Stop us if you've heard this before -- Liam Doyle did the heavy lifting in a no-hitter for the University of Tennessee.
The fireballing southpaw struck out eight batters as he pitched the bulk of a no-hitter Friday in a seven-inning 10-0 run-rule win over SEC opponent Texas A&M. He issued two walks and hit two batters but utilized his swing-and-miss stuff and a timely double play in the fifth inning to avoid any damage.
And so Doyle helped make history once again just four starts after he led the Volunteers to their first no-hitter since 2002 on March 7.
Doyle currently ranks as the No. 75 prospect in the 2025 Draft but is pitching his way into first-round consideration. The 6-foot-2 lefty leads the nation with 81 strikeouts and a 48.5 percent K rate that just dropped below 50 percent for the first time this season.
Yes, striking out eight batters in six frames lowered his strikeout rate.
Doyle has an unconventional approach, throwing his fastball nearly seven out of every 10 pitches, something no qualified starter has done in the big leagues since Shelby Miller in 2013. No qualified starter threw a pitch even 60 percent of the time last season. But with a violent delivery and exceptional rise on that fastball, especially impressive from his three-quarters release, he's fooled many of the best hitters in college.
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Doyle posted imposing strikeout numbers in his freshman campaign at Coastal Carolina (29.2 percent) and sophomore season at Mississippi (34.7 percent), but his ERA (4.15 in '23, 5.73 in '24) didn't reflect his dominance. It's only since transferring to Tennessee that he's unlocked his potential, as evidenced by his 2.22 ERA for the defending champions.
"I just got put in such a great situation between the coaching staff, all the people around us, the strength coach, the nutritionist, they've just been so helpful for me," Doyle said on the broadcast after the game. "Changing the body all winter, going to work all winter and just being with the best coaching staff of the best team in the country, I couldn't ask for much more. I'm certainly blessed to be here."
Doyle struck out an astounding 69.1 percent of batters he faced in four non-conference starts -- capped off by the no-no against St. Bonaventure. Over four SEC starts, he's amassed a 34.3 percent K rate.
Questions remain about his nascent secondary pitches and effortful delivery, which keep some evaluators from labeling him a top-of-the-first-round talent. But he has plenty of time left this season to change minds -- and maybe throw another no-hitter.