
Tennessee Volunteers’ NCAA Tournament Run Ends in Early Exit
The Volunteers dropped two games in the NCAA tournament, succumbing to clutch hitting deficits and a thin pitching staff.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Josh Elander across Baseball.

The Volunteers dropped two games in the NCAA tournament, succumbing to clutch hitting deficits and a thin pitching staff.

A late two‑RBI double by Nate Kirkpatrick sealed a 5‑4 defeat for Tennessee, prompting Coach Josh Elander to explain the decision to protect Cam Appenzeller’s future and address the team’s unreliable bullpen.
The Volunteers fell 5-4 to VCU, marking their first winless regional and ending a streak of five straight super regional appearances. Coach Josh Elander called for adjustments, while the offense went 0‑for‑7 with runners in scoring position and starter Tegan Kuhns battled illness.

Tennessee baseball saw its season conclude with a 5‑4 defeat to VCU in the Chapel Hill Regional, finishing 38‑22 overall. RTI analysts Jack Foster and Ryan Schumpert break down the game, the team's performance and what lies ahead for new coach Josh Elander.
A 7‑3 defeat in 14 innings dropped Tennessee into the losers bracket, but Coach Josh Elander sees the pressure as a catalyst. Sophomore pitcher Tegan Kuhns is available, and a win would push the Vols into another elimination showdown on May 31.
Tennessee’s 7‑3 defeat to East Carolina after fourteen innings highlights missed chances and a taxed bullpen, setting up a must‑win elimination game on May 30.

A marathon game in Chapel Hill saw the Tennessee Volunteers battle East Carolina through extra innings, with key performances from Blanco, Ford and Barron, but ultimately the Pirates secured a 7‑3 victory.
The Volunteers secured a 1‑1 tie after six innings, highlighted by a home run, a key defensive play, and strategic pitching changes that kept the tournament hopes alive.

The second‑seeded Volunteers meet East Carolina in a regional clash defined by injuries, pitching talent, and passionate fan support.

No. 23 Tennessee meets East Carolina in the Chapel Hill Regional, with a pitching duel and key player updates shaping the preview.

The Volunteers open against the Pirates in a regional that promises a pitching duel, small‑ball tactics and passionate fan support.

The Vols open their NCAA Tournament campaign on Friday at noon ET against East Carolina, a matchup that pits two promising pitchers and carries notable betting implications.
The 2026 Tennessee Volunteers baseball team finished its midweek schedule without a loss, a feat unseen in the 21st century. Guided by first‑year head coach Josh Elander, the Volunteers navigated a slate of mid‑major opponents, highlighted by a clutch walk‑off homer from Blake Grimmer. The unbeaten run stands in stark contrast to past championship‑bound teams that stumbled in similar games, underscoring a historic shift in the program’s momentum.

A look at the top hitters, pitchers, and storylines heading into the first round of the 2026 NCAA baseball tournament.
The Vols, seeded second in a competitive Chapel Hill Regional, aim to translate recent SEC resilience into NCAA Tournament success.

The Tar Heels open their 38th NCAA Tournament at home, facing ACC rivals as freshman Caden Glauber leads a defense that tops the conference.

Senior outfielder Reese Chapman returns from a facial injury, bolstering Tennessee's lineup as the Vols prepare for their seventh straight NCAA Tournament run.

The Volunteers begin their NCAA tournament journey in Chapel Hill, facing East Carolina as the two‑seed, with Blanco on the mound and Reese Chapman available for the lineup.

The Tennessee Volunteers prepare to face the East Carolina Pirates, with captain Reese Chapman back in the lineup and a potential clash with VCU or North Carolina on the horizon.

With the Chapel Hill regional on the horizon, the Tennessee Volunteers and ECU Pirates are poised for a pivotal clash. The Pirates' choice to sit their top pitcher early adds intrigue to the matchup, while the Vols plan to unleash their own ace later in the competition.

The Volunteers will rely on sophomore left‑hander Evan Blanco to lead the charge in the first game of their regional tournament, with a potential rotation shift looming if they secure a win.

The Volunteers open their NCAA Tournament run against East Carolina in Chapel Hill, with senior pitcher Evan Blanco leading the charge on the mound.
The Volunteers, ranked No. 25, will face the Pirates on May 29 at Boshamer Stadium. Coach Josh Elander praises Blanco's maturity, while Reese Chapman returns from injury.

Evan Blanco will start for Tennessee against East Carolina in the NCAA Baseball Tournament's Chapel Hill Regional on Friday, while Ryan Towers, a 3.04 ERA pitcher, anchors the Pirates' rotation.