SCORE: Tennessee 4, Ole Miss 7 | FINAL (Ole Miss leads series 1-0)
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Tennessee baseball (25-12, 7-8 SEC) is set to battle the No. 25 Ole Miss Rebels (27-11, 8-7 SEC) Friday in game one of a three-game series in Knoxville.
First pitch at Lindsey Nelson Stadium is at 6:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network +.
For a full preview of the series, including first pitch times, broadcast details and a prediction, click HERE.
Tennessee is doing a ‘Checker Lindsey Nelson Stadium’ for Saturday’s game against Ole Miss. Read all the details HERE.
Tennessee enters the series on a five-game winning streak, having eased to a pair of midweek victories to bookend a sweep at Mississippi State.
The Vols dominated in Starkville, winning game one 6-5, game two 6-2 and game three 7-2. Tennessee led by three runs late in game one, as the Vols were clearly the better team all weekend.
Starting pitching was great once again, and Tennessee didn’t need to go deep into the bullpen. Relievers Cam Appenzeller, Brandon Arvidson and Bo Rhudy got all but two bullpen outs in the series and pitched very well.
More From RTI: Four Takeaways From Tennessee Baseball Sweeping Mississippi State
The story, though, was Tennessee’s offense coming to life. The Vols’ bats got hot in the Magnolia State, totaling 33 hits. The bottom of the lineup produced, while Garrett Wright and Trent Grindlinger were remarkably consistent.
It was a complete effort. Tennessee played complementary, clean baseball all weekend and was rewarded with three wins. The Vols will aim to keep the momentum going this weekend against another Mississippi team as the Rebels come to town.
Tennessee took two-of-three last year in Oxford, when Liam Doyle and Andrew Fischer took care of business against their former team.
After back-to-back heartbreaking series losses to Vanderbilt and LSU in which Tennessee went 1-5 across the two weekends, the narrative on the season has changed.
Everything is in front of Tennessee after sweeping a Top-10 opponent on the road. At 7-8 in league play, hosting is on the table again and an NCAA Tournament berth feels very likely.
Opponent Scout
Entering the sixth weekend of SEC play, there are nine teams with either a 7-8 or 8-7 record in conference play. Ole Miss is 8-7 entering this weekend while Tennessee is 7-8. The result of this weekend could have major implications down the stretch.
SEC play has been up-and-down for the Rebels. They opened conference play with a series loss against Texas before taking two of three against Kentucky. Mississippi State swept Ole Miss in Starkville but since then, the Rebels have won five of six.
Ole Miss took two of three games against Florida in Gainesville before sweeping LSU at home last weekend.
- 2025 Record: 43-21 (16-14 SEC)
- 2025 Postseason: NCAA Oxford Regional (3-2)
- 2026 SEC Preseason Poll: 10th
- Head Coach: Mike Bianco
- Overall Record: 1,076-646-1 (29th year)
- Record at UM: 976-575-1 (26th year)
- Preseason All-Conference Selections (2):
- SP Hunter Elliott (1st team), 1B Will Furniss (2nd team)
SERIES HISTORY:
- Overall: Ole Miss leads, 52-47-1
- In Knoxville: Ole Miss leads, 23-21
- In Oxford: Ole Miss leads, 26-25-1
- At Neutral Sites: Ole Miss leads, 3-1
- Last 10 Meetings: UT leads, 7-3
- Last Meeting: April 13, 2025 (W, 10-8 in Oxford)
Info courtesy UT Athletics in italics
Prediction: Tennessee wins two of three
If the offense continues to roll, Tennessee will win this series. The starting pitching is too good.
Furthermore, if the starting pitching is SO good to where Tennessee doesn’t have to use any bullpen arms past Appenzeller, Arvidson and Rhudy, Tennessee should win.
But baseball is baseball. Anything can happen as we’ve seen this season. Still, I’ll say Tennessee keeps momentum going and wins games one and three.
Tegan Kuhns is a player to watch. He’s been worse at home this year than on the road. Coming off a career-best outing, can he rid himself of the home struggles?
Injury/Availability Notes
- Tennessee hopes to get Stone Lawless back SOON. He is available to DH this weekend but if he sees action, it will likely just be pinch-hit opps due to Grindlinger grabbing the reins at DH.
- It will be interesting to see how Elander manages the Clark-Wright-Lawless catcher situation once Stone is back to 100%. Grindlinger is not moving out of the lineup barring a slump.
- Chris Newstrom did NOT travel with the team to Starkville due to an internal issue. He is BACK in the fold this weekend.
- Ariel Antigua is managing a banged up shoulder but he hasn’t been unavailable.
- VolQuest’s Eric Cain reported freshman INF Evan Hankins is OUT for the season with a knee injury he suffered in warm ups ahead of game two at Vanderbilt.
TRANSCRIPT: What Josh Elander Said About Win Over UNC Asheville, Five-Game Winning Streak
For all of RTI’s baseball coverage so far this season, click here.
