SCORE: Tennessee 11, Oakland 2 | FINAL

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No. 19 Tennessee baseball (9-3) is set to battle Oakland (1-10) Wednesday in a midweek contest at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

First pitch in Knoxville is at 4:00 p.m. ET on SEC Network +.

Wednesday’s contest serves as the second of two midweek matchups for Tennessee this week. The Vols impressively defeated ETSU 7-1 Tuesday.

ETSU is a very strong mid major team and Tennessee’s pitching staff dominated its hitters. If it wasn’t for Tennessee opener Blaine Brown throwing 11 consecutive balls in the first inning, ETSU wouldn’t have scored.

Taking into account the level of competition and Tennessee’s collective performance on the mound and at the plate, it was arguably the Vols’ best game of the season.

Prior to the ETSU midweek, Tennessee went 2-1 last week in Arlington, Texas, as part of the Amegy Bank College Baseball Seris.

The Vols lost Friday’s game to UCLA, 12-5, before beating Arizona State and Virginia Tech, 5-3 and 3-1. UT’s offense mostly struggled throughout the weekend, but strong pitching carried UT to a pair of much-needed victories over the Sun Devils and Hokies.

Relievers Cam Appenzeller, Brady Frederick, Mark Hindy and Brayden Krenzel all had good-to-great outings out of the bullpen. Evan Blanco turned in a solid start, Landon Mack worked through trouble beautifully in his start and Tegan Kuhns arguably pitched the best he has all season in a 10-strikeout performance despite giving up three homers.

Recaps from all three games at Globe Life Field, and a full weekend recap, are below.

GAME ONE RECAP: Tennessee Baseball Surrenders Five Home Runs in Loss Against UCLA

GAME TWO RECAP: Four-Run Inning and Strong Pitching Lead Tennessee Baseball to Victory Over Arizona State

GAME THREE RECAP: Tennessee Baseball’s Pitching Shines in Low-Scoring Win Over Virginia Tech

WEEKEND TAKEAWAYS: Five Takeaways From Tennessee Baseball’s Winning Weekend In The Lone Star State

Chris Newstrom was Tennessee’s highlight offensively, tallying four hits in the first two games. The sophomore followed up a strong weekend with a two-hit day. Levi Clark also looked much better at the plate, hitting back-to-back doubles in games two and three on the weekend, along with a 404-foot fly ball Sunday.

Vibes were low after Friday’s loss to UCLA. After cutting the deficit to one run against the Bruins with a four-run sixth inning, Tennessee’s bullpen collapsed to allow six seventh-inning runs, resulting in a seven-run loss.

Tennessee’s response, while the offense struggled the majority of Saturday and Sunday, was important to see. Now, the Vols have the opportunity to continue their momentum with five home games this week and began the week with a bang with Tuesday’s win.

Opponent Scout

• 2025 Record: 19-41 (10-20 Horizon)
• 2025 Postseason: N/A
• 2026 Horizon League Preseason Poll: 5^th
• Head Coach: Brian Nelson
  • Overall Record: 20-51 (2^nd year)
  • Record at OU: Same
• Preseason All-Conference Selections: No Team Released

Info courtesy UT Athletics

Prediction: Tennessee wins by 10+ runs

Oakland is an easy midweek matchup. Maybe Tennessee’s easiest opponent all year. Vols handle business easily against a putrid opponent.

Injury/Availability Notes

• Blake Grimmer and Garrett Wright are BACK as they make their starting lineup debuts Wednesday.
• First appearance for Grimmer. Wright was a defensive sub last Tuesday in the 9th inning.

TRANSCRIPT: Everything Tennessee Baseball HC Josh Elander Said After ETSU Win

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, Tennessee Baseball Talk After Win Over ETSU

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

TENNESSEE STARTING NINE: 

2B Jay Abernathy (L)

3B Henry Ford (R)

LF Blaine Brown (L)

RF Reese Chapman (L)

1B Blake Grimmer (L)

CF Garrett Wright (R)

SS Chris Newstrom (R)

C Trent Grindlinger (R)

P/DH Taylor Tracey (L)

Lineup Notes:

• Lots of changes.
• Levi Clark day off.
• Grindlinger at catcher (first catcher start of season)
• Grimmer start at 1B (season debut)
• Garrett Wright start at CF (starting lineup debut), Abernathy moves to second.
• First SS start for Newstrom this season.
• Tracey, a two-way player Tennessee really likes, gets a crack at the starting lineup while also starting on the mound.

