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Super Again! #14 Vols Down Demon Deacons to Advance Fifth Straight Super Regional

Posted on June 3, 2025

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 14 Tennessee is Super Regional bound once again after defeating Wake Forest, 11-5, in a decisive seventh game of the NCAA Knoxville Regional on Monday night at a raucous Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

A seven-run explosion in the fourth inning was the difference as the Volunteers won their fifth consecutive regional to secure a spot in this weekend’s NCAA Fayetteville Super Regional against No. 3 seed Arkansas.

UT’s fourth-inning outburst was punctuated with a pair of home runs from Manny Marin and Andrew Fischer to break the game wide open and send the sellout crowd into a frenzy. Marin’s three-run shot to right-center field was just his third of the season while Fischer’s two-run blast was his team-leading 24^th long ball.

Marin, a true freshman, had his best game of the season, finishing 3-for-3 with two runs and three RBIs to lead Tennessee (46-17) at the plate.

The Vols’ got key outings out of a handful of different pitchers on Monday night, starting with junior righthander AJ Russell, who got the starting nod and struck out three batters over 1.2 innings to get things rolling.

Freshman righty Brayden Krenzel pitched the next 2.2 frames, allowing just one hit while striking out three to earn his third win of the year.

Dylan Loy and Tanner Franklin followed, allowing just one run on two hits over the next 2.1 innings before handing the ball off to Liam Doyle. The junior ace took it from there, retiring the final seven Wake Forest hitters on the game in order while striking out five of them to earn his first save of the season.

Doyle Breaks UT Single-Season Strikeout Record

With his five punchouts on the night, Doyle moved past Vols’ legend Luke Hochevar as the program’s single-season strikeout leader with 158, breaking Hochevar’s 2005 record of 154.

Tennessee NCAA Regional Dominance

With Monday’s victory, Tennessee improved to 18-3 in NCAA regional play under head coach Tony Vitello and has now won five consecutive regionals (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025). The Vols are 16-1 in home regional games since Vitello arrived on Rocky Top, as well.

UT had four players voted onto the Knoxville All-Regional team, led by Doyle, who was also named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player after going 1-0 and recording a save in two appearances. The Derry, New Hampshire, native pitched nine innings and allowed just one earned run on four hits while striking out 16 batters.

Fischer (1B), Dean Curley (2B) and Marin (3B) were also named to the all-regional team.

Up Next

The Big Orange will head back to Fayetteville for a rematch against the Razorbacks in this weekend’s super regional. Arkansas won two of three games against Tennessee in the final series of the regular season at Baum-Walker Stadium just a few weeks ago.

The schedule for all eight of the NCAA super regionals will be announced on Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. (ET) via a press release and the NCAA Baseball social media channels.

Courtesy / UT Athletice

#7 Lady Vols Drop Semifinal Matchup vs. #6 Texas, 2-0

Posted on June 3, 2025

OKLAHOMA CITY – No. 7 Tennessee’s season came to an end Monday afternoon, falling to sixth-ranked Texas, 2-0, in the semifinals of the Women’s College World Series.

Facing elimination, the Lady Vols (47-17) ran out of gas following several impressive showings at Devon Park during the last week. The Longhorns (54-11) received a strong outing from their pitchers and defense, as the Big Orange finished with just three hits and two walks in seven innings, while striking out seven times and leaving five runners on base.

In the circle, Karlyn Pickens had her best showing of the week, striking out nine batters and allowing just five hits and one earned run on the day. During the third inning, she became just the third Lady Vol ever to record 300 strikeouts in a single season, joining Monica Abbott (2004-07) and Stephanie Humphrey (2002). She finished the year with 306 punchouts, moving her into sixth on the program’s single-season leaderboard.

Two of UT’s three hits in the contest came as singles from the duo of Taylor Pannell and Laura Mealer, who enjoyed two of the best WCWS performances in program history. Pannell tallied eight hits throughout the week, marking the most by a Lady Vol ever in a single trip to Oklahoma City, to go along with five runs scored and three runs batted in.

For Mealer, she posted seven hits throughout the four-game stretch, which is tied for the second most in a single WCWS with India Chiles (2007). She will always be remembered for her heroics against No. 9 UCLA, when she had the walk-off single to left field and three RBIs on the day to send the Lady Vols to a second semifinals appearance in three seasons.

Both teams were scoreless through the first three innings, but in the bottom of the fourth, Texas’ Katie Stewart got under a pitch and sent it just over the left field wall for a solo home run. The Longhorns added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth on a throwing error, making it a 2-0 game.

12th Annual Covenant Health Big Kahuna Labor Day Festival 8/31/25

Posted on June 2, 2025

Sunday, August 31st
3pm – 9pm

The World’s Fair Park Performance Lawn

Tickets On Sale Soon!

Charitable Auction coming soon!

The Big Kahuna Wing Festival has become one of the best culinary and firework events in the region. Every year, attendees from all over the Southeast enjoy thousands of pounds of wings, including flavors from around the world, cooking and eating competitions, live entertainment, kid’s activities, and the most comprehensive pyro musical fireworks show around. Come enjoy the fun this Labor Day weekend!

