SCORE: Tennessee 7, ETSU 1 | FINAL

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No. 19 Tennessee baseball (8-3) is set to battle the ETSU Buccaneers (9-2) Tuesday in a midweek contest at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

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

Tennessee is coming off a 2-1 weekend in Arlington in which it lost Friday’s game to UCLA, 12-5, before beating Arizona State and Virginia Tech, 5-3 and 3-1.

The Vols’ mostly offense struggled throughout the weekend, but strong pitching carried UT to a pair of much-needed victories over the Sun Devils and Hokies.

Relievers Cam Appenzeller, Brady Frederick, Mark Hindy and Brayden Krenzel all had good-to-great outings out of the bullpen. Evan Blanco turned in a solid start, Landon Mack worked through trouble beautifully in his start and Tegan Kuhns arguably pitched the best he has all season in a 10-strikeout performance despite giving up three homers.

Recaps from all three games at Globe Life Field, and a full weekend recap, are below.

GAME ONE RECAP: Tennessee Baseball Surrenders Five Home Runs in Loss Against UCLA

GAME TWO RECAP: Four-Run Inning and Strong Pitching Lead Tennessee Baseball to Victory Over Arizona State

GAME THREE RECAP: Tennessee Baseball’s Pitching Shines in Low-Scoring Win Over Virginia Tech

WEEKEND TAKEAWAYS: Five Takeaways From Tennessee Baseball’s Winning Weekend In The Lone Star State

Chris Newstrom was Tennessee’s highlight offensively, tallying four hits in the first two games. Levi Clark also looked much better at the plate, hitting back-to-back doubles in games two and three on the weekend, along with a 404-foot fly ball Sunday.

Vibes were low after Friday’s loss to UCLA. After cutting the deficit to one run against the Bruins with a four-run sixth inning, Tennessee’s bullpen collapsed to allow six seventh-inning runs, resulting in a seven-run loss.

Tennessee’s response, while the offense struggled the majority of Saturday and Sunday, was important to see. Now, the Vols have the opportunity to continue their momentum with five home games this week.

But the first is arguably the most challenging against a dangerous SoCon team that beat the 2025 Vols.

Opponent Scout

• 2025 Record: 41-17 (14-7 SoCon)
• 2025 Postseason: NCAA Nashville Regional (0-2)
• 2026 SoCon Preseason Poll: 3^rd
• Head Coach: Joe Pennucci
  • Overall Record: 240-163 (9^th year)
  • Record at ETSU: Same
• Preseason All-Conference Selections (5):
  • SP Michael Harpster (1^st Team)
  • RP Derek McCarley (1^st Team)
  • OF Jamie Palmese (1^st Team)
  • 1B Tristan Curless (2^nd Team)
  • OF Axel Melendez (2^nd Team)

Info courtesy UT Athletics

Prediction: Tennessee wins by 2-4 runs

Tennessee exacts revenge from last year’s ETSU loss. Strong pitching carries Tennessee to a victory over a very tough midweek opponent.

Look for Levi Clark to continue building momentum after good days Saturday and Sunday at the plate in Arlington.

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 last week against Bellarmine, his only appearance. Has not taken an at-bat yet.
  • Both players are “close” to returning for UT.

TRANSCRIPT: Everything Tennessee Baseball HC Josh Elander Said After Win Over Virginia Tech

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 Discusses Virginia Tech Win, Strong Pitching Performances

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

TENNESSEE STARTING NINE: 

CF Jay Abernathy (L)

3B Henry Ford (R)

P/DH Blaine Brown (L)

1B Levi Clark (R)

RF Reese Chapman (L)

C Stone Lawless (R)

LF Tyler Myatt (L)

2B Chris Newstrom (R)

SS Manny Marin (R)

Lineup Notes:

• Brown is at the DH/P spot. Lawless back behind the plate.
• Myatt in left, no Ariel as Newstrom gets the 2B start.

