LIVE Updates, Score, Notes: No. 20 Tennessee Baseball vs. Arizona State

Photo via Tennessee Athletics

SCORE: Tennessee 5, Arizona State 3 | FINAL

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No. 20 Tennessee baseball (6-3) is set to battle the Arizona State Sun Devils (8-2) Saturday in its second game in Arlington, Texas as part of the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series.

First pitch in Globe Life Field is at 12:00 p.m. ET on FloCollege.

Tennessee will face Virginia Tech at 11:30 a.m. ET Sunday. FloCollege will have the stream.

More information on how to watch this Tennessee’s games in Arlington, pitching matchups for all games, opponent glances and more, is below.

HOW TO WATCH: Tennessee Baseball Faces Off With UCLA, Arizona State, Virginia Tech 

Tennessee suffered a 12-5 loss to UCLA Friday at Globe Life Field. The Bruins bashed their way to the victory, slugging five homers on 10 hits against the Vols’ pitching staff.

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Starter Tegan Kuhns tossed a career-high 10 strikeouts and looked good for the majority of his outing, but he gave up three homers to leave a stain on what could have been a season-best performance.

Tennessee’s offense was inconsistent but woke up in the sixth, tallying four runs. However, Tennessee’s bullpen did not complement its offense, allowing six runs in the final three frames.

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The loss marked Tennessee’s third in the last four games. The Vols lost two of three to Kent State last weekend in Knoxville before beating Bellarmine in a Tuesday midweek contest.

Inconsistent offense, poor defense and lack of trusted bullpen arms have told the story of Tennessee’s young season. Friday, head coach Josh Elander addressed the possibility of making a defensive change.

CHANGE COMING?: Josh Elander Addresses Possibility of Making Defensive Change

Despite the recent skid, Tennessee can still make this weekend a success by winning Saturday and Sunday. Arizona State presents a tough challenge, but the Sun Devils are playing their fourth game in five days and have lost two straight.

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Virginia Tech was run-ruled 10-0 by Texas A&M Friday. Tennessee will be the favorite in Sunday’s game.

BIGGER ROLE?: Tennessee Baseball Readying Freshman Pitcher For Bigger Role This Weekend In Texas 
POLLS

Below is where Tennessee is ranked in various preseason polls.

  • D1 Baseball: 20 (down 7 spots)
    • D1 Baseball rankings will be referenced by RTI all season.
  • Baseball America: 19 (down 6 spots)
  • Perfect Game: 13 (down 10 spots)
  • USA Today Coaches Poll: 19 (down 4 spots)
  • NCBWA: 20 (down 8 spots)
Opponent Scout

Arizona State had the looks of an early surprise team nationally. They swept weekend series with Omaha and St. John’s before splitting two midweek games with Oklahoma earlier this week.

The Sun Devils lost to Mississippi State Friday, 8-4. Tennessee’s team is likely better than ASU’s but the Sun Devils are clearly a tough out.

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  • 2025 Record: 36-24 (18-12 Big 12)
  • 2025 Postseason: Los Angeles Regional (1-2)
  • 2026 Big 12 Preseason Poll: 4th
  • Head Coach: Willie Bloomquist
    • Overall Record: 134-106 (5th year)
    • Record at ASU: Same
  • Preseason All-Conference Selections (3):
    • IF Landon Hairston
    • IF Austen Roellig
    • RP Cole Carlon

Info courtesy UT Athletics

Prediction: Vols win by 1-3 runs

Tennessee eeks one out behind a strong Landon Mack start. Mack has looked good so far this season, and with Arizona State playing its fourth game in five days – all of which have come against SEC teams – Tennessee takes advantage.

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 made his season debut in the field Tuesday against Bellarmine. Has not taken an at-bat yet.
TRANSCRIPT: Everything Tennessee Baseball HC Josh Elander Said After Loss to UCLA

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 Recaps Midweek Win Over Bellarmine, Looks Ahead to Arlington

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

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TENNESSEE STARTING NINE: 

CF Jay Abernathy (L)

3B Henry Ford (R)

LF Blaine Brown (L)

1B Levi Clark (R)

RF Reese Chapman (L)

DH Tyler Myatt (L)

2B Chris Newstrom (R)

C Stone Lawless (R)

SS Manny Marin (R)

Lineup Notes:
  • Same 9 as Friday just different order.
  • Brown moves back up to the 3-hole.
  • Newstrom at the 7-hole after a career day Friday.

