SCORE: Tennessee 10, UNC Asheville 3 | FINAL

***SCROLL DOWN FOR LIVE AT-BAT BY AT-BAT FEED***

No. 13 Tennessee baseball (3-0) is set to host the UNC Asheville Bulldogs (2-2) Tuesday in the first midweek contest of the season.

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

Tennessee opened the season with a convincing series sweep over Nicholls, outscoring the Colonels 27-3 on the weekend.

The Vols’ starting pitching excelled while Blaine Brown raked at the plate. For five takeaways from the series sweep, click HERE.

After going 8-14 at the plate with three home runs and five RBIs on opening weekend, Brown will start on the mound for Tennessee against UNC Asheville. The two-way player’s start will be his pitching debut for the Vols.

Brown was a starting pitcher for Rice last year as a freshman. While Tennessee views him as more of a hitter, he could be a weapon for Tennessee out of the bullpen, too, throughout the season.

Tennessee opened the season with a 10-0 run-rule victory over Nicholls in eight innings on Friday, following it up with a 5-1 win and 12-2 run-rule win in a Saturday doubleheader to sweep the series.

Beyond Brown, Henry Ford and Reese Chapman led the way at the plate. Starting pitchers Tegan Kuhns, Landon Mack and Evan Blanco all did well in their season debuts, allowing only one run combined.

Cam Appenzeller, Nic Abraham, Brayden Krenzel and Bo Rhudy shined out of the bullpen, combining to toss 5.1 scoreless frames.

Recaps of all three of Tennessee’s wins over Nicholls are below.

GAME ONE RECAP: Tennessee Baseball Defeats Nicholls For First Win Of Josh Elander Era

GAME TWO RECAP: Tennessee Baseball Handles Business In Game Two Of Nicholls Series

GAME THREE RECAP: Tennessee Baseball Blows Out Nicholls to Sweep Series

The Nicholls series was the first of the 2026 season and first in the post-Tony Vitello era, as the former UT head man left last fall to become the San Francisco Giants manager. Vitello is the first person to ever become a head manager in the MLB with no big league coaching experience.

Vitello recently shared his thoughts on this year’s Tennessee’s team and spring training as he readies his Giants squad for the 2026 season.

With Vitello gone, the Josh Elander era – or ElandEra – is underway. There’s no better time for it to begin, as this weekend’s series marks the first in the newly renovated Lindsey Nelson Stadium. After years of work, LNS has become one of the SEC’s best parks. Check out all the changes below.

RENOVATIONS: Tennessee Athletics Brings Magnificent Changes to Lindsey Nelson Stadium Ahead of 2026 Baseball Season

RENOVATIONS LOOK: Tour of Tennessee Baseball’s Lindsey Nelson Stadium Renovations

In the first game at newly-renovated LNS Friday, the stadium set a new attendance record with 6,977.

Tennessee enters 2026 returning a few key contributors from a year ago, including sophomores Levi Clark, Jay Abernathy, Manny Marin, Chris Newstrom and senior Reese Chapman.

Additionally, Stone Lawless and Ariel Antigua, who were fringe contributors for the 2025 team, begin the season as starters. Lawless figures to serve as Tennessee’s top catcher while Antigua will have the opportunity to be an every-day starter if he can be more effective at the plate.

Beyond the returners, transfers Henry Ford and Blaine Brown are expected to be two of Tennessee’s top bats. By way of Virginia, Ford was Tennessee’s prized transfer portal land in the offseason. Brown is an electric two-way player from Rice. Do not be surprised if Ford and/or Brown hit 20+ home runs.

While there are plenty of familiar faces offensively, the pitching staff includes just four returners: Brandon Arvidson, Tegan Kuhns, Brayden Krenzel and Nic Abraham.

Kuhns was the opening day starter. Krenzel is a top relief arm. Abraham is a mid-tier bullpen arm with upside, and Arvidson could be Tennessee’s best pitcher on the staff.

For a full preview of the season, included projected accolades, pitching and lineup breakdowns, click the links below.

SEASON PREVIEW: Tennessee Baseball 2026 Season Preview: Accolades, Predictions

PITCHING PREVIEW

LINEUP PREVIEW

Opponent Scout

• 2025 Record: 15-35 (8-16 Big South)
• 2025 Postseason: N/A
• 2026 Big South Conference Preseason Poll: 9^th
• Interim Head Coach: Alex Raburn
  • Overall Record: 2-2 (1^st year)
  • Record at UNCA: Same
• Preseason All-Conference Selections: N/A

Info courtesy UT Athletics

Prediction: Vols win by double-digit runs

Injury/Availability Notes

• UTL Blake Grimmer is dealing with lower back soreness and is yet to make his season debut
• C/OF Garrett Wright had wrist surgery recently and figures to miss at least the first week of the season.
• Brandon Arvidson was OUT for the Nicholls series and may make his season debut vs. Kent State.
• Manny Marin was hit by a pitch the first weekend of February and was held out in Saturday’s doubleheader after playing on opening night. Josh Elander updated his status HERE.

