Levi Clark describes his grand slam versus Samford that won the game.

When it comes to moments that define a season, few are as unforgettable as a walk-off grand slam. And for Levi Clark, a pivotal player for the Tennessee Volunteers baseball team, his clutch grand slam against Samford in a high-stakes game will forever stand as one of the most exhilarating experiences of his career. This was no ordinary home run—it was a game-winning hit, a moment that not only secured a thrilling victory for Tennessee but also encapsulated Clark’s resilience, growth, and the kind of baseball magic that makes the game so captivating.

As the dust settled from Tennessee’s dramatic 8-4 win over Samford, Clark was left to reflect on what had transpired—how he went from being a part of the team’s offensive struggles earlier in the game to becoming the hero with a swing that sent the ball sailing over the fence. His grand slam wasn’t just about raw power or skill—it was the culmination of everything he had worked for, and for him, it was a moment of personal redemption and affirmation.

In this article, Clark opens up about that unforgettable moment at the plate, the emotions that flooded his mind as the ball soared into the night sky, and how his journey to that point was shaped by determination, support from his teammates, and an unyielding drive to rise to the occasion.

The Setup: A Close Game Full of Tension

It was a critical game in the SEC, one that Tennessee couldn’t afford to lose if they hoped to maintain their momentum in the conference standings. Samford, a solid opponent with a competitive roster, was playing with confidence. The game had been a tense, back-and-forth affair, with both teams struggling to find consistent offense early on.

The Volunteers had battled through several innings, but by the eighth, they found themselves trailing Samford 4-3. It wasn’t just the score that weighed on their minds—it was the mounting pressure. Tennessee’s offense had struggled to get going, and with only one inning left, they knew they had to come up with something special if they were to avoid a frustrating loss.

Levi Clark, who had been quietly contributing all season with timely hits, wasn’t having his best game up until that point. His bat hadn’t quite found its rhythm, and after a couple of unsuccessful at-bats, it seemed like the game was slipping away from the Volunteers. But Clark had become accustomed to the ebb and flow of the season—he knew that in baseball, anything can happen in the blink of an eye. And with the game on the line, he was determined to be the player to deliver.

The At-Bat: Calm Under Pressure

It was in the bottom of the ninth inning, with the Volunteers facing a one-run deficit, that Clark would get his moment—an at-bat with the game on the line. Tennessee had loaded the bases after a walk, a single, and a sacrifice bunt. The crowd at Lindsey Nelson Stadium was buzzing, and you could feel the tension in the air. Samford’s pitcher, who had been effective all night, now had to deal with the pressure of facing the heart of Tennessee’s lineup in a clutch situation.

Clark stepped into the batter’s box, his focus narrowing as he adjusted his helmet and settled into his stance. As he took his practice swings, he couldn’t help but think about everything that had led him to this moment. It wasn’t just the game—it was all the hours in the batting cages, all the early mornings, the late-night film sessions, and the sacrifices he had made. In that split second, Clark was able to push all those thoughts aside. He had one job: deliver for his team.

“I knew the game was on the line,” Clark recalls. “It was a high-pressure situation, and the guys in the dugout were really counting on me. But I also knew that if I could stay calm and just focus on the pitch, I’d give myself a chance to succeed. You’ve got to take the moment in, but not let it overwhelm you. I knew I had the ability to do it.”

The pitcher, who had been solid all game, delivered his first pitch—a fastball high and outside. Clark didn’t bite, taking it for a ball. He knew the pitcher would be looking to make a perfect pitch to get him out, but Clark wasn’t going to chase anything outside the strike zone. The next few pitches came, and Clark stayed disciplined, working the count to 3-1. With the bases loaded and the game on the line, Clark was in a prime position to get a pitch he could drive.

The tension in the ballpark was palpable. The Samford pitcher, knowing the stakes, tried to calm himself, but the reality was that the pressure was mounting. Clark, on the other hand, was calm and collected. He knew this could be the defining moment of his season, his career even, but he didn’t let that cloud his mind. He was simply waiting for his pitch.

“I just kept telling myself, ‘See the ball, hit the ball.’ You can’t get too caught up in everything around you. It’s about sticking to your process,” Clark explains.

