SCORE: Tennessee 5, Vanderbilt 6 | FINAL (16 inn)

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No. 21 Tennessee baseball (18-8, 3-4 SEC) is set to battle the Vanderbilt Commodores (15-12, 3-4 SEC) Saturday in game two of a three-game series in Nashville.

First pitch in Lindsey Nelson Stadium is at 2:00 p.m. ET on SEC Network.

Games three will air on ESPN2 Sunday at 12 p.m. ET.

For a full preview of the series, including pitching matchups and more, click HERE.

Tennessee enters Saturday aiming to even the series after suffering a 3-2 series-opening loss Friday in extra innings.

Vanderbilt’s Logan Johnstone walked it off with a two-out base hit to score the game-winning run in the bottom of the 10th.

Tennessee got strong pitching out of starter Brandon Arvidson in his first start of the season and Tegan Kuhns in his first bullpen appearance of the year.

But the Vols’ offense underwhelmed as it’s done for the majority of the season. Levi Clark had two massive hits late, but Commodores’ starter Connor Fennell no-hit UT through 5.1 innings. In total, Tennessee tallied five hits.

Read the full recap of Tennessee’s series-opening loss below.

GAME ONE RECAP: Vanderbilt Walks Off Tennessee Baseball in Series Opener

Tennessee entered the Vanderbilt series on a three-game winning streak after taking games two and three to win the Missouri series last weekend. Tuesday, the Vols claimed a narrow 4-2 midweek win over USC Upstate.

Against Mizzou, the Vols were surprisingly dominated in an 8-4 series-opening loss before achieving a 4-2 victory in game two and 7-1 win in game three.

The series win was massive for Tennessee, as UT desperately needed to win the home series against one of the worst teams in the league.

In Tennessee’s game one loss to Missouri, starting pitcher Tegan Kuhns struggled, allowing four runs on six hits in a season-low 3.0 innings.

Kuhns’ struggles continued a theme of subpar performances at home, and overall, Kuhns has been too inconsistent.

His performances led to Tennessee making a change in its starting rotation as Arvidson started Friday.

Landon Mack will get the ball Saturday and Evan Blanco will start Sunday, which has been the case all season.

PITCHING: Tennessee Baseball Making Change To Weekend Rotation Ahead Of Vanderbilt Series

Opponent Scout

In part due to injuries, it’s been a very shaky start to the season for Vanderbilt. The Commodores played in two neutral site tournaments in non conference play and combined to go 1-5 in those games including losses against UC Irvine and Oklahoma State.

The Commodores opened up SEC play strong, taking two out of three games at home against LSU. But things went much worse last weekend at Mississippi State when the Bulldogs swept the three-game series including a run-rule win in game three.

Vanderbilt had lost five straight games before they bounced back with a victory over Tennessee Tech on Tuesday night. The Commodores have been good at home this season with most of their issues coming away from home.

• 2025 Record: 43-18 (19-11 SEC)
• 2025 Postseason: NCAA Nashville Regional (1-2)
• 2026 SEC Preseason Poll: 8^th
• Head Coach: Tim Corbin
  • Overall Record: 1,084-611-1 (30^th year)
  • Record at VU: 978-473-1 (24^th year)
• Preseason All-Conference Selections (2): 
  • DH/UTL Braden Holcomb (2^nd Team), SP Connor Fennell (2^nd Team)

SERIES HISTORY

• Overall: Vols lead, 189-171-2
• In Knoxville: Vols lead, 101-62-1
• In Nashville: Commodores lead, 104-81-1
• At Neutral Sites: Vols lead, 7-5
• Last 10 Meetings: Series tied, 5-5

Info courtesy UT Athletics in italics

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 Reacts to Tennessee Baseball’s Series-Opening Walk-Off Loss to Vanderbilt

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

TENNESSEE STARTING NINE: 

Lineup Notes:

• Grimmer got banged up Friday taking a foul ball off the kneecap so he is not in the field. Tyler Myatt in at second while Grimmer DHs.
• Grimmer still at leadoff. Manny moves up to the two-hole. Highest he’s hit this year.
• Lawless remains behind the plate, Clark at first.
• Garrett Wright moves down to the nine hole.
• Same 9 as Friday, just different order and Myatt and Grimmer swap positions.
• Still no Jay Abernathy, Chris Newstrom or Ariel Antigua.