ARIZONA STATE STARTING NINE: 

LF Landon Hairston (L)

SS PJ Moutzouridis (R)

2B Nu’u Contrades (R)

DH Garrett Michel (L)

CF Dominic Longo (R)

RF Dean Toigo (L)

1B Dominic Smaldino (R)

3B Austen Roellig (R)

C Brody Briggs (L)

Pitching Matchup:

Vols So. RHP Landon Mack (1-1, 1.48 ERA, 2 app., 2 starts, 12.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 20 K, 2 XBH, 1.00 WHIP)

vs.

Sun Devils R-Jr. RHP Colin Linder (0-0, 2.20 ERA, 2 app., 2 starts, 8.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 6 BB, 8 K, 2 XBH, 1.50 WHIP)

Pitching notes:
  • Mack gets his third straight Saturday start. He has done well, allowing just two earned runs. Mack is coming off a career-high 11-strikeout performance last week.
  • Linder has been ASU’s Saturday starter through both weeks of the season.
Uniforms

Tennessee: NEW Smokey Greys (season debut)

Arizona State: Maroon tops, white pants and yellow accents


*NOTES*

  • Run-rule in effect. If Tennessee or Arizona State leads by 10 or more runs after the seventh inning, the game is over.
  • Tennessee is the AWAY team against ASU. It was the home team Friday.

GAME THREAD

1st Inning: 

T1

-Jay Abernathy grounds out to SS.

-Henry Ford flies out to CF.

-Blaine Brown works a walk.

-Levi Clark flies out to LF.

END OF TOP HALF

B1

-Landon Hairston slaps a single down the LF line.

  • Good piece of hitting for the lefty.

*Landon Mack throwing a bunch of pick-off attempts at first. Tennessee is making a concerted effort at holding runners this year.*

-PJ Moutzouridis flies out to RF.

-Nu’u Contrades singles through the left side. Hairston to second.

  • ASU hitters working good ABs so far.

-Garrett Michel grounds into a 5-4-3 double play.

  • Good play from Henry Ford. Routine, but was hard-hit and one-hopped into his glove.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 0, Sun Devils 0

2nd Inning: 

T2

-Reese Chapman drops a single into center.

-Tyler Myatt smacks a double to right-center.

  • First pitch of the AB.

-Chris Newstrom drills a two-run double to left-center.

  • Newstrom stays red hot. Doubled on the first pitch of the AB.

-Stone Lawless works a walk.

-Manny Marin sac bunt. Runners advance.

Newstrom out 2-1. Tried to score on a wild pitch. Lawless to third.

-Jay Abernathy is walked.

-Henry Ford knocks an RBI single to SS. Lawless scores. Abernathy to second.

  • 106 mph off the bat. Shortstop did a great job to make a diving stop but the throw was not in time.

-Blaine Brown drives an RBI single through the left side. Ford to second.

-Levi Clark HBP.

  • Bases loaded with two outs for Reese Chapman.
  • Tennessee has batted around the order.

-Reese Chapman flies out to LF.

END OF TOP HALF

B2

-Dominic Longo strikes out swinging on three pitches.

-Dean Toigo grounds out to 2B.

  • Hit into the shift.

-Dominic Smaldino strikes out swinging.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 4, Sun Devils 0

3rd Inning: 

T3

-Tyler Myatt strikes out swinging.

-Chris Newstrom strikes out swinging.

-Stone Lawless flies out to SS in shallow left-field.

END OF TOP HALF

B3

-Austen Roellig strikes out swinging, out at first C to 1B.

-Brody Briggs bounces a single up the middle.

-Landon Hairston smacks a double to the right-field wall.

-PJ Moutzouridis strikes out swinging.

  • Mack wins the battle after an 8 pitch at-bat.

-Nu’u Contrades strikes out swinging.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 4, Sun Devils 0

4th Inning: 

T4

-Manny Marin flies out to RF.

-Jay Abernathy grounds out to SS up the middle.

-Henry Ford deposits a single into right field.

-Blaine Brown grounds out to P.

END OF TOP HALF

B4

-Garret Michel grounds out to SS up the middle.

-Dominic Longo doubles to left field.

