Liam Doyle Breaks Tennessee Strikeout Record, Earns Golden Spikes Finalist Nod—Is He the Best Pitcher in Vols History?

In a season that will be remembered for dominance on the mound and moments of jaw-dropping brilliance, Tennessee Volunteers pitcher Liam Doyle has etched his name into the record books—and possibly into the pantheon of the program’s all-time greats.

Doyle, a powerful left-hander with a devastating fastball-slider combination, made history by surpassing Tennessee’s single-season strikeout record. With a thunderous roar from the Lindsey Nelson Stadium crowd, he recorded his 152nd strikeout of the year in a recent SEC Tournament game, officially breaking the long-standing mark and setting a new standard for pitching excellence in Knoxville.

The milestone was just the latest achievement in what has been a truly remarkable year for the junior ace. Doyle’s 2025 campaign has been a tour de force: a sparkling ERA under 2.00, a WHIP barely over 1.00, and the kind of mound presence that sends batters back to the dugout shaking their heads. His dominance hasn’t gone unnoticed—he was recently named a finalist for the prestigious Golden Spikes Award, an honor bestowed upon the top amateur baseball player in the country.

When Doyle arrived on campus, expectations were high. A top-ranked prospect out of New Hampshire, he brought with him an advanced feel for pitching, a competitive fire, and a frame built to log innings. But even his most optimistic supporters likely didn’t envision this kind of meteoric rise.

His sophomore season hinted at greatness—he posted strong numbers and was a key contributor on a deep postseason run. But this season, Doyle elevated his game to historic levels. Week after week, he dismantled some of the SEC’s most feared lineups. Whether it was mowing down LSU’s power hitters or quieting the bats of Florida and Arkansas, Doyle proved time and again that no stage was too big and no opponent too tough.

The record Doyle shattered belonged to former Vols standout Luke Hochevar, who struck out 149 batters during his legendary 2005 campaign. For nearly two decades, Hochevar’s mark had stood untouched—a symbol of pitching perfection in the orange and white.

But Doyle’s season has been about rewriting that history. With his blend of velocity, movement, and command, he’s averaged nearly 13 strikeouts per nine innings. His ability to dominate without relying solely on velocity sets him apart—Doyle pitches with precision, sequencing hitters into confusion and outsmarting them at every turn.

In the record-breaking game, Doyle fanned 11 over seven innings, displaying the same ruthlessness that has defined his season. The crowd erupted when the final strike crossed the plate, and Doyle was mobbed by teammates in a celebration befitting the moment.

Being named a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award cements Doyle’s place among the nation’s elite. The last Volunteer to earn that recognition was Todd Helton in the 1990s—a testament to how rare and remarkable Doyle’s season has been.

Should he win, Doyle would join an exclusive club that includes the likes of Buster Posey, Stephen Strasburg, and Adley Rutschman. Even if he doesn’t take home the trophy, his presence among the finalists confirms what many already believed: Doyle is one of the most dominant players in college baseball.

The comparisons are inevitable. Is Liam Doyle better than Luke Hochevar? Better than R.A. Dickey, the knuckleballer and longtime MLB veteran who wore the Tennessee orange in the 1990s?

Statistically, Doyle’s case is compelling. In fewer innings, he has outpaced many of his predecessors in strikeouts, ERA, and opponent batting average. His season sits alongside the best in school history—and it’s not over yet.