The Tennessee Volunteers have ushered in a new era with head coach Josh Elander, going 12-3 through the first quarter of the regular season. It’s a new year and a fresh identity for the Vols. Leaning on strong pitching performances, Tennessee has grinded out close games while the offense continues to search for more potency in the lineup.
The latest series win over Wright State emphasizes the importance of a consistent starting rotation, even when the headlining prospects have not showcased their best stuff. The Vols have outscored the Raiders 9-7 through two one-run games. In each, the starting pitchers have set the tone, paving the way for timely hits and lockdown bullpen efforts
Tennessee’s Friday Starter
Tegan Kuhns was credited with a no-decision in Friday night’s walk-off victory against Wright State. The sophomore right-hander is 1-1 this season with a 3.49 ERA.
It has been an impressive campaign so far in Kuhns’ second year. He has struck out 36 batters across 28 1/3 innings while issuing just four walks. The right-hander recorded 10 strikeouts against UCLA last weekend in the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series. Although Kuhns allowed four earned runs and a pair of home runs in that outing, his command stood out across an expanded pitch mix. The shape of his fastball, along with a tight slider and effective changeup, has been a bright spot during the 2026 season.
On Friday, Kuhns did not have the same life on his fastball that flashed through the first three weekends. Still, the sophomore worked through the Wright State lineup, allowing three earned runs on eight hits. Kuhns struck out seven Raiders and did not issue a walk, throwing 60 strikes on 78 pitches.
Vols’ Saturday Comfort Zone
Landon Mack has been a welcome addition to the Vols’ pitching staff. A transfer from Rutgers, Mack arrived at Tennessee with traits that could propel him into the next wave of talented transfers to blossom in Knoxville.
Mack entered the weekend against Wright State with a 34.1% strikeout rate and holding batters to a .224 average. On Saturday, the right-hander threw a season-high 97 pitches while navigating the Raiders’ balanced lineup. Much like Kuhns the previous night, Mack experienced wavering command, particularly with his secondary pitches. Missing arm-side against left-handed hitters was notable. Mack opened the game by walking the leadoff batter after getting ahead 0-2. The two earned runs he allowed in the first inning, however, were the only damage against him.
After five innings of work, the box score showed a career high in walks. Still, the right-hander showed a concerted effort to regain feel for his off-speed pitches. Mack’s final four whiffs came on secondary offerings, including the last on a curveball. His slider also generated swings and misses, while the cutter was less effective than in previous Saturday outings. Mack’s fastball velocity sat between 95-97 mph.
Tennessee’s Most Experienced
Evan Blanco is another transfer pitcher playing an important role for the Vols. The senior left-hander is one of the most seasoned arms in the country, carrying 176.1 innings of experience into Sunday’s matchup with Wright State. Blanco made 56 appearances with Virginia, including recording a one-out hold against Florida in the 2023 College World Series.
In 2026, Blanco is doing more than supporting Tennessee’s pitching staff. Entering Sunday’s scheduled start, the left-hander leads the Vols with a 37.1% strikeout rate and a 1.88 ERA.
Aside from Brandon Arvidson, whom the Volunteers used in relief Friday night, the most experienced returning option out of the bullpen is sophomore Brayden Krenzel. With his second save of the season, Krenzel now has 18 strikeouts in 10 innings. The right-hander recorded the final six outs for the Vols and shut down any threat from the Raiders, striking out four Saturday.
Quotes from Elander on Mack
“It was good,” Elander said after the Tennessee victory on Saturday night. “I thought the stuff, I mean, obviously never to like to walk the lead-off guy to start the game, right? But again, I think with the wind, it was just the fastball taking off, like even on throwing (batting practice) today, it was kind of taking off just because of that cross-wind. (Mack) could land the curve or the change a little bit better at times, but he’s always going to compete and give you a chance, and then the stuff is so good, he’s going to get some swing and miss, whereas the pitch count is going to get up. But credit to Wright State.”
Elander on Kuhns
“I thought it was fine,” said Elander after Friday’s walk-off. “He just looked like he was wavering. A little bit more. Credit to Wright State. I mean, they were taking some comfortable swings. It was the first time I’ve kind of been on my heels a little bit watching him throw, but again – it’s one thing if you’re walking guys or hitting guys. But (Kuhns is) attacking the strike zone, he’s always going to compete, so we always have a chance when he is out on the mound. I thought with some of those comfortable swings and velo kind of fluctuating a little bit, I just thought it was time to go to (Arvidson) right there”