VANDERBILT STARTING NINE: 

LF Mike Mancini (L)

DH Colin Barczi (R)

2B Brodie Johnston (R)

3B Braden Holcomb (R)

RF Logan Johnstone (L)

CF Rustan Rigdon (S)

1B Chris Maldonado (R)

SS Ryker Waite (S)

C Korbin Reynolds (R)

Pitching Matchup:

Vols So. RHP Landon Mack (3-2, 3.38 ERA, 6 app., 6 starts, 32.0 IP, 33 H, 13 R, 12 ER, 16 BB, 30 K, 8 XBH, .273 opp. batting avg., 1.53 WHIP)

vs.

Commodores Fr. RHP Wyatt Nadeau (1-1, 3.27 ERA, 6 app., 3 starts, 22.0 IP, 17 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 13 BB, 29 K, 6 XBH, .215 opp. batting avg.)

Pitching notes:

• Mack continues to operate in a day two role. He’s been shaky in SEC play, offering 11 walks in his past three contests combined. He pitched a season-low 4.0 innings last week vs. Missouri
  • Cam Appenzeller will follow Mack out of the pen. He’s been Tennessee’s best arm in SEC play so far.
• Nadeau became Vandy’s day two starter after Austin Nye suffered a season-ending injury.
  • Nadeau struggled mightily last week vs. Mississippi State allowing five runs on five walks and seven hits in 4.0 IP.
  • Nadeau gave up three runs in 7.0 IP two weeks ago vs. LSU. His best performance of the season.

Uniforms

Tennessee: Orange tops, grey pants

Vanderbilt: White pinstripes

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*NOTES*

• Run-rule is MANDATORY in SEC play. If Tennessee or Vanderbilt leads by 10 or more runs in M7 or later, the game is over.

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GAME THREAD

1st Inning: 

T1

-Blake Grimmer strikes out swinging.

• Worked count to 3-2 after down 0-2 but ultimately goes around on a check swing.

-Manny Marin grounds out to P.

-Henry Ford strikes out looking.

END OF TOP HALF

B1

-Mike Mancini strikes out looking.

-Colin Barczi singles up the middle.

-Brodie Johnston strikes out swinging.

-Braden Holcomb drives a single to left field. Barczi to third.

-Logan Johnstone strikes out swinging.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 0, Commodores 0

2nd Inning: 

T2

-Blaine Brown flies out to CF at the warning track.

-Reese Chapman grounds out to 1B unassisted.

-Stone Lawless pops up to 1B.

END OF TOP HALF

B2

-Rustan Rigdon grounds out to 2B.

-Chris Maldonado grounds out to 3B.

-Ryker Waite strikes out looking.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 0, Commodores 0

3rd Inning: 

T3

-Tyler Myatt strikes out swinging on three pitches.

-Levi Clark is walked on four pitches.

-Garrett Wright grounds into a 6-4-3 double play.

END OF TOP HALF

B3

-Korbin Reynolds HBP.

• 1-2 pitch into the center of the bat.

-Mike Mancini strikes out swinging.

-Colin Barczi strikes out swinging.

-Brodie Johnston drops a single into left field. Reynolds to second.

-Braden Holcomb strikes out swinging.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 0, Commodores 0

4th Inning: 

T4

-Blake Grimmer strikes out

-Manny Marin strikes out

-Henry Ford reaches on a fielding error by 3B.

-Blaine Brown strikes out looking.

END OF TOP HALF

B4

-Logan Johnstone grounds out to 1B unassisted.

-Rustan Rigdon reaches on a throwing error by 2B.

• Really ugly throw from Myatt on a routine grounder.

