SCORE: Tennessee 6, LSU 16 | FINAL (12 inn. – LSU wins series 2-1)

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Tennessee baseball (20-11, 4-7 SEC) is set to host the LSU Tigers (21-11, 5-6 SEC) Sunday in game three of a three-game series in Knoxville.

First pitch in Lindsey Nelson Stadium is at 1:00 p.m. ET on SEC Network +.

For a full preview of the series, including first pitch times and broadcast details for all three games, click here.

Sunday’s game will serve as a series rubber match after Tennessee lost game one, 7-5, before taking game two, 4-1.

Tennessee enters Sunday coming off a massive 4-1 series-evening win Saturday over the Tigers.

Cam Appenzeller was shut-down dominant in 5.0 innings of work, allowing one hit to his first batter before retiring 15 straight. Appenzeller has been unbelievable in every SEC outing this season, but he somehow topped all his previous performances Saturday.

Tennessee scored four runs on three hits, but the offense did a great job taking advantage of capitalizing on LSU defensive mistakes.

The Vols could easily have the series already clinched, but an eight-inning go-ahead grand slam from LSU was too much for Tennessee to overcome Friday.

Landon Mack was brilliant in a 7.0-inning start, but Brandon Arvidson walked the bases loaded before Bo Rhudy gave up back-to-back homers, the first of which was a grand slam.

Read recaps of both games below.

GAME ONE RECAP: Tennessee Baseball Blows Late Lead In Series Opener Against LSU

GAME TWO RECAP: Tennessee Baseball’s Pitching Dominates In Series-Evening Victory Over LSU

Tennessee head coach Josh Elander took blame for the eighth-inning pitching decisions which caused things to spiral for the Vols. Read Elander’s comments HERE.

Friday’s loss marked Tennessee’s fourth straight in SEC play, but Saturday’s effort put an end to the streak.

Now, the Vols will look to win their second SEC series of the season in their fifth series rubber match on the year.

The LSU series is a big one for Tennessee. At 3-6 in league play entering the weekend, the Vols must get back on track sooner rather than later, and LSU is mediocre this season. With the series at home, it’s a good time to begin righting the ship by beating the reigning National Champions.

Opponent Scout

LSU started the season 8-0 but things have gotten shaky since. The Tigers went 4-5 in their final nine games before the start of SEC play including a series loss against Sacramento State.

SEC play started in similarly poor fashion with Vanderbilt winning two of three games over LSU in Nashville. The Tigers then went on the road and dropped two out of three games at Oklahoma.

LSU seemed to steady the ship last week, winning the final two games of its series against Kentucky after dropping the opener. The Tigers enter the weekend 4-5 in SEC play and are looking to continue their momentum from last weekend while Tennessee looks to regroup after a brutal weekend at Vanderbilt.

• 2025 Record: 53-15 (19-11 SEC)
• 2025 Postseason: MCWS (National Champions)
• 2026 SEC Preseason Poll: 1^st
• Head Coach: Jay Johnson
  • Overall Record: 527-259 (14^th year)
  • Record at LSU: 210-87 (5^th year)
• Preseason All-Conference Selections (5):
  • OF Derek Curiel (1^st team), SP Casan Evans (1^st team), RP Zac Cowan (1^st team), SS Steven Milam (2^nd team), OF Jake Brown (2^nd team)

SERIES HISTORY:

• Overall: LSU leads, 66-35
• In Knoxville: UT leads, 22-21
• In Baton Rouge: LSU leads, 40-10
• At Neutral Sites: LSU leads, 5-3
• Last 10 Meetings (before the series): UT leads, 6-4
• Last Meeting: April 27, 2025 (L, 12-2 in Baton Rouge)
• Tennessee had won eight straight games against LSU in Knoxville dating back to 2021 (before this series)

Info courtesy UT Athletics in italics

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 Cam Appenzeller’s Elite Outing, Vols Game Two Win Over LSU

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

TENNESSEE STARTING NINE: 

LSU STARTING NINE: 

LF Chris Stanfield (R)

RF Jake Brown (L)

C Omar Serna Jr. (R)

CF Derek Curiel (L)

SS Steven Milam (S)

1B Zach Yorke (L)

3B John Pearson (R)

DH Cade Arrambide (R)

2B Seth Dardar (L)

Pitching Matchup:

Vols Sr. LHP Evan Blanco (2-2, 4.00 ERA, 7 app., 7 starts, 36.0 IP, 27 H, 20 R, 16 ER, 16 BB, 46 K, 11 XBH, .205 opp. batting avg., 1.19 WHIP)

vs.

