SCORE: Tennessee 2, Vanderbilt 3 | FINAL (Vandy leads series 1-0)
***SCROLL DOWN FOR LIVE AT-BAT BY AT-BAT FEED***
No. 21 Tennessee baseball (18-7, 3-3 SEC) is set to battle the Vanderbilt Commodores (14-12, 2-4 SEC) Friday in game one of a three-game series in Nashville.
First pitch in Lindsey Nelson Stadium is at 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
Games two and three will be on television as well, with SEC Network broadcasting game two and ESPN2 airing game three.
For a full preview of the series, including pitching matchups and more, click HERE.
Tennessee enters the weekend on a three-game winning streak after taking games two and three to win the Missouri series last weekend. Tuesday, the Vols claimed a narrow 4-2 midweek win over USC Upstate.
Against Mizzou, the Vols were surprisingly dominated in an 8-4 series-opening loss before achieving a 4-2 victory in game two and 7-1 win in game three.
The series win was massive for Tennessee, as UT desperately needed to win the home series against one of the worst teams in the league.
Read recaps of all three games below.
GAME ONE RECAP: Tennessee Baseball Surrenders Eight Runs in Series-Opening Loss to Missouri
GAME TWO RECAP: Tennessee Baseball Evens Missouri Series With Narrow Game Two Victory
GAME THREE RECAP: Evan Blanco Shines as Tennessee Baseball Wins Series Against Missouri
In Tennessee’s game one loss to Missouri, starting pitcher Tegan Kuhns struggled, allowing four runs on six hits in a season-low 3.0 innings.
Kuhns’ struggles continued a theme of subpar performances at home, and overall Kuhns has been too inconsistent.
His performances led to Tennessee making a change in its starting rotation. Head coach Josh Elander opted to put lefty Brandon Arvidson in the game one starter spot over Kuhns, effectively demoting the sophomore to the bullpen.
It remains to be seen if Kuhns will be the top option out of the bullpen for the Vols Friday. Tennessee will start righty Landon Mack starter and senior LHP Evan Blanco Sunday as they’ve done all season.
PITCHING: Tennessee Baseball Making Change To Weekend Rotation Ahead Of Vanderbilt Series
Opponent Scout
In part due to injuries, it’s been a very shaky start to the season for Vanderbilt. The Commodores played in two neutral site tournaments in non conference play and combined to go 1-5 in those games including losses against UC Irvine and Oklahoma State.
The Commodores opened up SEC play strong, taking two out of three games at home against LSU. But things went much worse last weekend at Mississippi State when the Bulldogs swept the three-game series including a run-rule win in game three.
Vanderbilt had lost five straight games before they bounced back with a victory over Tennessee Tech on Tuesday night. The Commodores have been good at home this season with most of their issues coming away from home.
- 2025 Record: 43-18 (19-11 SEC)
- 2025 Postseason: NCAA Nashville Regional (1-2)
- 2026 SEC Preseason Poll: 8th
- Head Coach: Tim Corbin
- Overall Record: 1,084-611-1 (30th year)
- Record at VU: 978-473-1 (24th year)
- Preseason All-Conference Selections (2):
- DH/UTL Braden Holcomb (2nd Team), SP Connor Fennell (2nd Team)
SERIES HISTORY
- Overall: Vols lead, 189-170-2
- In Knoxville: Vols lead, 101-62-1
- In Nashville: Commodores lead, 103-81-1
- At Neutral Sites: Vols lead, 7-5
- Last 10 Meetings: Series tied, 5-5
Info courtesy UT Athletics in italics
POLLS
Below is where Tennessee is ranked in various preseason polls.
- D1 Baseball: 21 (up 1)
- D1 Baseball rankings will be referenced by RTI all season.
- Baseball America: 20 (up 3 spots)
- Perfect Game: 21 (no change)
- USA Today Coaches Poll: 21 (up 2 spots)
- NCBWA: Unranked (no update)
Prediction: Vanderbilt wins by 1-3 runs
Expect a close one Friday. Tennessee has the pitching advantage but given the Vols’ lack of consistency offensively, Vandy takes the opener at home.
Injury/Availability Notes
- Garrett Wright is still working his way back to 100 percent from his hamate bone surgery, so it will be a bit before he catches.
- Ariel Antigua is managing a banged up shoulder but hasn’t been unavailable.
- Henry Ford back in the lineup after missing Tuesday’s game due to illness.
