Happy Opening Day. Tennessee baseball begins a new season and new era Friday afternoon as they face Nicholls in game one of a three-game series to begin the 2026 season. The Vols begin the new season at a new look Lindsey Nelson Stadium which now has the bulk of its massive renovation project done.
None of Tennessee’s games are on television this weekend but all are available on streaming. Here’s how to watch and more details on the Vols’ season-opening series.
More From RTI: Tennessee Athletics Brings Magnificent Changes to Lindsey Nelson Stadium Ahead of 2026 Baseball Season
How To Watch: Tennessee baseball vs. Nicholls
Game one: 4:30 p.m. ET on Friday, Feb. 13
Announcers — PxP: Andy Brock. Analyst: Cody Hawn
Streaming — SEC Network+
Game two: 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, Feb. 14
Announcers — PxP: Zack Nelson. Analyst: Cody Hawn
Streaming — SEC Network+
Game three: 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 15
Announcers — PxP: Zack Nelson. Analyst: Cody Hawn
Streaming — SEC Network+
A New Era Begins
It will feel different when No. 24 makes his way to home plate to exchange lineups with the opposing coach and umpires compared to No. 22. But it’s a new day for Tennessee baseball.
Josh Elander takes over as the Vols’ head coach after spending the last eight years as Tony Vitello’s top assistant. It won’t be Elander’s first game as acting head coach due to past Vitello suspensions, but it will be his first time on the top step as the leader of the Tennessee baseball team.
Between Elander’s first game and it being the first game at a stadium that looks significantly different compared to last season, Tennessee can make the season opener a day of good vibes and celebration with a drama free victory.
Tennessee’s Starting Pitching Plan
Tennessee baseball’s starting pitching plan is set for the opening weekend of the season. Josh Elander will give the ball to right-handed pitcher Tegan Kuhns to begin the season followed by Rutgers right-handed pitcher Landon Mack and Virginia left-handed pitched Evan Blanco.
The right-handed Kuhns was Tennessee’s Sunday starter as a true freshman a season ago, posting a 2-4 record, 5.40 ERA and 1.61 WHIP in 36.2 innings pitched.
Mack was a weekend starter for the Scarlett Knights a season ago, posting a 6-5 record, 4.03 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 80.1 innings pitched. He totaled 70 strikeouts for a 20% strikeout rate while posting a fantastic 4.9% walk rate.
Blanco posted a 3-5 record, 6.23 ERA and 1.72 WHIP in 39 innings pitched while dealing with an injury during his junior season at Virginia. Blanco was much more effective during his sophomore season when he posted an 8-3 record, 3.62 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 99.1 innings pitched.
A Quick Look Colonels
Nicholls is entering its second season under head coach Brent Harring. A season ago, the Colonels posted a 17-32 (10-20 Southland) record but the expectation is that they’ll take a step forward next season.
The Southland coaches picked Nicholls to finish fifth in the preseason poll, coming in behind Lamar, Southeastern, McNeese and UTRVG.
Right-handed pitcher Nuno Parache will start on Friday, left-handed pitcher Austin Vargas will start on Saturday and right-handed pitcher Haden Luke will start on Sunday.
