Tennessee baseball opens its defense of last season's national championship with a three-game home series against Hofstra beginning Friday.

It took Tennessee baseball no time at all to get going on the 2025 season. The Volunteers put up three first inning runs, and never looked back. Hunter Ensley knocked in Dean Curley, then newcomer Gavin Kilen got home on a wild pitch.

It didn't take long for the Volunteers to jump out to a big lead over over-powered Hofstra as they continued where they left off as defending national champs in

Friday marked the first meeting between Tennessee and Hofstra all time. The Vols also improved to 78-36-2 in season openers and 4-1 in home season openers under head coach Tony Vitello. Vitello is 6-2 on opening day at Tennessee since 2018. The Vols have recorded four shutout wins on opening day under the eighth-year head coach.

Tennessee did not immediately give a reason for moving the game times. UT is defending the national title, which it won in June at the College World Series. It is the first title in program history. Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics.