Tennessee is back home this weekend, once again needing to make things happen to keep its standing in the NCAA Tournament. The Volunteers have been projected as a No. 3 seed in various regionals this week, holding on to one of the several final at-large bids in the bracket. No. 4 Texas comes to town now, presenting a big opportunity to move up the board.
Texas is 36-10 overall and 15-8 in SEC play. Jim Schlossnagle’s squad will be looking for another series win over one of his former players, Josh
Elander.
“It’s a championship-level program,” Elander said of Texas. “I mean, I grew up 15 minutes from the University of Texas, and obviously know Coach (Jim) Schlossnagle very well. He was my college head coach, but just the program, (associate head coach) Nolan Cain and what those guys do, he’s a guy I’ve run around on the road recruiting (with). He does a great job. And Max (Weiner), their pitching coach, again, kind of a different style, but his results are undeniable on what they’ve been able to do over there.”
Tennessee will have a stiff test right off the bat, facing Texas lefty Dylan Volantis on Friday night. Volantis has 11 starts on the year, posting seven wins and a 1.87 ERA. The Volunteers will need the absolute best stuff out of Tegan Kuhns to counter.
Tennessee vs. Texas weekend schedule
Game 1 – Friday (6:30 pm on SEC Network+)
Tennessee: RHP Tegan Kuhns (11 GS, 3-4, 3.46 ERA)
Texas: LHP Dylan Volantis (11 GS, 7-0, 1.87 ERA)
Game 2 – Saturday (6 pm on SEC Network+)
Tennessee: LHP Evan Blanco (12 GS, 5-3, 4.36 ERA)
Texas: RHP Ruger Riojas (12 GS, 5-2, 3.71 ERA)
Game 3 – Sunday (12 pm on ESPN2)
Tennessee: RHP Landon Mack (12 GS, 4-4, 4.67 ERA)
Texas: LHP Luke Harrison (12 GS, 5-2, 4.35 ERA)
