Tennessee baseball opened up the 2026 season with a sweep of Nicholls at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. The Vols outscored Nicholls 27-3 in the three-game series, including a pair of run-rule victories as well as a more moderate 5-1 victory in game two.
Tennessee’s pitching was fantastic throughout the course of the weekend series. Starting pitchers Tegan Kuhns, Landon Mack and Evan Blanco combined to allow just one run in 17.2 innings pitched. Outside of a Brady Frederick allowing a two-run seventh inning, Tennessee’s bullpen did not allow a run in the series.
Cameron Appenzeller and Bo Rhudy were both stellar in game two, combining for perfect innings with nine strikeouts.
At the plate, Rice transfer Blaine Brown had a massive weekend hitting eight-for-13 with three home runs and another double. Senior Reese Chapman also got his season off to a strong start, hitting three-for-five with two doubles while adding three walks and twice reaching on catcher’s interference.
The Vols are back in action Tuesday afternoon with a matchup against UNC Asheville at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Tennessee will then face a solid Kent State team for a three-game series this coming weekend.
After the strong opening weekend of the series, Tennessee baseball mostly stayed up in the rankings but did slightly move up in one ranking.
More From RTI: Five Thoughts On Tennessee Baseball’s Season-Opening Series
D1Baseball
- This week: No. 13
- Last week: No. 14
Baseball America
- This week: No. 13
- Last week: No. 13
USA Today Coaches Poll
- This week: No new poll this week
- Last week: No. 15
Perfect Game
- This week: No. 3
- Last week: No. 3
NCBWA
- This week: No. 12
- Last week: No. 15