ETSU STARTING NINE: 

1B Nate Conner (L)

2B Ian Guanzon (R)

P Tristan Curless (L)

SS Henry Ferguson (R)

LF Axel Melendez (L)

CF Jamie Palmese (R)

C Mason Ault (R)

RF Joey Little (R)

3B Griffin Sorrow (R)

Pitching Matchup:

Vols LHP Blaine Brown (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 app., 2 starts, 2.0 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 5 K, .143 opp. batting avg., 1.00 WHIP)

vs.

Buccaneers LHP Tristan Curless (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 app., 0 starts, 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, .000 opp. batting avg., .00 WHIP)

Pitching notes:

• Brown gets his third straight midweek start. Will likely serve as an opener again.
• Curless has struck out the only three batters he has faced this year.

Uniforms

Tennessee: Icy whites

ETSU: Navy tops and grey pants with yellow accents

---

*NOTES*

• There IS a run-rule. If Tennessee or ETSU leads by 10 or more runs in M7 or later, the game is over.

---

GAME THREAD

1st Inning: 

T1

-Nate Conner HBP.

-Ian Guanzon is walked on four pitches. Conner to second.

-Tristan Curless is walked on four pitches.

• Bases loaded with no outs for Henry Ferguson.
• Horrible start for Blaine Brown as he cannot find the strike zone. 11 straight balls and UT will make a change.

*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Brady Frederick (1-0, 4.91 ERA) on to pitch for Brown*

• 2-0 count mid at-bat.

-Henry Ferguson strikes out swinging.

• 7-pitch at-bat. Big K as Frederick works back from the 2-0 count Brown left him.

-Axel Melendez sends a sac fly to CF. Guanzon to third.

-Jamie Palmese flies out to RF.

• Incredible job by Frederick to pick up Blaine Brown and limit the damage to one run.

END OF TOP HALF

B1

-Jay Abernathy works a leadoff walk.

-Henry Ford singles through the left side. Abernathy to second.

-Blaine Brown rips an RBI double to right-center. Abernathy scores. Ford to third.

-Levi Clark knocks an RBI groundout to SS. Brown to third. Ford scores.

-Reese Chapman smacks an RBI double to left-center. Brown scores.

*Pitching change: RHP Reid Brosnan (0-0, 1.00 ERA) on to pitch for Curless*

-Stone Lawless strikes out swinging.

-Tyler Myatt is walked.

-Chris Newstrom slaps an RBI single through the right side to score Chapman. Myatt to second.

-Manny Marin grounds out to 3B.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 4, Buccaneers 1

2nd Inning: 

T2

-Mason Ault is walked.

-Joey Little strikes out swinging.

-Griffin Sorrow pops up to SS in shallow left field.

-Nate Conner pops up to P.

END OF TOP HALF

B2

-Jay Abernathy singles up the middle.

-Henry Ford grounds into a 5-4-3 double play.

-Blaine Brown flies out to the warning track in right-center.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 4, Buccaneers 1

3rd Inning: 

T3

-Ian Guanzon grounds out to P.

-Tristan Curless grounds out to 2B.

-Henry Ferguson strikes out swinging.

END OF TOP HALF

B3

*Pitching change: LHP Derek McCarley (0-1, 2.45 ERA) on to pitch for Brosnan*

-Levi Clark flies out to RF.

-Reese Chapman singles to right-center.

• 2-hit day so far for Reese.

-Stone Lawless grounds into a 6-4-3 double play.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 4, Buccaneers 1

4th Inning: 

T4

*Pitching change: Fr. LHP Cameron Appenzeller (2-0, 0.00 ERA) on to pitch for Frederick*

-Axel Melendez singles through the left side.

-Jamie Palmese strikes out looking.

Melendez steals second.

-Mason Ault strikes out swinging.

-Joey Little strikes out swinging.

END OF TOP HALF

B4

-Tyler Myatt grounds out to 1B unassisted.

*Pitching change: RHP Stratton Scott (1-0, 3.86 ERA) on to pitch for McCarley*

-Chris Newstrom doubles to left field.