TRANSCRIPT: Everything Tennessee Baseball HC Josh Elander Said After Series Sweep of Nicholls

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: WATCH: Tennessee Baseball HC Josh Elander Talks Series Sweep Over Nicholls

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

TENNESSEE STARTING NINE: 

3B Henry Ford (R)

P/DH Blaine Brown (L)

1B Levi Clark (R)

RF Reese Chapman (L)

C Stone Lawless (R)

2B Tyler Myatt (L)

LF Chris Newstrom (R)

CF Jay Abernathy (L)

SS Ariel Antigua (R)

Lineup Notes:

• Manny Marin remains out of the lineup with his banged up hand.
• Myatt starts his second straight game, this time at 2B (first start in the field).
• Newstrom occupies left with Brown in the pitcher/DH spot.
• Lawless behind the plate after Clark started there in game 3 of Nicholls series. Clark back at 1st.

UNC ASHEVILLE STARTING NINE: 

2B Logan Lowe (R)

1B Patrick Gillen (L)

RF Jake Minarik (R)

LF Blaize Johnson (L)

CF Ben Green (R)

DH Owen Michelson (R)

3B Chase Klingemann (R)

C Coleman McGinnis (R)

SS Jack Torbett (R)

Pitching Matchup:

Vols So. LHP Blaine Brown (season debut on mound)

vs.

Bulldogs Fr. RHP Colin Woodard

Pitching notes:

• First start on the mound for Brown in his Tennessee career.
• Think of Brown as 2024 Marcus Phillips. High velo but a bit erratic. The two-way star has the potential to be a bullpen chess piece for the Vols all year.

Uniforms

Tennessee: Pinstripes

UNC Asheville: Black tops with grey pants

---

*NOTES*

• Run-rule IS in effect. If Tennessee leads by 10 or more runs in M7 or later, the game is over.

---

GAME THREAD

1st Inning: 

T1

-Logan Lowe strikes out swinging.

-Patrick Gillen strikes out looking.

-Jake Minarik strikes out looking.

• What a first inning for Brown. Strikes out the side and the heater looked good. 96 mph highest he got but also sat there. Changeup at 85.

END OF TOP HALF

B1

-Henry Ford grounds out to 3B.

-Blaine Brown flies out to CF.

• Hung up in the wind, nearly a homer.

-Levi Clark doubles to right center.

-Reese Chapman grounds out to 2B.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 0, Bulldogs 0

2nd Inning: 

T2

*Pitching change: Fr. LHP Cam Appenzeller (0-0, 0.00 ERA) on to pitch for Blaine Brown*

-Blaize Johnson fouls out to 3B.

-Ben Green doubles to right field.

• First hit Appenzeller has given up.

-Owen Michelson works a walk.

-Chase Klingemann bloops an RBI single into right field. Green scores. Michelson to third.

-Cole McGinnis lays down a sac bunt to P to score Michelson. Klingemann to second.

-Jack Torbett grounds out to P.

END OF TOP HALF

B2

-Stone Lawless HBP.

-Tyler Myatt smacks a double to left field. Lawless to third.

-Chris Newstrom sends a sac fly to CF. Lawless scores, Myatt to third.

*Pitching change: LHP Nic Melton on to pitch for Woodard*

-Jay Abernathy rips an RBI triple down to RF line to score Myatt, out at home, 9-6-5-1-2.

• Throw got away from the third baseman and Abernathy tried to take advantage and score, but was tagged right before touching home plate on the side.
• Bang bang play that was reviewed and OVERTURNED as Abernathy was initially ruled safe.

-Ariel Antigua singles up the middle.

-Henry Ford flies out to RF.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 2, Bulldogs 2

3rd Inning: 

T3

-Logan Lowe strikes out looking.

-Patrick Gillen grounds out to 2B.

-Jake Minarik strikes out looking.

• Much better inning for Appenzeller. Sits the Bulldogs down in order on 15 pitches.

END OF TOP HALF

B3

-Blaine Brown out at first 1B to P.

-Levi Clark HBP.

-Reese Chapman works a walk. Clark to second.

-Stone Lawless crushes a three-run homer to the second deck of left-field porches.

• 104 mph, 411 mph
• 2nd homer of the season for Lawless

-Tyler Myatt HBP.

