Right-handed pitcher Landon Mack is returning to Tennessee baseball for his junior season, GoVols247’s Ben McKee first reported and Mack confirmed to RTI on Tuesday night.
It’s the third piece of good news for Tennessee on Tuesday with both freshman Trent Grindlinger and Cam Appenzeller returning to Knoxville for their sophomore seasons. With both Mack and Appenzeller returning, Tennessee has two solid starting pitching candidates for next season.
Mack transferred to Tennessee from Rutgers after his freshman season and started on the mound in Tennessee’s first 12 weekend series this season, posting a 4-4 record, 4.67 ERA, 1.49 WHIP in 61.2 innings pitched.
The sophomore began the season as the Vols’ Saturday starter before moving into the Friday night spot. Mack was terrific in his Friday night debut against LSU but struggled his next three times out before turning in a quality start against Kentucky in what proved to be his final appearance of the season.
More From RTI: Freshman Tennessee Baseball Star Returning For 2027 Season
Mack missed his final two starts of the regular season due to arm soreness. He also did not pitch in the postseason though the Vols went two-and-out in the Chapel Hill Regional.
Mack’s last outing came on May 3 against Kentucky when he allowed one earned runs on six hits in six innings pitched.
Ten Tennessee players have entered the transfer portal this offseason, including utility man Jay Abernathy, catcher Cash Williams, infielder Finley Bates, shortstop Ariel Antigua, infielder Ethan Moore, first baseman Evan Hankins, utility man Hunter High, utility man Chris Newstrom, outfielder Hutson Chance and right-handed pitcher Brayden Krenzel.
After failing to make it out of the opening weekend of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019, Elander and his coaching staff enter a critical offseason. Tennessee will lose a number of players to the portal and will be aggressive adding more talent to its roster.