Tigers G-Sr. RHP Grant Fontenot (0-0, 1.93 ERA, 9 app., 0 starts, 2 SV, 9.1 IP, 12 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 12 K, 1 XBH, .316 opp. batting avg., 1.82 WHIP)

Lineup Notes:

• Blanco has been largely solid this year but struggled last weekend in Vanderbilt, allowing nine runs but only six earned, as the Tennessee defense made a litany of mistakes.
  • Before the Vandy outing, Blanco shoved in 7.2 innings against Missouri.
  • If Blanco is good, Tennessee should win. Pitching behind Blanco is the question mark. Rhudy and Arvidson could throw again. Frederick Krenzel and Hindy are the lower-tier bullpen arms.
• First start for Fontenot this season. Coming off a 2.0-inning save against Kentucky (1 hit allowed). Has only allowed an earned run in one start (2 ER vs. Kent State).
  • Been very solid in relief this year but the longest he’s gone is 2.0 innings and 34 pitches.

Uniforms

Tennessee: Sunday creams with black hats and accents.

LSU: Yellow tops, grey pants

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*NOTES*

• The run-rule is MANDATORY in SEC play. If Tennessee or LSU leads by 10 or more runs at the end of the 7th inning or later, the game is over.

---

GAME THREAD

1st Inning: 

T1

-Chris Stanfield flies out to CF.

-Jake Brown grounds out to 2B.

• Hit into the shift.

-Omar Serna Jr. strikes out swinging.

• Strong 1-2-3 inning on 12 pitches for Blanco

END OF TOP HALF

B1

-Garrett Wright HBP.

Wright advances to second on a passed ball.

-Reese Chapman strikes out swinging.

• Chapman was up 3-0 but Fontenot battles back. Some questionable strike calls in the AB.

-Henry Ford strikes out swinging on three pitches.

-Blake Grimmer intentionally walked.

-Manny Marin flies out to RF.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 0, Tigers 0

2nd Inning: 

T2

-Derek Curiel strikes out swinging.

-Steven Milam pops up to SS.

-Zach Yorke strikes out swinging.

• Blanco wins a 7-pitch battle to record his second straight 1-2-3 inning.

END OF TOP HALF

B2

-Blaine Brown strikes out swinging.

-Trent Grindlinger flares a single into shallow right-center.

-Levi Clark grounds into a 6-4-3 double play.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 0, Tigers 0

3rd Inning: 

T3

-John Pearson strikes out swinging.

-Cade Arrambide singles through the left side.

-Seth Dardar fouls out to C.

• Crazy play. Henry Ford tried to make the sliding grab but the ball bounced out of his glove. Levi Clark was there to make the diving catch. Great effort.

-Chris Stanfield flies out to RF.

END OF TOP HALF

B3

-Jay Abernathy grounds out to P on a bunt.

-Garrett Wright drives a double to left field.

-Reese Chapman reaches on a fielding error by 1B. Wright to third.

• Awful awful play by the LSU defense. Throw was horrible but Yorke should have still caught it. Was in his glove but he didn’t complete the catch. Yikes.

-Henry Ford fouls out to RF, sac fly. Wright scores.

• Throw was a bit offline. Wright comes racing home and collides hard with LSU catcher Omar Serna Jr., who was directly in the baseline.
• Serna Jr. shaken up. Was looked at by trainers and is exiting the game. His body whipped around as Wright’s legs hit him in the upper body. Went face first into the turf and didn’t move for 5-10 seconds.
• LSU CHALLENGED the play, saying Wright left the bag EARLY before the ball was caught in foul territory. The ruling was QUICKLY upheld. Run counts.

*Edward Yamin IV to C for Omar Serna Jr.*

*Pitching change: Sr. RHP Zac Cowan (1-0, 4.38 ERA) on to pitch for Fontenot*

-Blake Grimmer intentionally walked.

-Manny Marin reaches on a fielder’s choice to SS. Grimmer safe at second via a throwing error by SS. Chapman to third.

• Another awful play by LSU’s defense. Easy 6-4 putout and Milam makes an errant throw.

-Blaine Brown powers a grand slam to center.

• 9th HR of the season for Brown. 29 RBIs (2nd on team)
• 388 feet, 102 mph. Barely got out in center.

-Trent Grindlinger strikes out swinging.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 5, Tigers 0

4th Inning: 

T4

-Jake Brown flies out to RF.

-Edward Yamin IV doubles to left-center.

-Derek Curiel works a walk.

-Steven Milam flies out to CF. Yamin IV to third.

-Zach Yorke is walked.

• Bases loaded with two outs for John Pearson.

-John Pearson strikes out looking.