-Chris Maldonado singles to right field, reaches second and third on a fielding error by RF. Rigdon scores on the error.

• Ball skipped over Chapman’s glove and went to the wall.

-Ryker Waite hammers a two-run homer to right field.

-Korbin Reynolds doubles to left field.

• High-hit ball landed just fair.

*Josh Reynolds out to talk to Mack*

-Mike Mancini punishes a two-run homer to left field.

• Hit off the top of the monster. Ball was mashed.

-Colin Barczi strikes out looking.

-Brodie Johnston pops up to SS.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 0, Commodores 5

5th Inning: 

T5

-Reese Chapman strikes out swinging.

-Stone Lawless grounds out to SS.

-Tyler Myatt grounds out to 2B.

END OF TOP HALF

B5

-Braden Holcomb flies out to RF.

-Logan Johnstone singles through the right side.

-Chris Maldonado pops up to SS.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 0, Commodores 5

6th Inning: 

T6

-Levi Clark HBP.

-Garrett Wright singles to left field, advances to second on the error. Clark to second, advances to third on the error.

-Blake Grimmer drives a two-run single to right-center.

-Manny Marin singles through the left side. Grimmer to second.

-Henry Ford hammers a three-run homer to left-center.

• Ford’s 9th HR of the season.
• 388 feet, 107 mph
• Just like that it’s tied. Unreal. Four straight hits and this Tennessee offense has finally come to life.

-Blaine Brown grounds out to 2B.

-Reese Chapman flies out to RF.

-Stone Lawless pops up to 2B.

END OF TOP HALF

B6

*Pitching change: Fr. LHP Cam Appenzeller (3-0, 1.77 ERA) on to pitch for Mack*

-Ryker Waite grounds out to SS.

-Korbin Reynolds strikes out swinging.

-Mike Mancini singles to right field, out at second 9-6.

• Ill-advised decision to try and advance to second. Bounced off the wall right to Chapman, who makes a great throw to second in time.
• Play was reviewed and stood.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 5, Commodores 5

7th Inning: 

T7

*Pitching change: RHP Tyler Baird (0-1, 6.89 ERA) on to pitch for Nadeau*

-Tyler Myatt sends a single through the right side.

• Jay Abernathy pinch-running.

-Levi Clark grounds into a 6-4-3 double play.

-Garrett Wright grounds out to 3B.

END OF TOP HALF

B7

*Abernathy to 2B.

-Colin Barczi grounds out to 3B.

-Brodie Johnston flies out to CF.

• Ball was slicing away from him and Wright made the diving catch. Fantastic play.

-Braden Holcomb grounds out to SS.

• Great play from Manny Marin. Challenging slow roller but Manny was able to make the play.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 5, Commodores 5

8th Inning: 

T8

-Blake Grimmer strikes out swinging, out at first C to 1B.

-Manny Marin strikes out swinging.

-Henry Ford works a walk.

-Blaine Brown strikes out swinging.

END OF TOP HALF

B8

-Logan Johnstone grounds out to SS.

-Rustan Rigdon pops up to SS in shallow left-center.

-Chris Maldonado flies out to RF.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 5, Commodores 5

9th Inning: 

T9

-Reese Chapman grounds out to SS.

-Stone Lawless singles to left field.

-Jay Abernathy flies out to CF.

-Levi Clark flies out to RF.

• RF and 2B collided but Johnstone held onto it.

END OF TOP HALF

B9

-Ryker Waite strikes out swinging.

-Korbin Reynolds singles to left field.

*Cade Sears pinch-running for Reynolds*

-Mike Mancini singles up the middle. Reynolds to second.

-Colin Barczi flies out to LF.

-Brodie Johnston fouls out to 1B.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 5, Commodores 5

10th Inning: 

T10

*Mack Whitcomb to C for Cade Sears*

-Garrett Wright flies out to RF.

-Blake Grimmer strikes out swinging.

-Manny Marin pops up to 1B.

END OF TOP HALF

B10

-Braden Holcomb grounds out to 2B.