TRANSCRIPT: Everything Tennessee HC Josh Elander Said Following Walk-Off Win Over USC Upstate
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 Details Series-Evening Win Over Missouri
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 Blake Grimmer (L)
3B Henry Ford (R)
LF Blaine Brown (L)
RF Reese Chapman (L)
C Stone Lawless (R)
CF Garrett Wright (R)
SS Manny Marin (R)
DH Tyler Myatt (L)
1B Levi Clark (R)
Lineup Notes:
- Myatt gets the DH nod after having some big pinch hits as of late.
- Grimmer still in the leadoff spot and occupying second.
- Levi Clark gets the 1B start with Grimmer at second.
- No Jay Abernathy, Ariel Antigua or Chris Newstrom.
VANDERBILT STARTING NINE:
LF Mike Mancini (L)
DH Colin Barczi (R)
2B Brodie Johnston (R)
3B Braden Holcomb (R)
RF Logan Johnstone (L)
CF Rustan Rigdon (S)
1B Chris Maldonado (R)
SS Ryker Waite (S)
C Korbin Reynolds (R)
Pitching Matchup:
Vols R-Jr. LHP Brandon Arvidson (1-0, 3.52 ERA, 6 app., 0 starts, 15.1 IP, 12 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 5 BB, 21 K, 3 XBH, .218 opp. batting avg., 1.11 WHIP)
vs.
Commodores Jr. RHP Connor Fennell (2-1, 5.74 ERA, 6 app., 6 starts, 31.1 IP, 31 H, 21 R, 20 ER, 8 BB, 43 K, 11 XBH, .248 opp. batting avg.)
Pitching notes:
- Tennessee makes a big change in the rotation opting with Brandon Arvidson to start Friday. He’s been mostly good out of the bullpen this season. TBD if Kuhns will come out of the pen in game one.
- Fennell has had a rough year but has had a good Vandy career.
Uniforms
Tennessee: Smokey Greys
Vanderbilt: Black and Gold pinstripes
*NOTES*
- Run-rule is MANDATORY in SEC play. If Tennessee or Vanderbilt leads by 10 or more runs in M7 or later, the game is over.
GAME THREAD
1st Inning:
T1
-Blake Grimmer grounds out to 2B.
-Henry Ford flies out to RF.
-Blaine Brown grounds out to 1B unassisted.
END OF TOP HALF
B1
-Mike Mancini grounds out to 2B.
-Colin Barczi strikes out swinging.
-Brodie Johnston grounds out to 3B.
- 9-pitch inning for Arvidson.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 0, Commodores 0
2nd Inning:
T2
-Reese Chapman strikes out swinging.
-Stone Lawless flies out to CF in right field.
-Garrett Wright HBP.
Wright steals second.
-Manny Marin strikes out swinging.
END OF TOP HALF
B2
-Braden Holcomb strikes out swinging.
-Logan Johnstone singles to 1B.
- Hit Clark’s glove and bounced out. Hard-hit ball. Couldn’t make the 3-1 putout in time.
-Rustan Rigdon pops up to 1B.
Johnstone caught stealing, 2-4.
- Delayed steal and Lawless’ throw easily beat him. Grimmer waiting there to make the tag.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 0, Commodores 0
3rd Inning:
T3
-Tyler Myatt out at first 1B to P.
- Really nice play by Chris Maldonado down the 1B line as Myatt made hard contact.
-Levi Clark grounds out to SS.
-Blake Grimmer is walked.
-Henry Ford strikes out swinging.
END OF TOP HALF
B3
-Chris Maldonado flies out to LF.
- Deep left field.
-Ryker Waite drives a double down the LF line.
- Ford dove but very very hard play to make.
-Korbin Reynolds strikes out swinging.
-Mike Mancini walks.
-Colin Barczi works a walk.
- Bases loaded with two outs for Brodie Johnston.
-Brodie Johnston chops an RBI single to SS.
- Slow hopper allowing Johnston to leg it out and Waite to score.
- Bases loaded with two outs for Braden Holcomb
-Braden Holcomb strikes out swinging.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 0, Commodores 1
4th Inning:
T4
-Blaine Brown strikes out swinging.
-Reese Chapman pops up to SS.
-Stone Lawless strikes out swinging.
END OF TOP HALF
B4
-Logan Johnstone strikes out swinging.
-Rustan Rigdon strikes out swinging.
-Chris Maldonado grounds out to 2B.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 0, Commodores 1
5th Inning:
T5
-Garrett Wright lines out to 2B.