-Chris Newstrom strikes out swinging.

-Jay Abernathy fouls out to 3B.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 5, Bulldogs 2

4th Inning: 

T4

-Blaize Johnson flies out to CF.

-Ben Green grounds out to P.

-Owen Michelson strikes out looking.

• Sits the Bulldogs down in order again. This time on 12 pitches.
• Appenzeller has retired eight straight.

END OF TOP HALF

B4

-Ariel Antigua flies out to RF.

• Warning track, so close to first career homer for Ariel

-Henry Ford knocks a solo homer to the left-field porches.

• 2nd HR for Ford this season.
• Wind carried it out.
• Trackman couldn’t get numbers because it was hit too high.

-Blaine Brown grounds out to SS.

*Pitching change: RHP Branden Barna on to pitch for Melton*

-Levi Clark grounds out to 3B.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 6, Bulldogs 2

5th Inning: 

T5

-Chase Klingemann strikes out looking.

-Cole McGinnis grounds out to SS.

-Jack Torbett grounds out to 1B unassisted.

• Appenzeller continues to cruise. 11 straight retired.
• Since a shaky second inning, he’s been dominant.

END OF TOP HALF

B5

-Reese Chapman singles to right field, out at second 9-6.

• Tried to turn a single into a double. Got thrown out.

-Stone Lawless flies out to LF.

-Tyler Myatt reaches on a throwing error by 2B.

-Chris Newstrom flies out to LF at the warning track.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 6, Bulldogs 2

6th Inning: 

T6

*Pitching change: LHP Mark Hindy on to pitch for Appenzeller*

-Logan Lowe works a leadoff walk.

-Patrick Gillen flies out to CF.

-Jake Minarik pops up to SS.

Lowe steals second.

-Blaize Johnson lines out to LF.

END OF TOP HALF

B6

-Jay Abernathy singles up the middle.

-Ariel Antigua singles to left field. Abernathy to second.

-Henry Ford lines out to LF.

*Pitching change: LHP Nick Bruno on to pitch for Barna*

-Blaine Brown drills an RBI double down the RF line to score Abernathy. Antigua to third.

-Levi Clark strikes out swinging.

-Reese Chapman grounds out to SS.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 7, Bulldogs 2

7th Inning: 

T7

*Pitching change: RHP Ethan Baiotto on to pitch for Hindy*

-Ben Green grounds out to 1B unassisted.

-Owen Michelson doubles to left field.

-Chase Klingemann strikes out looking.

-Cole McGinnis strikes out looking.

END OF TOP HALF

B7

-Stone Lawless works a leadoff walk.

-Tyler Myatt strikes out swinging, Lawless steals second.

-Chris Newstrom singles through the left side. Lawless to third.

-Jay Abernathy knocks an RBI double to center. Lawless scores. Newstrom to third.

• Lost in the lights.

-Ariel Antigua sends a sac fly to RF. Newstrom scores. Abernathy to third.

-Henry Ford drops an RBI double in center.

• Another lost in the lights. Abernathy scores.

-Blaine Brown strikes out swinging.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 10, Bulldogs 2

8th Inning: 

T8

*Pitching change: Fr. LHP Taylor Tracey on to pitch for Baiotto*

-Jack Torbett singles to center field.

-Logan Lowe strikes out looking on three pitches.

Torbett steals second.

-Patrick Gillen pops up to P.

Torbett steals third.

-Jake Minarik strikes out swinging.

END OF TOP HALF

B8

*Pitching change: RHP TJ Brooks on to pitch for Bruno*

-Levi Clark strikes out swinging.

-Reese Chapman grounds out to 2B.

*Trent Grindlinger pinch-hitting for Stone Lawless*

-Trent Grindlinger singles to SS.

*Finley Bates pinch-hitting for Tyler Myatt*

-Finley Bates flies out to CF.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 10, Bulldogs 2

9th Inning: 

T9

*Hunter High to 1B for Levi Clark*

*Nate Eisfelder to RF for Reese Chapman*

*Grindlinger to C*

*Bates to 2B*

-Blaize Johnson works a walk.

*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Brady Frederick on to pitch for Tracey*

-Ben Green grounds out to 2B. Johnson to third.

• GREAT play by Finley Bates as the ball was hit up the middle. High with a nice stretch at first, too.

-Owen Michelson sends an RBI single up he middle.

-Chase Klingemann grounds into a 4-6-3 double play. Michelson out at second.

END OF TOP HALF

Score: Vols 10, Bulldogs 3

END OF GAME

FINAL: Tennessee Vols 10, UNC Asheville Bulldogs 3