-Logan Johnstone flies out to LF.

-Rustan Rigdon flies out to RF.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 5, Commodores 5

10th Inning: 

T11

-Henry Ford flies out to LF.

-Blaine Brown grounds out to 1B unassisted.

-Reese Chapman is walked.

-Stone Lawless flies out to RF.

END OF TOP HALF

B11

-Nick Maldonado strikes out swinging.

-Ryker Waite doubles to left field.

• Sliced away from Reese. Easy double.

-Mack Whitcomb strikes out looking.

-Mike Mancini grounds out to 1B unassisted.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 5, Commodores 5

12th Inning: 

T12

*RHP Nate Schlote (2-0, 0.00 ERA) on to pitch for Baird*

-Jay Abernathy strikes out looking.

-Levi Clark flies out to CF.

-Garrett Wright HBP.

-Blake Grimmer reaches on a fielder’s choice to SS. Wright out at second, 6U.

END OF TOP HALF

B12

*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Bo Rhudy (0-0, 1.80 ERA) on to pitch for Appenzeller*

-Colin Barczi pops up to 2B.

-Brodie Johnston flies out to RF.

-Braden Holcomb strikes out swinging.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

13th Inning: 

T13

-Manny Marin HBP.

-Henry Ford flies out to CF.

Marin advances to second on a passed ball.

-Blaine Brown fouls out to C.

-Reese Chapman intentionally walked.

-Stone Lawless grounds out to 2B.

END OF TOP HALF

B13

-Logan Johnstone strikes out looking.

-Rustan Rigdon flies out to LF.

-Chris Maldonado grounds out to 3B.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 5, Commodores 5

14th Inning: 

T14

-Jay Abernathy flies out to CF.

-Levi Clark strikes out looking.

-Garrett Wright singles to SS.

Wright reaches second on a wild pitch.

-Blake Grimmer intentionally walked.

-Manny Marin strikes out looking.

END OF TOP HALF

B14

-Ryker Waite flies out to CF.

-Mack Whitcomb flies out to LF.

-Mike Mancini flies out to LF at the warning track.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 5, Commodores 5

15th Inning: 

T15

*Pitching change: RHP Luke Guth (1-1, 3.52 ERA) on to pitch for Schlote*

-Henry Ford strikes out swinging.

-Blaine Brown works a walk.

-Reese Chapman singles to right-center. Brown to third.

-Stone Lawless grounds out to P, bunt.

-Jay Abernathy grounds out to 2B.

• Close call. Tennessee is challenging. Looked out to me.

END OF TOP HALF

B15

*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Brady Frederick (4-0, 3.32 ERA) on to pitch for Rhudy*

-Colin Barczi singles up the middle.

*Brightwell pinch-running for Barczi*

-Brodie Johnston pops up to SS.

Brightwell caught stealing second, 2-4.

-Braden Holcomb strikes out swinging.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 5, Commodores 5

16th Inning: 

T16

*Pitching change: RHP Nate Taylor (0-3, 7.91 ERA) on to pitch for Guth*

-Levi Clark strikes out swinging.

-Garrett Wright singles through the left side.

Wright advances to second on a wild pitch.

-Blake Grimmer strikes out swinging.

Wright advances to third on a wild pitch.

-Manny Marin strikes out swinging.

END OF TOP HALF

B16

-Logan Johnstone flies out to LF.

-Rustan Rigdon walks.

*Max Jensen pinch-hitting for Chris Maldonado*

-Jensen works a walk. Rigdon to second.

*Pitching change: So. RHP Brayden Krenzel (1-1, 5.73 ERA) on to pitch for Frederick*

Double steal.

• Play was challenged and upheld.

-Ryker Waite intentionally walked.

• Bases loaded with one out for Mack Whitcomb

-Whitcomb executes a safety squeeze bunt to walk it off.

Score: Vols 5, Commodores 6

FINAL: Tennessee Vols 5, Vanderbilt Commodores 6 (16 inn)