Although winning the game was a huge storyline, the real storyline was the return of AJ Russell. Russell returned to the mound just 8 months after Tommy John surgery left him side

AJ Russell returned for Tennessee baseball against North Alabama on Tuesday. He had Tommy John surgery in June 2024.

Eighth-year Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello discussed Russell's first pitching performance in 2025 after Tommy John surgery. “I liked how good it looked because you knew, again, when the adrenaline or the game competitiveness kicks in, what's it going to be like,” Vitello said of Russell against North Alabama.