrounding him here at Tennessee, Doyle is ready to keep making history with the Vols this year while trying to win the last game of the season.
“I just got put in such a great situation. The coaching staff. All the people around us. Strength coach. Nutritionist, Beth [Schartz]. They have been so helpful for me. Changing the body and going to work all winter. Just being with the best coaching staff and the best team in the county, couldn’t ask for much more. Sure am blessed to be here.”
