Tennessee Baseball Sets Opening Weekend Rotation: Kuhns, Mack, Blanco to Start Against Nicholls
The Elander era at Tennessee baseball is officially set to begin, and we now know who’ll be toeing the rubber to kick things off. Sophomore right-hander Tegan Kuhns will get the nod as the Vols’ Opening Day starter this Friday against Nicholls, head coach Josh Elander confirmed Monday morning. He’ll be followed by a pair of transfers with big-game experience: Rutgers product Landon Mack on Saturday and Virginia’s Evan Blanco on Sunday.
Elander didn’t shy away from the significance of these choices, but emphasized the confidence he has in all three arms.
“I think you can make the argument where you can mix and match those guys in any capacity,” Elander said. “But total confidence in all three of those guys and their ability to throw the baseball.”
Kuhns Gets the Friday Night Spotlight
For Kuhns, the Friday night role is more than just a title - it’s a statement of trust from the coaching staff. As a freshman, Kuhns showed flashes of promise, starting 10 games (third-most on the team) and striking out 40 batters in 36.2 innings. But his 5.40 ERA left room for growth, and he knew it.
Elander pointed to the end of last season - when Kuhns threw in the SEC Tournament in Hoover and didn’t see the mound again - as a turning point. That moment lit a fire, and Kuhns carried that edge into a dominant summer stint in the Cape Cod League.
“Nobody was happy with how (last) season ended,” Elander said. “He goes to the Cape and dominates, for lack of a better term. I think that has really driven him throughout the offseason.”
The coaching staff has worked closely with Kuhns to refine his repertoire. Without giving away too much, Elander hinted at some key adjustments to his pitch mix and approach that now allow him to attack both righties and lefties more effectively. Combine that with a competitive edge that Elander called “as good as it gets,” and it’s clear why Kuhns earned the Friday night role.
Mack Brings Big Ten Pedigree to Saturday
Saturday’s starter, Landon Mack, arrives in Knoxville after making a name for himself as Rutgers’ ace last year. As a freshman, the 6-foot-1 righty went 6-5 with a 4.03 ERA and racked up 70 strikeouts to just 17 walks over 80.1 innings - good enough to earn a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team.
Mack’s ability to go deep into games and command the zone stood out. He led all Big Ten freshmen in innings pitched and strikeouts, and ranked second in ERA and WHIP.
One of his signature moments came against then-No. 9 Oregon, where he threw seven shutout innings in a dominant road performance.
Recruited out of Bishop Eustace Prep in New Jersey, Mack was a top-10 in-state prospect and a top-400 player nationally. Elander didn’t hold back in his praise, even drawing a comparison to a former Vols ace.
“There’s some Chase Dollander in there,” Elander said. “Even some similarities in the delivery, but the compete factor is about as good as it gets. And the stuff is, it’s just gross to be honest.”
Blanco Brings Experience and Upside on Sunday
Rounding out the weekend rotation is left-hander Evan Blanco, who transfers in from Virginia with plenty of experience - and something to prove. After a breakout sophomore season in 2024, where he went 8-3 with a 3.62 ERA and led the Cavaliers in virtually every major pitching category, Blanco battled injuries last year and never quite found his rhythm.
Still, he managed to make 14 appearances (eight starts) and struck out 36 batters in 33 innings. The numbers may not jump off the page - a 6.23 ERA and a 3-5 record - but the tools are still there. Blanco was a Preseason Second Team All-American heading into 2025 for a reason.
Elander pointed to Blanco’s consistency and versatility as major assets. He’s pitched in Omaha, handled a variety of roles, and brings a mature, steady presence to the mound.
“You know what you’re going to get,” Elander said. “It’s a very comforting feeling as a coach. He had, arguably, numbers-wise, the best fall of any pitcher we had on the staff.”
Blanco’s fastball has good ride, his changeup offers strong separation, and he’s been through both the highs and lows of college baseball. That kind of experience can be invaluable, especially in a Sunday role that often requires grit and adaptability.
First Pitch of a New Era
Tennessee, ranked No. 14 nationally, opens the season at home with a three-game set against Nicholls at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. First pitch Friday is set for 4 p.m.
ET, with Saturday and Sunday games both scheduled for 1 p.m. All three games will stream live on SEC Network+.
This weekend won’t just mark the start of a new season - it’s the beginning of a new chapter under Josh Elander. And with Kuhns, Mack, and Blanco leading the charge on the mound, the Vols are setting a tone early: they’re deep, they’re hungry, and they’re ready to compete.