The Tennessee Volunteers, seeded second, are set to open the Chapel Hill Regional against the three‑seed East Carolina Pirates on Saturday at noon Eastern, a matchup that will be streamed live on ESPNU.
A Pitcher's Duel
Tennessee will turn to right‑hander Evan Blanco, who has been a workhorse this season, while the Pirates counter with Ryan Towers, who enters the game with a 0.86 ERA over his last six outings.
Tennessee’s offense has been one of the most potent in the SEC, but the team has wrestled with inconsistency on the mound, a factor that has kept coaches vigilant as the tournament progresses.
Adding to the intrigue, starter Landon Mack is listed as day‑to‑day with right‑arm soreness, a condition that could influence the Volunteers’ depth chart heading into the regional.
Meanwhile, Reese Chapman has returned to the lineup after missing the SEC Tournament with a facial injury, giving the Vols a boost in the outfield.
Looking Ahead
If the Volunteers can navigate the early rounds, the path could lead to another deep run, but the team will need to lean on its hitting firepower while managing the health of key arms.