For the latest RTI Diamond Pass podcast discussing the Mississippi State series sweep to get the season back on track, click HERE.
VIDEO: Josh Elander Discusses Midweek Win Over UNC Asheville, Talks Ole Miss Series
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 Garrett Wright (R)
RF Reese Chapman (L)
3B Henry Ford (R)
1B Blake Grimmer (L)
DH Trent Grindlinger (R)
LF Blaine Brown (L)
SS Manny Marin (R)
C Levi Clark (R)
2B Jay Abernathy (L)
Lineup Notes:
- Same lineup Tennessee used Friday and Sunday last week.
- Grindlinger remains at DH and five hole. Blaine still at 6, but he’s been hitting the ball better as of late.
- Chapman, too, has done well since moving to the two hole.
- Manny Marin looking to stay hot.
- Abernathy gets the 2B nod with Levi behind the plate, Wright in center and Grimmer at first.
- Wright SHOULD catch Saturday, Clark again Sunday.
- Stone Lawless may be able to hit this weekend off the bench, or DH a game.
OLE MISS STARTING NINE:
2B Dom Decker (L)
RF Tristan Bissetta (L)
3B Judd Utermark (R)
1B Will Furniss (L)
CF Hayden Frederico (S)
DH Owen Paino (L)
SS Brayden Randle (L)
C Austin Fawley (R)
LF Cannon Goldin (L)
Pitching Matchup:
Vols So. RHP Landon Mack (3-2, 3.75 ERA, 9 app., 9 starts, 48.0 IP, 50 H, 22 R, 20 ER, 17 BB, 64 K, 15 XBH, .269 opp. batting avg., 1.40 WHIP)
vs.
Rebels F-Jr. LHP Hunter Elliott (3-1, 3.69 ERA, 9 app., 9 starts, 46.1 IP, 37 H, 20 R, 19 ER, 27 BB, 68 K, 13 XBH, .219 opp. batting avg., 1.38 WHIP)
Pitching Notes:
- Mack gets his third straight Friday start. He was brilliant two weeks ago against LSU and solid last week. Miss State outing ended in a hurry after giving up back-to-back homers to open the fifth.
- It seems Elander and co. want to get to Appenzeller at the earliest sign of adversity for whoever he follows. It’s been a Mack-Appenzeller stack every week but one in SEC play. After using it for the first time on a Friday last week, it’s likely the freshman follows Mack again.
- Elliott has been solid but not dominant in SEC play. Given up 2-4 runs in every start but one, when he shoved against Kentucky (6.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K).
- Been consistent. Expect him to go 5-6 innings around 100 pitches. Very solid SEC starter.
Uniforms
Tennessee: Dark Mode
Ole Miss: Red tops, white pants, camo caps and helmets with dark blue accents
*NOTES*
- Run-rule is MANDATORY in SEC play. If Tennessee or Ole Miss leads by 10 or more runs at the end of the seventh inning or later, the game is over.
GAME THREAD
1st Inning:
T1
-Dom Decker grounds out to 2B.
-Tristan Bissetta works a walk.
-Judd Utermark flies out to LF.
-Will Furniss strikes out swinging.
- Mack’s first K of the night a big one. Wins a 7-pitch battle to strand a runner.
END OF TOP HALF
B1
-Garrett Wright grounds out to SS.
-Reese Chapman drives a solo homer to right field.
- 5th HR of the season
- Into the UT bullpen
- 361 feet, 103 mph
-Henry Ford fouls out to 3B.
-Blake Grimmer singles to 2B.
- Tough play for the second baseman to make as it was away from his body. Slow roller, too.
-Trent Grindlinger HBP. Grimmer to second.
–Blaine Brown absolutely launched a ball just foul–
-Blaine Brown strikes out looking.
- 23-pitch inning for Elliott. Mack threw the same amount in T1.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 1, Rebels 0
2nd Inning:
T2
-Hayden Federico homers to right field.
- Wallscraper. Moonshot.
-Owen Paino flies out to LF.
-Brayden Randle grounds out to 2B.
- Really smooth play by Jay on a ball up the middle
-Austin Fawley grounds out to 1B unassisted.
END OF TOP HALF
B2
-Manny Marin flies out to CF.
-Levi Clark strikes out swinging.
-Jay Abernathy flies out to RF.
- 9-pitch inning for Elliott
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 1, Rebels 1
3rd Inning:
T3
-Cannon Goldin strikes out swinging.
-Dom Decker grounds out to SS up the middle.
-Tristan Bissetta destroys a solo homer to right center.
- 414 feet, 111 mph. Ball was destroyed.
-Judd Utermark hammers a solo homer to right field
-Will Furniss HBP.
-Hayden Federico flies out to CF.
END OF TOP HALF
B3
-Garrett Wright strikes out swinging on three pitches.
-Reese Chapman strikes out swinging on three pitches.
-Henry Ford singles to 3B.
- Off Utermark’s glove as he dove for it. Hard-hit ball.