-Dean Toigo smokes an RBI double to right-center. Longo scores.

-Dominic Smaldino lines out to SS.

*Cam Appenzeller and Brady Frederick getting loose in the bullpen*

-Austen Roellig smacks an RBI single to right field. Toigo scores.

  • Chapman’s throw was on a rope to home, but Toigo snuck his hand in to touch home before Lawless applied the tag.
  • Play was reviewed and the call of safe STOOD.

-Brody Briggs works a walk.

  • Wins a long battle and flips the lineup.

-Landon Hairston HBP.

  • 1st pitch of the AB.
  • Bases loaded with two outs for PJ Moutzouridis.

-PJ Moutzouridis grounds out to SS.

END OF TOP HALF

Score: Vols 4, Sun Devils 2

5th Inning: 

T5

*Pitching change: RHP Alex Overbay (0-0, 1.50 ERA) on to pitch for Linder*

-Levi Clark fouls out to 1B.

-Reese Chapman strikes out looking.

-Tyler Myatt strikes out looking.

END OF TOP HALF

B5

-Nu’u Contrades grounds out to C.

-Garrett Michel flies out to LF.

-Dominic Longo grounds out to SS.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 4, Sun Devils 2

6th Inning: 

T6

-Chris Newstrom strikes out swinging, out at first C to 1B.

-Stone Lawless strikes out swinging.

-Manny Marin flares an infield single down the 1B line.

  • Play was reviewed and STOOD as called.

-Jay Abernathy strikes out swinging.

END OF TOP HALF

B6

*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Brady Frederick (1-0, 7.06 ERA) on to pitch for Mack*

–FINAL LINE for Landon Mack: 5.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 63 strikes on 93 pitches–

-Dean Toigo singles through the right side.

-Dominic Smaldino strikes out looking.

Toigo caught stealing, 2-1.

  • First caught stealing for Lawless this season.
  • Strike ’em out, throw ’em out.

-Austen Roellig grounds out to 3B.

  • Good, long throw by Henry Ford. He’s played sound defense today.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 4, Sun Devils 2

7th Inning: 

T7

-Henry Ford strikes out swinging.

-Blaine Brown flies out to CF.

-Levi Clark ropes a double down the LF line.

-Reese Chapman is walked.

-Tyler Myatt flies out to RF.

END OF TOP HALF

B7

-Brody Briggs grounds out to 3B.

-Landon Hairston works a walk.

Hairston steals second, advances to third on a throwing error by C.

  • Throw was low and went into the outfield.

-PJ Moutzouridis sends a sac fly to CF.

-Nu’u Contrades grounds out to SS.

  • Nice play by Manny Marin.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 4, Sun Devils 3

8th Inning: 

T8

*Pitching change: RHP Finn Edwards (0-0, 0.00 ERA) on to pitch for Overbay*

-Chris Newstrom grounds out to 1B, unassisted.

-Stone Lawless is walked.

-Manny Marin strikes out looking.

*Pitching change: Sr. LHP Sean Fitzpatrick (1-0, 0.00 ERA) on to pitch for Edwards*

-Jay Abernathy works a walk. Lawless to second.

-Henry Ford grounds out to SS.

  • Good play by Moutzouridis. Pumped to second first but adjusted and made the right play.

END OF TOP HALF

B8

*Pitching change: Fr. LHP Cam Appenzeller (2-0, 2.57 ERA) on to pitch for Frederick*

-Matt Polk strikes out looking.

-Dominic Longo is walked.

-Dean Toigo knocks a bunt single down the 3B line.

  • Wonderfully executed. Beat the shift.

-Dominic Smaldino strikes out swinging.

-Austen Roellig flies out to CF in right-center.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 4, Sun Devils 3

9th Inning: 

T9

-Blaine Brown rips a double to right-center.

*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Derek Schaefer (0-1, 4.39 ERA) on to pitch for Fitzpatrick*

Brown advances to third on a wild pitch.

-Levi Clark knocks a sac fly to RF.

-Reese Chapman strikes out swinging.

-Tyler Myatt grounds out to P.

END OF TOP HALF

B9

-Brody Briggs strikes out swinging.

-Landon Hairston grounds out to SS.

-PJ Moutzouridis flies out to RF.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 5, Sun Devils 3

FINAL: Tennessee Vols 5, Arizona State Sun Devils 3

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