-Manny Marin knocks an RBI single through the left side. Newstrom scores.

-Jay Abernathy flies out to LF.

-Henry Ford flies out to RF.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 5, Buccaneers 1

5th Inning: 

T5

-Griffin Sorrow strikes out swinging.

-Nate Conner flies out to LF.

-Ian Guanzon pops up to SS.

END OF TOP HALF

B5

*Pitching change: LHP Thomas Costarelli (0-1, 7.00 ERA) on to pitch for Scott*

-Blaine Brown grounds out to SS.

-Levi Clark fouls out to 1B.

-Reese Chapman singles through the right side.

*Pitching change: RHP Carter Oliff (1-0, 4.26 ERA) on to pitch for Costarelli*

-Stone Lawless HBP. Chapman to second.

-Tyler Myatt works a walk.

• Bases loaded for Chris Newstrom.

-Newstrom grounds into a 5U fielder’s choice. Lawless out at 3B, unassisted.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 5, Buccaneers 1

6th Inning: 

T6

*Pitching change: LHP Brandon Arvidson (0-0, 8.10 ERA) on to pitch for Appenzeller*

-Tristan Curless strikes out swinging.

-Henry Ferguson singles to left field.

Ferguson picked off 1-3-6, out at second.

-Axel Melendez strikes out swinging on three pitches.

END OF TOP HALF

B6

-Manny Marin strikes out swinging.

-Jay Abernathy singles through the right side.

-Henry Ford crushes a two-run homer to left field.

• 4th HR for Ford this season.
• 406 feet, 106 mph

*Pitching change: RHP Cooper Jones on to pitch for Oliff*

-Blaine Brown flies out to LF.

• Good sliding catch by Melendez

-Levi Clark fouls out to RF.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 7, Buccaneers 1

7th Inning: 

T7

*Pitching change: Sr. LHP Mark Hindy (1-0, 0.00 ERA) on to pitch for Arvidson*

-Jamie Palmese singles to left field.

• First hit Hindy has given up this season.

-Mason Ault strikes out looking.

*Andrew Palmer pinch-hitting for Joey Little*

-Palmer singles through the left side. Palmese to second.

-Griffin Sorrow flies out to RF.

-Nate Conner lines out to 1B.

• Ball was smoked. Nice catch by Levi.

END OF TOP HALF

B7

*Palmer to RF*

*Nate Eisfelder pinch-hitting for Reese Chapman*

-Eisfelder strikes out looking.

-Stone Lawless pops up to SS.

-Tyler Myatt strikes out swinging.

• 8-pitch at-bat.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 7, Buccaneers 1

8th Inning: 

T8

*Eisfelder to RF*

*Pitching change: RHP Bo Rhudy (0-0, 3.37 ERA) on to pitch for Hindy*

-Ian Guanzon strikes out swinging.

-Tristan Curless drops a single into right-center.

-Henry Ferguson singles to left field. Curless to second.

*Fetterman pinch-hitting for Melendez*

-Fetterman strikes out looking on three pitches.

-Jamie Palmese flies out to RF.

END OF TOP HALF

B8

*Fetterman to LF*

*Pitching change: LHP Cody Carwile (0-0, 3.86 ERA) on to pitch for Jones*

*Gabe Juarez to C for Ault*

-Chris Newstrom works a walk.

-Manny Marin flies out to LF.

-Jay Abernathy reaches on a fielder’s choice to 2B. Newstrom out at second, 4-6.

-Henry Ford reaches on a fielder’s choice to SS. Abernathy out at second, 6-4.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 7, Buccaneers 1

9th Inning: 

T9

*Ariel Antigua to 2B for Chris Newstrom*

-Gabe Juarez strikes out swinging.

-Andrew Palmer strikes out looking.

-Griffin Sorrow strikes out swinging.

END OF TOP HALF

Score: Vols 7, Buccaneers 1

END OF GAME

FINAL: Tennessee Vols 7, ETSU Buccaneers 1

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