More info

The Big Kahuna Wing Festival has become one of the best culinary events in the region. Last year the festival attendees enjoyed over 100 different sauces from 25 different teams representing restaurants, cooking teams, businesses, and The University of Tennessee Culinary Institute. Attendees and visitors come from all over the region. All for the love of the “Buffalo Wing” and to raise money for charity.

Tickets on sale soon!

Competition Applications

Become a Sponsor

EAT Judging Information

Presented by

ABOUT THE BIG KAHUNA LABOR DAY FESTIVAL

In 2011, Matt Beeler traveled to Memphis to be a part of the local Hot Wing Festival. It was there that he discovered something that was missing from his hometown on the other side of the state. With all the wing lovers in the East Tennessee area why wasn’t there a festival to celebrate Wings!

Upon returning to Knoxville, he began the process of building a wing festival with the intent to donate 100% of the proceeds local charities, asking the community for its support. That was over 13 years ago and over $630,000 in charitable contributions! Now, the wing festival has evolved into a full-fledged Flavor Day event with great live music, numerous family activities, and the much-anticipated Pyro musical fireworks show!

WVLT

‘Medical Emergency’ Contributed to Gatlinburg Crash that Injured Seven People, THP Says

Posted on June 2, 2025

Gatlinburg, TN (WOKI) UPDATE: We’re learning more now about a crash Sunday afternoon in downtown Gatlinburg that injured several people.

Officials with the Tennessee Highway Patrol confirming that seven people were injured when a minivan “accelerated unexpectedly” in the 700 block of Parkway, struck a pedestrian in the crosswalk and then collided with several vehicles.

THP says one of the cars the minivan hit crashed into a road sign which then fell and hit another pedestrian.

Officials say THP’s early investigation shows some sort of medical emergency contributed to the crash.

ORIGINAL STORY: An investigation is underway after several people are taken to the hospital after a multi-car crash in downtown Gatlinburg.

Our news partner WVLT reporting the crash happened in the 700 block of Parkway in the downtown area yesterday afternoon.

Three people were flown to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, while three others were taken to the hospital by ambulance.

The crash shut down the roadway for several hours.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol is assisting the Gatlinburg Police Department with the investigation.

*One of the cars the minivan hit crashed into a road sign, THP said, which then fell and hit another pedestrian*. (*Courtesy*: *WVLT*)

Tennessee’s Tax-Free Weekend to return in July

Posted on June 2, 2025

Nashville, TN (WOKI) Though kids in Tennessee have just begun to enjoy being out of school for the summer, you may want to plan now for back-to-school shopping.

That’s because the State of Tennessee has announced its popular tax-free weekend where you can secure back-to-school essentials such as clothing, school supplies, and certain electronics, tax-free.

We have the complete list of qualifying items and price points below:

Clothing

Tax-Free: General apparel that costs less than $100 per item. Things like shirts, pants, socks, shoes and dresses.
Not Tax-Free: Items over $100, jewelry, handbags and sports equipment

School Supplies

Tax-Free: School supplies that are less than $100 per item. Think backpacks, pencils, notebooks and art supplies.
Not Tax-Free: School supplies more than $100 each.

Computers

Tax-Free: Computers less than $1,500. Laptops and tablets as well.
Not Tax-Free: Storage media like flash drives, printer supplies or household appliances.

This year’s tax-free holiday is slated for Friday, July 25 through Sunday, July 27.

*Tennessee’s tax-free weekend to return in July*. (*Pexels*)

WVLT

Knoxville Man Pleads Guilty to Multiple Charges in Fatal 2024 Shooting

Posted on June 2, 2025

A Knoxville man has pleaded guilty to several charges in connection to a deadly shooting that happened last year.

Knox County District Attorney Charme Allen’s office says 40-year-old Latawyne Osborne pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree murder, three counts of attempted first degree murder and one count of aggravated sexual battery. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

In April 2024, a shooting at a home on Gilbert Lane in South Knoxville killed 22-year-old Danishka Mejia and injured three other people, including Osborne.

Officials with the Knoxville Police Department called it a heinous crime, saying the day before the murder, Mejia had reported she was a victim of sexual assault and named Osborne as the assaulter, which ultimately led to him also being charged with rape.

There were three other people indicted in connection to the deadly shooting: Edward Wilson, Marquis Ellis and Angela Greenburg. Wilson and Ellis face several charges, including first-degree murder, and Greenburg, who is Osborne’s mother, was indicted on charges of tampering with evidence and accessory after the fact.

WVLT

An Investigation is Underway after a Man Reported Fired Shots a Knoxville Home

Posted on June 2, 2025

A Knoxville man is facing several charges after authorities say he fired shots at a home.

WVLT reporting that Knoxville Police were called to a home on Gratz Street Saturday night after receiving multiple reports that a truck pulled into a driveway and a man, identified as 40-year-old Travis Murrah, got out, fired rounds in the direction of the home and left.

Officers were able to find the truck speeding down Broadway and when officers pulled the truck over, there was a strong odor of alcohol and Murrah had slurred and mumbled speech and was unsteady on his feet. Officers found guns in the truck, along with an empty shell casing.