-Manny Marin strikes out swinging.
-Tyler Myatt grounds out to 2B up the middle.
- Into the shift.
END OF TOP HALF
B5
-Ryker Waite flies out to RF.
- Really nice running catch by Chapman.
-Korbin Reynolds powers a solo homer to right field.
-Mike Mancini strikes out swinging.
-Colin Barczi flies out to RF.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 0, Commodores 2
6th Inning:
T6
-Levi Clark strikes out looking.
-Blake Grimmer ropes a double to right field.
-Henry Ford slaps a single to left field. Grimmer to third.
Grimmer steals home, Ford out stealing second.
- Purposely gets caught in a pickle. Stop steal.
-Blaine Brown strikes out swinging.
END OF TOP HALF
B6
*Pitching change: So. RHP Tegan Kuhns (1-2, 4.35 ERA) on to pitch for Arvidson*
–FINAL LINE for Brandon Arvidson: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 54 strikes on 86 pitches–
-Brodie Johnston singles up the middle.
-Braden Holcomb singles through the left side.
-Logan Johnstone strikes out swinging.
-Rustan Rigdon strikes out swinging.
Holcomb caught stealing second, 2-4.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 1, Commodores 2
7th Inning:
T7
-Reese Chapman pops up to 1B.
-Stone Lawless grounds out to 3B.
- Good play by Holcomb.
-Garrett Wright strikes out swinging on three pitches.
- 7-pitch inning.
END OF TOP HALF
B7
-Chris Maldonado out at first 1B to P.
-Ryker Waite singles through the right side.
-Korbin Reynolds strikes out swinging.
-Mike Mancini works a walk. Waite to second.
Waite steals third.
-Colin Barczi flies out to CF.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 1, Commodores 2
8th Inning:
T8
-Manny Marin singles to right field.
- Johnstone almost made a sliding catch.
*Jay Abernathy pinch-hitting for Tyler Myatt*
Marin advances to second on a throwing error by P, failed pickoff attempt.
-Jay Abernathy grounds out to 3B, sac bunt. Marin to third.
- Great bunt to move Marin over, setting up the sac opportunity.
*Pitching change: RHP Luke Guth (1-1, 3.60 ERA) on to pitch for Fennell*
-Levi Clark sends an RBI single to left-center.
Clark advances to second on a wild pitch.
-Blake Grimmer works a walk.
*Pitching change: RHP Brennan Seiber (2-1, 3.44 ERA) on to pitch for Guth*
-Henry Ford grounds into a 6-3 double play.
END OF TOP HALF
B8
-Brodie Johnston singles to 2B.
- Close play. Vanderbilt challenged the initial ruling of out and the play was OVERTURNED.
-Braden Holcomb flies out to CF.
-Logan Johnstone strikes out swinging.
-Rustan Rigdon pops up to SS.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 2, Commodores 2
9th Inning:
T9
-Blaine Brown grounds out to SS.
-Reese Chapman strikes out swinging on three pitches.
-Stone Lawless grounds out to P.
END OF TOP HALF
B9
*Tommy Goodin pinch-hitting for Chris Maldonado*
-Tommy Goodin strikes out swinging on three pitches.
-Ryker Waite strikes out looking.
-Korbin Reynolds grounds out to SS.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 2, Commodores 2
10th Inning:
T10
-Garrett Wright HBP.
-Manny Marin flies out to CF.
Wright caught stealing second, 2-6.
-Jay Abernathy works a walk.
Clark steals second.
-Blake Grimmer strikes out swinging.
- Took a foul ball off the kneecap before strike three. Was in clear pain.
END OF TOP HALF
B10
-Mike Mancini grounds out to SS.
*Chris Newstrom to 2B for Blake Grimmer*
- Grimmer called for a sub after experiencing pain running for a ground ball. Still in pain from the bal off the kneecap.
-Colin Barczi HBP.
*Cade Sears pinch-running for Barczi*
-Brodie Johnston singles to right field. Sears to second.
*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Bo Rhudy (0-0, 1.86 ERA) in to pitch for Kuhns*
-Braden Holcomb strikes out swinging.
*Pitching change: Sr. LHP Mark Hindy (1-0, 4.50 ERA) on to pitch for Rhudy*
-Logan Jonhnstone singles to left field to walk it off.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 2, Commodores 2
END OF GAME
FINAL: Tennessee Vols 2, Vanderbilt Commodores 3
