No. 8 Tennessee (14-1) defeated Illinois (5-7), 6-3, on Friday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Rankings reflect the USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll.
Tennessee extended its winning streak to 13 games.
Friday’s contest was the first of a three-game series between the Vols and Fighting Illini.
Game No. 2 will take place on Saturday at 1 p.m. EST and can be watched on SEC Network+. Sunday’s series finale is slated for 1 p.m. EDT and can also be watched on SEC Network+.
PHOTOS: Tony Vitello through the years
Following Tennessee’s win against Illinois on Friday, seventh-year head coach Tony Vitello met with media. Vitello’s postgame press conference can be watched below.