The Grand Slam: A Swing That Changed Everything

Then, on the 3-1 count, it happened. The pitcher fired another fastball, this one over the heart of the plate. Clark’s eyes locked onto it as his bat swung through the strike zone with the kind of precision that only comes when everything aligns. The crack of the bat was unmistakable—a sound that, in the moment, seemed to reverberate through the stadium. As the ball left his bat, Clark immediately knew that it was gone.

“I felt it off the bat. It was one of those swings where you don’t even have to look; you just know,” Clark says with a smile. “I knew it was high enough, and I just focused on running the bases. At that point, I knew I had done my job. But you can’t let yourself get too ahead of the moment—there’s still work to do.”

The ball sailed over the left-field fence, clearing it by several feet. The crowd erupted in deafening cheers, and the Tennessee dugout emptied as Clark rounded the bases. The grand slam not only gave Tennessee the 8-4 win but also sent a wave of excitement and relief through the team. For Clark, it was the culmination of a journey of perseverance, focus, and the belief that he could rise to the occasion.

“I don’t think you can fully appreciate the gravity of it until after the game,” Clark reflects. “In the moment, it’s all about running the bases and being happy that we won. But when you sit back and think about it, you realize how much it means—not just for the team, but for me personally. To come through in that moment, with the bases loaded and the game on the line, it’s the kind of moment you dream of as a kid. It’s something I’ll never forget.”

A Moment of Redemption: Overcoming Challenges

For Clark, this grand slam wasn’t just a walk-off hit—it was a personal redemption. He had been in a bit of a slump leading up to that game, struggling to find his timing and consistency at the plate. But the moment proved that baseball is a game of ups and downs, where a single swing can change everything.

“I had a rough stretch earlier in the season,” Clark admits. “It was frustrating because I knew I was better than what I was showing. But that’s part of the game. You can’t get discouraged. You have to keep working, keep grinding, and trust that your time will come. That grand slam, to me, was the result of all the hard work I put in, all the struggles, and all the hours spent trying to get better. It felt like everything clicked at once.”

Clark’s resilience in the face of adversity has been a key part of his development as a player. Baseball is a game that can humble even the most talented athletes, and Clark has experienced the highs and lows that come with being in the spotlight. But that grand slam represented more than just a game-winning hit—it was a reflection of Clark’s growth, both as a player and as a person.

The Impact on the Team: A Boost of Confidence and Energy

While Clark’s grand slam was certainly the highlight, it was also a moment that galvanized the entire Tennessee baseball team. The win over Samford was a significant one, but it was the way the Volunteers rallied around Clark that showed the strength of their camaraderie and team chemistry. As Clark crossed home plate, his teammates were quick to embrace him, celebrating not just the victory but the perseverance that led to it.

“The energy in the dugout was electric,” Clark recalls. “Everyone was so excited—not just for me, but for the team. This is what we’ve been working for all season. It wasn’t just about me hitting the grand slam; it was about all of us playing together, trusting each other, and knowing that we had the ability to win. When we stay focused and play as a team, good things happen.”

Head coach Tony Vitello, who has seen his share of clutch moments during his tenure at Tennessee, was also full of praise for his star player after the game. “Levi has worked so hard to get to this point,” Vitello said. “That grand slam was a great example of his growth and his ability to rise to the occasion when it matters most. It was a huge moment for the team, and it shows what kind of player and person Levi is.”

Looking Ahead: More Big Moments for Levi Clark

The grand slam against Samford is a moment that will forever be etched in the history of Tennessee baseball, but for Clark, it’s just another chapter in what he

hopes will be a long and successful career. As Tennessee continues its pursuit of an SEC title and a deep run in the NCAA tournament, Clark knows that he’ll have many more opportunities to shine. But no matter what the future holds, he will always look back at that grand slam as one of the defining moments of his career—an unforgettable, game-winning swing that embodied everything he’s worked for.

“Being able to come through for the team in that moment, it’s something I’ll carry with me forever,” Clark says. “But this team is special, and we’ve got a lot of big moments ahead. This is just the beginning.”