Tennessee baseball has new life. After finding ways to blow close games late all season long, the Volunteers finally buttoned up an entire series when they had to have it, sweeping Mississippi State last weekend in Starkville. The sweep took Tennessee from the wrong side of the bubble to the right side, powered by a +17 spot climb in the RPI rankings.
Josh Elander’s crew kept it going in the midweek, run-ruling UNC-Asheville 11-1. Tennessee improved to 25-12 overall, sitting at 7-8 in conference play.
The sudden surge has been powered by the pitching staff, which has allowed just ten earned runs over the last four games.
Tennessee now runs into No. 25 Ole Miss for three in Knoxville — another opportunity to gain some positive ground on that bubble with the season suddenly starting to dwindle. Ole Miss is 27-11 on the year, sitting at 8-7 in SEC play. The Rebels are coming off of a sweep of LSU last weekend.
Tennessee will roll with Mack-Kuhns-Blanco again this weekend. The Vols will face SEC First-Team selection Hunter Elliott on Friday night. Cade Townsend, who is off to a great start with a 2.02 ERA, will get the go on Saturday night. The Rebels have struggled offensively, but they’ve been able to win with a strong starting rotation, which will provide the Tennessee offense with a stiff test.
One note — Tennessee will have catcher Stone Lawless back after he recovered from a facial fracture.
Tennessee-Ole Miss Baseball Weekend Schedule
All games streaming on the ESPN App.
Game 1: Friday (6:30 pm ET, SEC Network+)
Tennessee: RHP Landon Mack (9 GS, 3-2, 3.75 ERA)
Ole Miss: LHP Hunter Elliott (9 GS, 3-1, 3.69 ERA)
Game 2: Saturday (6 pm ET, SEC Network+)
Tennessee: RHP Tegan Kuhns (8 GS, 2-3, 3.77 ERA)
Ole Miss: RHP Cade Townsend (8 GS, 3-1, 2.02 ERA)
Game 3: Sunday (1 pm ET, SEC Network+)
Tennessee: LHP Evan Blanco (9 GS, 3-2, 3.67 ERA)
Ole Miss: RHP Taylor Rabe (3 GS, 3-1, 3.16 ERA)
