Saturday’s showdown between Tennessee and Texas had a much different complexion than Friday’s pitching duel. Game 2 of the series in Knoxville started with a bang, as both teams exchanged home runs in the first inning.
The barrage continued as the Vols launched six home runs to the Longhorns’ two in a 14-9 Tennessee victory. A number of young prospects stood out on both sides, but two freshmen are making a case for postseason accolades and a rise in draft status as their collegiate careers progress.
Vols freshman paces the pack
Trent Grindlinger’s presence in the middle of Tennessee’s lineup has been the most reliable piece for an offense that has often lacked consistency during conference play. While the Vols entered Saturday hitting .251 against SEC opponents, Grindlinger has stood above the rest. The freshman entered the second game against Texas batting .338 against conference pitching.
A catcher by trade, Grindlinger has served as Tennessee’s primary designated hitter over the past month. With the Vols carrying several catching options, Grindlinger’s clearest path to the lineup has come in the batter’s box. That has proven more than viable, as he has helped stabilize an offense in need of production from the middle of the order.
After logging just seven at-bats across the first three SEC series, Grindlinger now has 70 conference at-bats. The freshman eclipsed 100 total at-bats Friday by driving in a run on his lone hit. On Saturday, Grindlinger went 4 for 5 and finished a triple shy of the cycle against Luke Harrison’s unscheduled start. Grindlinger tagged the senior pitcher for a home run and a double during Harrison’s 3 2/3 innings.
Grindlinger credited growing confidence for helping sustain his success in SEC play.
“Yeah, I just felt, I mean — I’ve always had confidence,” Grindlinger said Saturday. “But just being able to get in there every day definitely helped boost my confidence for sure.”
Grindlinger could become a prized commodity in next year’s draft, especially if he can provide effective catching duties for the Vols in 2027.
Pack powers Texas as a freshman
Texas also had a freshman shine Saturday, and he ranks among the SEC leaders in several offensive categories.
Anthony Pack Jr. entered Saturday with a .367 batting average and .477 on-base percentage in conference play. Those numbers, along with nine stolen bases, have him firmly in the SEC Freshman of the Year race.
Pack is a left-handed outfield prospect with above-average speed and strong bat-to-ball skills. There is also power in his gap-to-gap approach, evident in his five home runs and 15 doubles in 2026.
Pack Jr. went 3 for 5 Saturday against Tennessee. Texas’ patient offensive approach was neutralized during the first two games of the series by Tegan Kuhns’ dominance Friday and a Tennessee offense that scored in every inning Saturday. Still, Pack Jr. consistently worked pitchers into hitter’s counts and spoiled tough pitches.
The 2028 MLB draft could feature Pack Jr. as one of the fastest-rising names in the class.
Quotes from Josh Elander on the freshmen
“Just a complete hitter,” Tennessee assistant coach Josh Elander said about Grindlinger. “Just the way — his ability to use the whole field, and he’s getting stronger, too. But again, when you can use the whole field, you can throw up high exit velos, and you play with confidence like he does every day, it’s a very, very dangerous combination. Good to see out of a true freshman.”
“I remember seeing Pack running around playing at East Cobb and all that,” Elander said. “He’s always just been able to make a mess of the game — in a good way.”