Murrah, who is the son of a man who lives at the home, was taken back to the scene, where a witness told officers he was outside but ran inside after the shots were fired.

He is charged with reckless endangerment involving a deadly weapon, possession of a handgun while under the influence and DUI.

Courtesy / UT Athletics

#14 Vols Fall Short Against Demon Deacons, Will Play Decisive Game Seven on Monday Night

Posted on June 2, 2025

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 14 Tennessee battled back from a four-run deficit in the middle innings but was unable to come away with the win in game six of the NCAA Knoxville Regional on Sunday night, falling to Wake Forest, 7-6, at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

The Demon Deacons, who were the home team on the scoreboard in Sunday’s contest, loaded the bases with nobody out before pulling out the win with a walk-off walk by Jack Winnay to force a decisive game seven on Monday night for a spot in next weekend’s super regionals.

Andrew Fischer once again was among the Vols’ most productive hitters, finishing 2-for-5 with three RBIs, including a two-run blast over the batter’s eye in the top of the fifth to cut UT’s deficit from four to two runs.

Another two-run homer tied the game in the top of the sixth as freshman Levi Clark deposited a 3-1 pitch into the Tennessee bullpen for his 10^th long ball of the season.

Gavin Kilen also had a solid night at the dish with a run scored and an RBI double to plate the Vols’ first run of the game in the top of the third inning.

Despite a rocky start to his outing, Brandon Arvidson pitched well and kept the Big Orange in the game with a career-high 12 strikeouts over 5.1 innings of relief. UT’s pitchers combined to strike out 17 batters to set a program-record for most punchouts in an NCAA tournament game.

Logan Lunceford started and pitched five solid innings for Wake Forest (39-21), striking out three while allowing four runs (two earned) on five hits. Haiden Leffew picked up the win for the Demon Deacons after retiring the side in order in his lone inning of work.

Regional Winning Streak Snapped

Sunday’s defeat snapped a 14-game winning streak in the NCAA regionals for UT. It was also the Vols’ first home loss in a regional since falling to Wake Forest, 10-3, on May 27, 2001. Tennessee went on to defeat the Demon Deacons later that day to win the regional and advance to its first super regional in program history.

Up Next

Tennessee and Wake Forest will square off in a decisive final game of the NCAA Knoxville Regional on Monday night at 6 p.m. (ET) on ESPN2. The winner will advance to next weekend’s NCAA Super Regional round to face the winner of the Fayetteville Regional.

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Posted on June 2, 2025

Courtesy / UT Athletics

Mealer’s Walk-Off Single Sends #7 Lady Vols to WCWS Semifinals

Posted on June 1, 2025

OKLAHOMA CITY – In a game that featured plenty of high-stakes situations and tension-filled drama, Laura Mealer played the hero during No. 7 Tennessee’s 5-4 victory over ninth-ranked UCLA, hitting a walk-off single in the ninth inning to send the Lady Vols to their second Women’s College World Series semifinal appearance in the last three seasons.

After a Taylor Pannell double and back-to-back walks for Sophia Nugent and McKenna Gibson, Mealer roped a 2-2 pitch between the shortstop and third baseman for her second hit and third RBI of the game. It marked UT’s third walk-off victory at the WCWS in program history, joining Tonya Callahan’s 2-run shot to lift the Big Orange over No. 1 Michigan (2005) and Tory Lewis’ RBI single against No. 11 Washington (2013).

It was the second bases-loaded hit for Mealer on the day, as she opened the scoring in the first inning with a 2-RBI single. The other two runs for the Big Orange came off the bat of Pannell, who hit her first long ball of the postseason and 16th on the year in the bottom of the fifth inning.

In the circle, Karlyn Pickens picked up her 25th victory of the season after striking out seven batters and stranding 10 on the bases. She worked out of a tight jam in the top of the ninth against the heart of the UCLA lineup, helping Tennessee (47-16) to its first win against the Bruins (55-13) since 2011.

UT is back in action Monday at noon ET, as Tennessee takes on No. 6 Texas on ESPN in the semifinals. The Big Orange needs a victory to keep its postseason alive, and a win would force a doubleheader with the second game starting 30 minutes after the first.

The Lady Vols struck in the opening frame for the third straight game of the week, as Mealer’s first single drove in Pannell and Ella Dodge. The Bruins answered in the top half of the second thanks to a pair of solo home runs, evening things up at 2-2.

That’s where the score would remain until the bottom of the fifth inning, when Pannell’s second hit of the day was a 2-run bomb over the left field wall to make it a 4-2 ballgame. The swing in momentum was started by a Gabby Leach single after eight straight UT batters had been retired.

Down to their last out, UCLA’s Megan Grant hit a game-tying 2-run homer over to center field, tying things at 4-4. However, the play came with some drama, as Grant appeared to miss home plate. After review, it was determined that she did miss the plate but was assisted back to the plate before leaving the area, which is not reviewable, meaning the play was upheld.

Super Again! #14 Vols Down Demon Deacons to Advance Fifth Straight Super Regional