• Big K to strand ’em loaded.

END OF TOP HALF

B4

-Levi Clark flies out to CF.

-Jay Abernathy flies out to CF.

-Garrett Wright strikes out swinging, out at first C to 1B.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 5, Tigers 0

5th Inning: 

T5

-Cade Arrambide smacks a solo homer to right field.

-Seth Dardar flies out to CF at the warning track.

-Chris Stanfield lines out to 3B.

• Nice nab by Ford. Had to lunge towards the foul line.

-Jake Brown flies out to CF.

END OF TOP HALF

B5

-Reese Chapman grounds out to SS through the right side.

• Into the shift.

-Henry Ford grounds out to 3B.

-Blake Grimmer grounds out to SS through the right side.

• Into the shift. 9-pitch at-bat.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 5, Tigers 1

6th Inning: 

T6

-Edward Yamin IV fouls out to 1B.

-Derek Curiel grounds out to SS.

-Steven Milam pops up to SS in shallow left-center.

• Blanco has been very very good aside from the fourth. A great bounce back outing.

END OF TOP HALF

B6

-Manny Marin lines out to SS.

-Blaine Brown grounds out to 1B unassisted.

-Trent Grindlinger grounds out to 3B.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 5, Tigers 1

7th Inning: 

T7

-Zach Yorke strikes out looking.

-John Pearson launches a solo homer to left field.

*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Brady Frederick (4-1, 3.27 ERA) on to pitch for Blanco*

–FINAL LINE for Evan Blanco: 6.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 3 XBH (2 HR), 68 strikes on 102 total pitches–

• Very strong bounce back outing for Blanco

-Cade Arrambide hammers a solo homer to left field.

• First pitch for Frederick leaves the yard. No doubter.
• 2nd HR of the game for Arrambide.

-Seth Dardar knocks a solo homer to right field.

• 1-1 count. Frederick’s third pitch of the outing.
• Three straight jacks for LSU. A new ballgame.

*Pitching change: Jr. LHP Brandon Arvidson (1-0, 4.79 ERA) on to pitch for Frederick*

-Chris Stanfield strikes out looking on three pitches.

• Dominant Arvidson against his first batter.

-Jake Brown grounds out to 1B unassisted.

END OF TOP HALF

B7

-Levi Clark strikes out swinging.

-Jay Abernathy grounds out to SS through the right side.

• Hard hit ball but into the shift. Really nice play by Milam. Looked off the bat it was going to be a chopper for a single, but Milam makes a great backhand nab and throw.

-Garrett Wright reaches on a fielding error by 3B, advances to second.

• Went under John Pearson’s glove and goes into the outfield.
• Credit to Wright for battling. Great at-bat (9 pitches, 4 fouled off)

*Pitching change: So. LHP Danny Lachenmayer (1-0, 2.70 ERA) on to pitch for Cowan*

-Reese Chapman HBP.

• Hit him on the elbow. Checked out by trainer Jeff Wood, but he’s fine.

*Pitching change: RHP Gavin Guidry (3-3, 6.64 ERA) on to pitch for Lachenmayer*

-Henry Ford flies out to LF at the warning track.

• So close to a three-run homer.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 5, Tigers 4

8th Inning: 

T8

-Edward Yamin IV flies out to LF.

-Derek Curiel flies out to LF.

-Steven Milam grounds out to SS.

• Easy 1-2-3 inning for Arvidson. 9-pitch inning against the heart of LSU’s order.

END OF TOP HALF

B8

-Blake Grimmer out at first 1B to P.

-Manny Marin grounds out to 3B.

• LSU CHALLENGED the initial ruling of safe and the call was OVERTURNED. Marin is OUT.
• Was very close as Manny almost legged it out.

-Blaine Brown is walked.

-Trent Grindlinger sends a single into center. Brown to second.

-Levi Clark reaches on a fielder’s choice to SS. Brown out at third, 6-5.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 5, Tigers 4

9th Inning: 

T9

*Mason Braun pinch-hitting for Zach Yorke*

*Brayden Krenzel is tossing in the bullpen*

-Mason Braun slaps a single to center.

*William Patrick pinch-running for Braun*

-John Pearson pops up to SS.

-Cade Arrambide strikes out looking.

• Jay Johnson VERY unhappy with the call. Lets home plate ump know and he is tossed.
• To be fair, ball was low. Bad strike three call.

LSU HC Jay Johnson has been EJECTED

-Seth Dardar ropes a single to right field. Braun to third.

-Chris Stanfield HBP.

• Bases loaded with two outs for Jake Brown
• Arvidson staying in after Elander visited with Arv.