OAKLAND STARTING NINE: 

RF Aidan Schuck (R)

SS Kyle Revere (R)

1B Lucas Day (L)

LF Tony Konopiots (R)

2B Carter Hain (R)

CF Aidan Orr (L)

C Ben Clark (R)

DH Nick Mardis (R)

3B Boston Halloran (R)

Pitching Matchup:

Vols LHP Taylor Tracey (0-0, 2.70 ERA, 3 app., 0 starts, 3.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 0 XBH, .167 opp. batting avg., 1.20 WHIP)

vs.

Oakland LHP George Hansen (0-1, 30.86 ERA, 2.1 IP, 5 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 6 BB, 2 K, 5 XBH, 4.71 WHIP)

Pitching notes:

• Tracey has been solid in his midweek appearances but struggled out of the bullpen against UCLA Friday.

Uniforms

Tennessee: Midweek pins

Oakland: Grey shirts and pants with black hats

---

*NOTES*

• There is NO run-rule.

---

GAME THREAD

1st Inning: 

T1

-Aidan Schuck strikes out swinging.

-Kyle Revere strikes out swinging.

-Lucas Day lines out to 1B.

END OF TOP HALF

B1

-Jay Abernathy drops a single into center.

-Henry Ford singles up the middle. Abernathy to third.

Ford steals second.

-Reese Chapman reaches on an RBI fielding error by 1B. Abernathy scores. Ford to third.

• Ball went into Lucas Day’s glove and bounced back out. Ugly defensive mistake.

-Blake Grimmer smokes a two-run double off the left-center wall.

-Garrett Wright HBP.

-Chris Newstrom reaches on a fielder’s choice to SS. Wright out at second, 6-4. Grimmer to third.

• Should’ve been an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play but the second baseman made a very poor throw.

-Trent Grindlinger grounds out to 2B.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 3, Golden Grizzlies 0

2nd Inning: 

T2

-Tony Konopiots strikes out swinging.

-Carter Hain strikes out looking on three pitches.

-Aidan Orr grounds out to 2B.

• 6 up, 6 down for Tracey with 4 Ks.

END OF TOP HALF

B2

-Taylor Tracey flies out to RF.

-Jay Abernathy strikes out looking.

-Henry Ford flies out to CF.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 3, Golden Grizzlies 0

3rd Inning: 

T3

-Ben Clark strikes out looking.

-Nick Mardis strikes out looking.

-Boston Halloran strikes out looking.

• 3 more Ks brings Tracey’s game total to 7 Ks.

END OF TOP HALF

B3

-Blaine Brown drives a double to right field.

• Right fielder misjudged it a bit and it sailed over his head.

-Reese Chapman delivers an RBI single through the right side.

-Blake Grimmer singles through the right side. Chapman to second.

Runners steal second and third.

-Garrett Wright strikes out swinging.

-Chris Newstrom sends an RBI groundout to 2B. Chapman scores. Grimmer to third.

-Trent Grindlinger knocks an RBI single to right-center. Grimmer scores.

-Taylor Tracey strikes out swinging.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 6, Golden Grizzlies 0

4th Inning: 

T4

*Pitching change: So. RHP Nic Abraham (0-0, 1.35 ERA) on to pitch for Tracey*

-Aidan Schuck HBP.

-Kyle Revere fouls out to 1B.

-Lucas Day strikes out swinging.

-Tony Konopiots grounds into a 6-4 fielder’s choice. Schuck out at second.

END OF TOP HALF

B4

-Jay Abernathy flies out to LF.

-Henry Ford works a walk.

-Blaine Brown powers a two-run homer to right field.

• Team-leading 5th HR on the season.
• 363 feet, 100 mph

-Reese Chapman grounds out to SS.

-Blake Grimmer ropes a double down the LF line.

-Garrett Wright sends a bunt single to 1B. Grimmer to third.

-Chris Newstrom strikes out looking.

• 8-pitch at-bat.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 8, Golden Grizzlies 0

5th Inning: 

T5

-Carter Hain singles to right field.

