SCORE: Tennessee 4, Kent State 3 | FINAL

The Rocky Top Insider team mourns the tragic loss of long-time Tennessee athletics beat writer Wes Rucker.

If you are able and hoping to help the Rucker family, HERE is how.

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No. 13 Tennessee baseball (4-0) is set to host the Kent State Golden Flashes (3-1) Friday in game one of a three-game weekend series.

First pitch in Lindsey Nelson Stadium is at 4:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network +.

Tennessee opened the season with a series sweep over Nicholls last weekend, out-scoring the Colonels 27-3 across the three contests. The Vols followed it up with a stress-free 10-3 midweek win over UNC Asheville.

Blaine Brown has been the story for the Vols this young season. The sophomore slugger has been phenomenal at the plate, already with three home runs, and also logged a 1-2-3 inning with three Ks as the opener in Tuesday’s game vs. UNC Asheville.

Beyond Brown, Henry Ford and Reese Chapman have also excelled at the plate, each hitting over .400 on the season. Only four pitchers have allowed a run so far this season. Kuhns, who is starting Friday, is yet to give up a run.

The 2026 season is the first in the post-Tony Vitello era, as the former UT head man left last fall to become the San Francisco Giants manager. Vitello is the first person to ever become a head manager in the MLB with no big league coaching experience.

Vitello recently shared his thoughts on this year’s Tennessee’s team and spring training as he readies his Giants squad for the 2026 season.

With Vitello gone, the Josh Elander era – or ElandEra – is underway. There’s no better time for it to begin, as this weekend’s series marks the first in the newly renovated Lindsey Nelson Stadium. After years of work, LNS has become one of the SEC’s best parks. Check out all the changes below.

RENOVATIONS: Tennessee Athletics Brings Magnificent Changes to Lindsey Nelson Stadium Ahead of 2026 Baseball Season

RENOVATIONS LOOK: Tour of Tennessee Baseball’s Lindsey Nelson Stadium Renovations

In the first game at newly-renovated LNS last week, the stadium set a new attendance record with 6,977.

Tennessee enters 2026 returning a few key contributors from a year ago, including sophomores Levi Clark, Jay Abernathy, Manny Marin, Chris Newstrom and senior Reese Chapman.

Additionally, Stone Lawless and Ariel Antigua, who were fringe contributors for the 2025 team, begin the season as starters. Lawless figures to serve as Tennessee’s top catcher while Antigua will have the opportunity to be an every-day starter if he can be more effective at the plate.

Beyond the returners, transfers Ford and Brown are expected to be two of Tennessee’s top bats. By way of Virginia, Ford was Tennessee’s prized transfer portal land in the offseason. Brown is an electric two-way player from Rice. Do not be surprised if Ford and/or Brown hit 20+ home runs.

While there are plenty of familiar faces offensively, the pitching staff includes just four returners: Brandon Arvidson, Tegan Kuhns, Brayden Krenzel and Nic Abraham.

Kuhns was the opening day starter. Krenzel is a top relief arm. Abraham is a mid-tier bullpen arm with upside, and Arvidson could be Tennessee’s best pitcher on the staff.

For a full preview of the season, included projected accolades, pitching and lineup breakdowns, click the links below.

SEASON PREVIEW: Tennessee Baseball 2026 Season Preview: Accolades, Predictions

PITCHING PREVIEW

LINEUP PREVIEW

Opponent Scout

• • 2025 Record: 38-18 (23-7 MAC)
  • 2025 Postseason: N/A
  • 2026 MAC Preseason Poll: 2^nd
  • Head Coach: Jeff Duncan
    • Overall Record: 389-243 (13^th year)
    • Record at Kent State: Same
  • Preseason All-Conference Selections: N/A
  • The Golden Flashes won the MAC regular season title in 2025 before being upset in the conference tournament by Miami (OH).
  • Kent State swept Southeastern Louisiana opening weekend before giving LSU a run for their money in a midweek loss this week.

Info courtesy UT Athletics

Prediction: Vols sweep series

Kent State is the toughest opponent the Vols will have faced to date, but the Vols still find a way to win all three. It will not be as easy as opening weekend, however.

Injury/Availability Notes

• UTL Blake Grimmer is dealing with lower back soreness and is yet to make his season debut. TBD if he plays this weekend but is not in the starting lineup Friday.
• C/OF Garrett Wright had wrist surgery recently and figures to miss the Kent State series.
• Brandon Arvidson was OUT for the Nicholls series and may make his season debut vs. Kent State. He has thrown recently and looked good.
• Manny Marin was hit by a pitch the first weekend of February and has been held out in the last three games. He makes his return to the lineup Friday.

TRANSCRIPT: Everything Tennessee HC Josh Elander Said Following Midweek Win Over UNC Asheville

For all of RTI’s baseball coverage so far this season, click here.