-Blake Grimmer HBP. Ford to second.
- 0-2 pitch
Runners advance on a throwing error by P, failed pickoff attempt
-Trent Grindlinger strikes out swinging.
- Called check swing for strike three. Was close. Ball was inside.
- 52 pitches through three for Elliott. Fairly high pitch count for both starters so far.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 1, Rebels 3
4th Inning:
T4
-Owen Paino singles to SS.
- Good job by Manny to get to it in the gap on the dive. But no chance at making the throw in time.
-Brayden Randle strikes out swinging on three pitches.
-Austin Fawley works a walk.
-Cannon Goldin reaches on a fielder’s choice to P. Fawley out at second, 1-6. Paino to third.
- Comebacker went into Mack’s glove and it fell off his hand. Mack recovers, bare hand fields the ball and fires to second to get an out.
-Dom Decker dribbles an RBI single through the left side. Paino scores. Goldin to second.
- Beat the shift. Six hole was wide open.
-Tristan Bissetta grounds out to C.
- Nice throw by Levi Clark
END OF TOP HALF
B4
–Blaine Brown obliterates his first pitch just foul–
-Blaine Brown flies out to LF at the warning track.
-Manny Marin flies out to RF.
-Levi Clark pops up to 1B down the right-field line.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 1, Rebels 4
5th Inning:
T5
-Judd Utermark HBP.
- Tennessee CHALLENGED the play saying it hit the nob of the bat. The play was UPHELD.
- Tennessee has one challenge remaining.
-Will Furniss bounces a double down the left-field line. Utermark to third.
- Just slapped it right down the line to beat the shift. Was not hard hit.
-Hayden Federico drills an RBI single to right field. Furniss to third.
-Owen Paino grounds into a 3-6 double play. Furniss scores on the double play.
- Nice turn by Grimmer. Snagged the ball along the foul line and fired to second to complete the double play.
-Brayden Randle strikes out swinging.
END OF TOP HALF
B5
-Jay Abernathy slaps a single to left-center.
-Garrett Wright HBP. Abernathy to second.
- 14th HBP for Wright this year. 63rd in his career. 5th most in D1 Baseball.
-Reese Chapman flies out to LF.
-Henry Ford drops an RBI single to left field. Abernathy scores. Wright to second.
-Blake Grimmer grounds into a 4-6-3 double play.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 2, Rebels 6
6th Inning:
T6
-Austin Fawley strikes out swinging.
*Pitching change: So. LHP Nic Abraham (1-0, 4.82 ERA) in to pitch for Mack*
-Cannon Goldin grounds out to P.
-Dom Decker pops up to SS.
END OF TOP HALF
B6
-Trent Grindlinger grounds out to 1B unassisted.
-Blaine Brown is walked on four pitches.
-Manny Marin grounds into a 5-4-3 double play.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 2, Rebels 6
7th Inning:
T7
-Tristan Bissetta strikes out swinging.
-Judd Utermark reaches on a fielding error by 2B.
Utermark advances to second on a passed ball
-Will Furniss grounds out to 1B unassisted. Utermark to third.
-Hayden Federico sends an RBI single to center, out at second 8-4. Utermark scores.
END OF TOP HALF
B7
*Federico to LF*
*Brett Moseley to CF for Goldin*
-Levi Clark singles to 2B.
*Pitching change: RHP Hudson Calhoun in to pitch for Elliott*
-Jay Abernathy rips a two-run homer to right field.
- Into the bullpen.
- 337 feet, 99 mph
- Abernathy’s 2nd HR of the season.
-Garrett Wright reaches on a fielding error by 3B.
-Reese Chapman grounds out to 2B. Wright to second.
-Henry Ford strikes out swinging.
-Blake Grimmer strikes out swinging.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 4, Rebels 7
8th Inning:
T8
*Pitching change: Fr LHP Chandler Day (0-0, 12.46 ERA) in to pitch for Abraham*
-Owen Paino strikes out swinging.
-Brayden Randle strikes out swinging.
-Austin Fawley strikes out looking.
END OF TOP HALF
B8
-Trent Grindlinger strikes out swinging.
-Blaine Brown flies out to CF.
-Manny Marin strikes out swinging.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 4, Rebels 7
9th Inning:
T9
*Pitching change: LHP Will Haas (0-0, 12.00 ERA) in to pitch for Day*
- SEC debut for Haas
-Brett Moseley grounds out to SS.
-Dom Decker lines out to 2B.
-Tristan Bissetta strikes out swinging on three pitches.
END OF TOP HALF
B9
*Pitching change: LHP Will Hooks (3-0, 2.40 ERA) in to pitch for Calhoun*
-Levi Clark grounds out to 3B.
-Jay Abernathy grounds out to 2B.
-Garrett Wright grounds out to 3B.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 4, Rebels 7
END OF GAME
FINAL: Tennessee Vols 4, Ole Miss Rebels 7 (Ole Miss leads 1-0)
