Tennessee Baseball Opens the Josh Elander Era with a Statement Sweep
The Josh Elander era in Knoxville couldn’t have asked for a better opening weekend. Tennessee baseball didn’t just win its first series of the season - it dominated it, sweeping Nicholls in three games at Lindsey Nelson Stadium and outscoring the Colonels 27-3 across the weekend. With two run-rule victories and a pitching staff that barely broke a sweat, the Vols looked every bit the part of a team ready to reload, not rebuild.
Let’s break down what we saw from Tennessee’s opening series - from breakout performances to early pitching impressions - and what it all might mean as the season unfolds.
Blaine Brown Wastes No Time Making His Mark
Blaine Brown came into the season with buzz - now he’s got numbers to back it up. The Rice transfer was one of the most talked-about players during fall ball, and Elander made a point to mention him during his introductory press conference. Now we know why.
Brown was a force at the plate all weekend, going 8-for-14 with a double, three home runs, five RBIs and a walk. And those three homers?
They came in a blistering four at-bat stretch on Saturday. The lefty didn’t just hit - he mashed, showcasing the kind of raw power that Tennessee fans have grown accustomed to seeing in recent years.
We expected Brown to be one of the Vols’ top power threats this season. If this weekend is any indication, he might be more than that - he might be the centerpiece of the lineup.
Tyler Myatt Seizes the Moment
Walters State transfer Tyler Myatt came into the year as a bit of a question mark - talented, yes, but with an undefined role. After this weekend, he’s at least made a strong case for more at-bats.
Myatt’s first swing in a Tennessee uniform? A 108 mph missile over the right field wall.
His second at-bat? A hard-hit double off the left-center wall.
He finished the weekend 2-for-4 with a walk in five plate appearances, and while the sample size is small, the impact was loud.
The next step will be seeing how Myatt handles better pitching, but for now, he’s done exactly what you want from a guy fighting for playing time: he’s made it impossible to ignore him.
Starting Rotation Delivers in a Big Way
One of the more intriguing early-season storylines was how Tennessee’s new-look rotation would fare with Elander at the helm. Over the weekend, the trio of Tegan Kuhns, Landon Mack, and Evan Blanco answered that question with authority.
Together, they combined to allow just one run across 18.2 innings - a level of dominance that set the tone for the entire series.
Kuhns was especially sharp, giving up just three total baserunners. Mack allowed the only run of the weekend but also flashed serious strikeout stuff, punching out nine and showing command of multiple off-speed pitches. Blanco worked around some traffic but still tossed five scoreless innings.
It’s early, but this group looked polished and composed - exactly what you want from your weekend arms.
Bullpen Hierarchy Begins to Take Shape
Coming into the season, there were several names in the bullpen mix, but opening weekend gave us the first real look at how the pecking order might shake out.
Tennessee used five relievers: Bo Rhudy, Cameron Appenzeller, Brayden Krenzel, Brady Frederick, and Nic Abraham. Notably, Brandon Arvidson - one of the arms expected to be in the rotation - didn’t pitch due to injury.
Abraham, one of the few returners from last year’s squad, got the ball early and looked steady. He’s not overpowering, but he’s reliable - a valuable trait in a bullpen that’s still sorting itself out.
Rhudy got the nod in a closer-type situation and delivered, striking out two in a clean ninth. Appenzeller, a freshman, might’ve been the most eye-catching of the group, striking out four in two dominant innings. Krenzel held his own, while Frederick had the lone rough outing, giving up two runs in a single frame.
There’s still plenty of time for roles to evolve, but this weekend gave us a glimpse into how Elander might deploy his bullpen early in the year.
Top-Heavy Lineup Still Searching for Depth
While the top of Tennessee’s lineup did most of the heavy lifting, the depth question remains unanswered. Outside of Reese Chapman, who had a strong weekend, the supporting cast didn’t do much to separate itself.
Chris Newstrom, Jay Abernathy, and Ariel Antigua combined for just three hits, though they did draw seven walks between them. It’s far too early to panic, but the Vols will need more consistent production from that second tier of hitters if they want to maintain offensive pressure against better pitching down the road.
For now, it’s a storyline worth watching as non-conference play continues.
Bonus: Lindsey Nelson Stadium Shines After Renovations
Tennessee’s dominance on the field wasn’t the only thing turning heads this weekend. The newly renovated Lindsey Nelson Stadium made its debut, and the upgrades were impossible to miss.
From a dramatically improved media area to the sleek club level and expanded fan amenities - more bathrooms, more concessions, wider concourses - the ballpark has taken a big step forward. The views remain excellent from every angle, and the overall fan experience has clearly been prioritized.
And with the weather cooperating, fans showed up in force to take it all in. It felt like the start of something new - not just for the team, but for the entire Tennessee baseball experience.
Final Word
It’s only one weekend, and Nicholls isn’t the stiffest competition the Vols will face this season. But as far as first impressions go, Tennessee couldn’t have asked for much more. The bats were loud, the arms were sharp, and the energy around the program - from the dugout to the stands - felt fresh and focused.
The Josh Elander era is officially underway, and if this is just the beginning, Tennessee baseball might be in for another special ride.