For the latest RTI Diamond Pass podcast previewing the 2026 season, click HERE.

VIDEO: Josh Elander Talks Midweek Win Over UNC Asheville

Lineups, pitching matchup and additional pre-game notes are below, followed by the LIVE at-bat by at-bat game thread.

TENNESSEE STARTING NINE: 

3B Henry Ford (R)

DH Blaine Brown (L)

1B Levi Clark (R)

RF Reese Chapman (L)

C Stone Lawless (R)

SS Manny Marin (R)

LF Chris Newstrom (R)

CF Jay Abernathy (L)

2B Ariel Antigua (R)

Lineup Notes:

• Manny Marin back in the lineup after a three-game absence due to a sore hand.
• Newstrom and Antigua remain in the lineup.
• Everything else remains the same.

KENT STATE STARTING NINE: 

2B Grady Mee (R)

RF Sawyer Solitaria (R)

C Brody Williams (R)

3B Ripken Reese (R)

CF Micah Rienstra-Kiracofe (R)

1B Hunter Klotz (L)

SS Luke Matthews (R)

DH Kolton Schaller (L)

LF Alejandro Covas (R)

Pitching Matchup:

Vols So. RHP Tegan Kuhns (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 app., 1 starts, 6.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K, .091 opp. batting avg.)

vs.

Golden Flashes Sr. RHP Ciaran Caughley (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 app., 1 start, 5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K, .158 opp. batting avg.)

Pitching notes:

• Second straight Friday start for Kuhns. He was great in 6.2 innings last week.
• Nic Abraham was the first and only arm out of the bullpen last Friday.
• Caughley logged an impressive season debut for the Flashes last week.

Uniforms

Tennessee: Icy Whites

Kent State: Grey tops and bottoms with navy and yellow accents

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*NOTES*

• Run-rule is NOT in effect all weekend.

---

GAME THREAD

1st Inning: 

T1

-Grady Mee HBP.

-Sawyer Solitaria reaches on a fielder’s choice. Mee out at second, 5-4.

-Brody Williams pops up to 2B.

-Ripken Reese flies out to CF.

END OF TOP HALF

B1

-Henry Ford flies out to CF.

-Blaine Brown works a walk.

Brown advances to second on a balk.

-Levi Clark strikes out swinging on three pitches.

-Reese Chapman flies out to CF.

• Nice leaping catch by Micah Rienstra-Kiracofe.

END OF TOP HALF

Score: Vols 0, Golden Flashes 0

2nd Inning: 

T2

-Micah Rienstra-Kiracofe pops up to SS.

-Hunter Klotz grounds out to 3B.

-Luke Matthews HBP.

-Kolton Schaller strikes out looking.

END OF TOP HALF

B2

-Stone Lawless grounds out to 3B.

-Manny Marin singles up the middle.

-Chris Newstrom flies out to 2B.

-Jay Abernathy works a walk. Marin to second.

-Ariel Antigua strikes out looking.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 0, Golden Flashes 0

3rd Inning: 

T3

-Alejandro Covas flies out to RF.

-Grady Mee grounds out to 2B.

• Phenomenal play by Ariel Antigua.

-Sawyer Solitaria works a walk.

-Brody Williams grounds into a 6-4 fielder’s choice. Solitaria out at second.

• Great play. by Manny Marin. Dove to stop the ground ball in the gap and made the toss to Ariel on time.

END OF TOP HALF

B3

-Henry Ford works a walk.

-Blaine Brown flies out to SS.

• Odell-esque catch by Luke Matthews. Reached back and got it while leaving his feet.

-Levi Clark works a nine-pitch walk. Ford to second.

-Reese Chapman slaps a single to right field. Runners advance.

• Bases loaded with one out for Stone Lawless.

-Stone Lawless infield fly to 1B.

-Manny Marin strikes out swinging.

• Strands the bases loaded.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 0, Golden Flashes 0

4th Inning: 

T4

-Ripken Reese flies out to LF at the warning track.

-Micah Rienstra-Kiracofe HBP.

• 3 hit by pitches today.

-Hunter Klotz grounds out to 1B unassisted. Rienstra-Kiracofe safe at second.

-Luke Matthews knocks an RBI single to left field, advances to second on the throw. Rienstra-Kiracofe safe at home.

Matthews advances to third on a passed ball.

-Kolton Schaller strikes out swinging.

END OF TOP HALF

B4

-Chris Newstrom flies out to CF.

-Jay Abernathy strikes out swinging.

-Ariel Antigua grounds out to SS.

END OF BOTOM HALF

Score: Vols 0, Golden Flashes 1

5th Inning: 

T5

-Alejandro Covas grounds out to 3B.

-Grady Mee works a walk.

-Sawyer Solitaria flies out to RF.

