Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Ryan Towers across Baseball.
Austin Knight, formerly of East Carolina, steps into the role of pitching coach for Tennessee, bringing a record of top‑20 ERA finishes and a history of developing MLB‑ready talent.
The Pirates will bring back a core group of players for the upcoming campaign while navigating recent departures to the transfer portal.
The Tar Heels clinched a third straight Super Regional appearance after a 9-3 win over ECU, highlighted by strong pitching from Jackson Rose and timely hitting from the lineup.
A rain‑shortened tie earlier this season has set the stage for a high‑stakes showdown between UNC and ECU in the NCAA Regional, where pitching depth and historic edge could decide the winner.
A back‑and‑forth contest saw seven lead changes, a home run by Blake Grimmer and a 14th‑inning surge by the Pirates, leaving Tennessee facing a must‑win game.
The East Carolina Pirates and Tennessee Vols battled through extra innings, with a squeeze play and a home run swinging the lead before a decisive finish.
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 NCAA baseball tournament opens on May 29 with 64 teams, spotlighting North Carolina, Tennessee, East Carolina and VCU as teams with championship aspirations.
The Vols, seeded second in a competitive Chapel Hill Regional, aim to translate recent SEC resilience into NCAA Tournament success.
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, 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.
The 2026 NCAA baseball tournament field is now set, and the Chapel Hill Regional promises a fierce battle among four historic programs. North Carolina enters as the fifth overall seed and will enjoy home‑field advantage while confronting a lineup that includes the Tennessee Volunteers, East Carolina Pirates and VCU Rams.
East Carolina survived a late rally to beat Rice 4‑3, advancing to meet the winner of the UTSA‑Memphis matchup, while Rice now faces UAB in a do‑or‑die game.
With the regular season in the books, analysts re-examine the eight programs that were projected to contend for Omaha, highlighting standout performances, pitching strengths and offensive firepower.