-Aidan Orr pops out to third base.

-Ben Clark strikes out swinging.

-Nick Mardis strikes out looking.

END OF TOP HALF

B5

*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Stephen Ruhle (0-0, 10.80 ERA) on to pitch for Hansen*

-Trent Grindlinger strikes out swinging.

*Tyler Myatt pinch-hitting for Taylor Tracey*

-Tyler Myatt strikes out swinging.

-Jay Abernathy works a walk.

Abernathy caught stealing second, 2-6.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 8, Golden Grizzlies 1

6th Inning: 

T6

*Pitching change: Fr. RHP Jax Bishop (season debut) on to pitch for Abraham*

*Ariel Antigua to 2B for Jay Abernathy*

*Evan Hankins to 1B for Blaine Brown*

*Hunter High to RF for Reese Chapman*

*Grimmer to LF*

-Boston Halloran strikes out swinging.

-Aidan Schuck lines out to SS.

-Kyle Revere knocks a solo homer to left field.

-Lucas Day grounds out to SS.

END OF TOP HALF

B6

-Henry Ford flies out to LF.

-Hunter High works a walk.

-Evan Hankins flies out to CF.

-Blake Grimmer strikes out swinging.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 8, Golden Grizzlies 1

7th Inning: 

T7

*Pitching change: Fr. LHP Will Haas (season debut) on to pitch for Bishop*

*Finley Bates to 3B for Henry Ford*

-Tony Konopiots rips a solo homer to left field.

-Carter Hain strikes out looking on three pitches.

-Aidan Orr strikes out swinging.

-Ben Clark singles up the middle.

*Jack Lux pinch-hitting for Nick Mardis*

-Jack Lux flies out to CF.

END OF TOP HALF

B7

*Pitching change: Fr. RHIP Will Paxson (0-0, 0.00 ERA) on to pitch for Ruhle*

*Shuck to CF*

*Cameron Spezia to RF for Aidan Orr*

*Mason Palermo to C for Ben Clark*

-Garrett Wright HBP.

• 2nd today.

-Chris Newstrom pops up to 2B in shallow right field.

-Trent Grindlinger reaches on a fielding error by RF. Wright to second.

• Dropped a fly ball. Misjudged it a bit causing him to lunge to try and make the catch. Got his glove on it but couldn’t come up with it.

-Tyler Myatt lines out to SS.

Runners advance on a passed ball.

-Ariel Antigua hammers a three-run homer to the left-field porches.

• 366 feet, 99 mph
• 1ST CAREER homer for Ariel and it’s a beauty.

-Finley Bates HBP.

-Hunter High flies out to CF.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 11, Golden Grizzlies 2

8th Inning: 

T8

*Pitching change: Fr. RHP Ethan Baiotto (0-0, 20.25 ERA) on to pitch for Haas*

*Manny Marin to SS for Chris Newstrom*

-Boston Halloran lines out to 1B.

-Aidan Schuck grounds out to SS.

-Kyle Rever strikes out swinging, out at first C to 1B.

END OF TOP HALF

B8

*Pitching change: LHP Daniel Duley (0-0, 13.50 ERA) on to pitch for Paxson*

-Evan Hankins pops up to 2B.

*Nate Eisfelder pinch-hitting for Blake Grimmer*

-Eisfelder fouls out to 3B.

-Garrett Wright singles to left field.

-Manny Marin walks. Wright to second.

-Trent Grindlinger grounds into a 6U fielder’s choice. Marin out at second.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 11, Golden Grizzlies 2

9th Inning: 

T9

*Pitching change: Fr. LHP Chandler Day (0-0, 27.00 ERA) on to pitch for Baiotto*

*High to LF*

*Eisfelder to RF*

-Lucas Day strikes out swinging.

*Pitching change: Fr. RHP Sawyer Deering (0-0, 9.00 ERA) on to pitch for Day*

-Tony Konopiots grounds out to SS.

*Sam Griffith pinch-hitting for Carter Hain*

-Sam Griffith flies out to LF.

END OF TOP HALF

Score: Vols 11, Golden Grizzlies 2

END OF GAME

FINAL: Tennessee Vols 11, Oakland Golden Grizzlies 2

 

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