Sports

Tennessee Slugger Mimics Showboating Opponent With HR Taunt After No-Doubt Grand Slam

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Tennessee baseball players watch from the dugout.

© Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images


The Tennessee baseball team took down UNC Asheville in midweek action on Tuesday, 29-4. The Volunteers overcame an early deficit in that contest to land their fourth straight victory.

The Bulldogs prematurely showboated after taking a 3-1 lead in the top of the second frame. It aged, oh, so poorly.

UNC Asheville jumped out to that early advantage thanks to a three-run bomb off the bat of catcher Coleman McGinnis. The slugger threw his hand in the air while rounding the bases before the dugout let out an emphatic “Boom” when he crossed home plate.

A number of Volunteer fans took the celebration as a sign of disrespect. They wouldn’t have to wait long to see the home team return the favor.

Tennessee erupted for nine runs in the bottom of the frame, highlighted by a Dalton Bargo grand slam. The blast was Bargo’s second of the inning. He mimicked McGinnis’s taunt his second time around the bases.

Bargo raised his finger in the air at second base. He then hit a similar celebration with teammates upon returning to the dugout. The move seemed calculated given what had previously transpired.

The Tennessee baseball team has never been shy about its showboating under head coach Tony Vitello. The Vols have embraced their leader’s confident persona on the diamond. They’ve also been able to back it up.

The program won the national championship in 2024. It’s gotten off to a quick start in that title defense this season.

As for Tuesday, the Vols were far from done in the scoring department after that second inning. They racked up a season-high 29 runs on the night, outscoring the Bulldogs 28-1 after that McGinnis home run.

Tennessee is now 4-0 on the year. All four of those games have ended early by run rule. They’ll host Samford in the second weekend series of the ’25 campaign.