-Jake Brown sends an RBI single to 2B.

• Slow dribbler to Jay. Tries to flip to second but Marin can’t complete the catch and Brown reaches.
• Bases loaded with two outs for Edward Yamin IV

-Edward Yamin IV strikes out swinging.

END OF TOP HALF

B9

*Pearson to 1B*

*Trent Caraway to 3B for William Patrick*

*Tyler Myatt pinch-hitting for Jay Abernathy*

-Myatt pops up to SS in shallow left field.

-Garrett Wright lines out to 2B.

-Reese Chapman flies out to CF.

• Vols go down in order on five pitches.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 5, Tigers 5

10th Inning: 

T10

-Derek Curiel reaches first on a bunt single to P.

• Tennessee CHALLENGED the play saying the runner was outside of the batter’s box when he bunted.
• Call was UPHELD as safe. Tennessee & LSU each have one challenge remaining.

-Steven Milam singles to right field, advances to second on a fielding error by RF. Curiel to third on the error, out at home 9-4-2. Milam advances to third on the throw home.

• Bad error from Chapman but Tennessee is able to get Curiel at home. Curiel slid but was unable to touch the plate. Levi tags him behind the plate.

*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Bo Rhudy (0-1, 2.70 ERA) on to pitch for Arvidson*

-Trent Caraway strikes out swinging.

-John Pearson fouls out to 3B.

END OF TOP HALF

B10

-Henry Ford strikes out swinging on three pitches.

-Blake Grimmer flies out to RF.

-Manny Marin grounds out to SS.

• Vols go down in order on six pitches.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 5, Tigers 5

11th Inning: 

T11

-Cade Arrambide drives a solo homer off the videoboard.

• 3rd HR of the day for Arrambide.

-Seth Dardar grounds out to 2B.

-Chris Stanfield flies out to CF in right field.

-Jake Brown grounds out to SS up the middle.

• Hit into the shift as he’s done so many times this weekend.

END OF TOP HALF

B11

-Blaine Brown cracks a single into shallow left-center.

• Beat the shift with a softly hit flare.

-Trent Grindlinger grounds out to C, sac bunt. Brown to second.

Brown advances to third on a wild pitch.

-Levi Clark flies out to CF at the wall, sac fly.

• Nearly a walk-off homer. Great leaping catch by Curiel at the wall but didn’t rob him.
• 398 feet, wind barely kept it in. (footage projected off the bat via trackman)

-Tyler Myatt pops up to SS.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 6, Tigers 6

12th Inning: 

T12

*Pitching change: So. RHP Brayden Krenzel (1-2, 7.36 ERA) in to pitch for Rhudy*

-Edward Yamin IV HBP.

*Pitching change: Fr. LHP Chandler Day (0-0, 9.00 ERA) in to pitch for Krenzel*

-Derek Curiel singles through the right side. Yamin IV to third.

-Steven Milam sends an RBI single to SS. Curiel to second, Yamin IV scores.

• Manny playing a little closer to second base and the ball was hit directly in the six hole.
• Too hard of a play for Marin to make. Good job to keep it in the infield/

*Pitching change: So. RHP Nic Abraham (1-0, 2.50 ERA) in to pitch for Day*

-Trent Caraway HBP.

• Bases loaded with no outs for John Pearson

-John Pearson pops up to SS.

• Bases loaded with one out for Cade Arrambide.

-Cade Arrambide rips a no-doubt grand slam off the videoboard.

• FOURTH HOMER of the game for Arrambide. Just unreal.
• Off the top of the scoreboard too. Monstrous shot.
• Arrambide is the first player EVER to hit 4 homers against Tennessee, per a UT spokesperson.

-Seth Dardar drops a single into right field.

-Chris Stanfield grounds out to SS. Dardar to second.

• Smooth play by Manny.

-Jake Brown intentionally walked.

-Edward Yamin IV deposits an RBI single into left field, advances to second on a fielding error by LF. Dardar scores. Brown to third, scores on the error.

*Pitching change: Fr. RHP Sawyer Deering (0-0, 3.60 ERA) in to pitch for Abraham*

-Derek Curiel ropes an RBI triple down the RF line. Yamin IV scores.

-Steven Milam crushes a two-run homer to right field.

• No doubter. LSU is now up 10. Crazy.

-Trent Caraway grounds out to SS.

END OF TOP HALF

B12

-Garrett Wright flies out to RF.

-Reese Chapman pops up to 3B in shallow left field.

-Henry Ford grounds out to SS.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 6, Tigers 16

END OF GAME

FINAL: Tennessee Vols 6, LSU Tigers 16 (FINAL — 12 inn.)