Mee steals second.

-Brody Williams strikes out swinging.

• Kuhns got him with a 95 mph fastball for strike three.

END OF TOP HALF

B5

*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Jordan Kolenda (1-0, 6.75 ERA) on to pitch for Caughey*

-Henry Ford flies out to RF.

-Blaine Brown strikes out swinging.

-Levi Clark flies out to CF.

• Great diving catch by Rienstra-Kiracofe. He’s made a couple nice defensive plays today and Kent State has as a team as well.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 0, Golden Flashes 1

6th Inning: 

T6

-Ripken Reese works a leadoff walk.

*Brayden Krenzel is warming up in the bullpen*

-Micah Rienstra-Kiracofe grounds out to 3B. Reese to second.

-Hunter Klotz strikes out swinging.

*Pitching change: So. RHP Brayden Krenzel (0-0, 0.00 ERA) on to pitch for Kuhns*

-Luke Matthews strikes out swinging, out at first C to 1B.

END OF TOP HALF

B6

–– Tegan Kuhns FINAL LINE: 5.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 4 K, 3 HBP, 91 pitches (52 strikes) ––

-Reese Chapman cracks a ground-rule double to left-center.

-Stone Lawless flies out to CF. Chapman tags up and reaches third.

-Manny Marin sends a sac fly to RF. Chapman scores.

-Chris Newstrom is walked.

-Jay Abernathy drills a two-run homer off the scoreboard. Newstrom scores.

• 1st homer of the season. 2nd of his career.
• 362 feet, 103 mph

-Ariel Antigua works a walk.

*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Brody Krzysiak (0-0, 0.00 ERA) on to pitch for Kolenda*

-Henry Ford flies out to RF.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 3, Golden Flashes 1

7th Inning: 

T7

-Kolton Schaller strikes out swinging.

-Alejandro Covas strikes out swinging.

-Grady Mee strikes out looking.

• Strong 1-2-3 inning from Krenzel.

END OF TOP HALF

B7

-Blaine Brown pops up to SS.

-Levi Clark grounds out to 2B.

-Reese Chapman grounds out to 3B.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 3, Golden Flashes 1

8th Inning: 

T8

-Sawyer Solitaria HBP.

-Brody Williams strikes out looking on three pitches.

Solitaria advances to second on a wild pitch.

• Great play by Ariel to nab an errant throw by Stone Lawless in shallow center, preventing Solitaria from advancing to third, maybe further.

-Ripken Reese grounds out to 2B. Solitaria advances to third.

-Micah Rienstra-Kiracofe smacks an RBI single up the middle. Solitaria scores.

*Pitching change: Sr. LHP Mark Hindy (0-0, 0.00 ERA) on to pitch for Krenzel*

-Hunter Klotz flies out to CF.

END OF TOP HALF

B8

-Stone Lawless singles up the middle.

-Manny Marin grounds into a 6-4-3 double play.

-Chris Newstrom drops a single into right field.

-Jay Abernathy grounds out to 3B.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 3, Golden Flashes 2

9th Inning: 

T9

*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Bo Rhudy (0-0, 0.00 ERA) on to pitch for Hindy*

-Luke Matthews HBP.

*Nolan Belcher pinch-hitting for Kolton Schaller*

-Nolan Belcher strikes out swinging.

*Max Humphrey pinch-hitting for Alejandro Covas*

-Humphrey lays down a beautiful bunt single to P. Matthews to second.

Kent State challenging a foul ball call on a 1-2 pitch, saying the ball hit Grady Mee. The challenge was successful.

-Grady Mee HBP.

• Bases loaded with one out for Sawyer Solitaria.
• 6 HBPs now TIES A PROGRAM-RECORD (Feb 25, 2017 vs. UC Irvine)

-Sawyer Solitaria rips an RBI single through the left side to score Matthews. Mee to second. Humphrey to third.

*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Brady Frederick (0-0, 9.00 ERA) on to pitch for Rhudy*

• Bases loaded with one out for Brody Williams

-Brody Williams grounds into a 5-2 fielder’s choice. Safe at first.

• Bases loaded with two outs for Ripken Reese.

-Ripken Reese grounds out to 3B.

• Nice back to back plays by Henry Ford. Routine, but he had no hesitation in his play.

END OF TOP HALF

B9

*Pitching change: Sr. RHP Caden Leonard (0-0, 0.00 ERA) on to pitch for Krzysiak*

*Humphrey to LF*

*Tyler Myatt pinch-hitting for Ariel Antigua*

-Tyler Myatt crushes a no-doubt walk-off homer over the batter’s eye.

• 2nd HR of the season for Myatt.
• 434 feet, 111 mph.

Score: Vols 4, Golden Flashes 3

END OF GAME

FINAL: Tennessee Vols 4, Kent State Golden Flashes 3