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2026 Tennessee vs Arizona State

Tennessee Baseball Bounces Back, Hangs On vs. Arizona State

Tennessee Baseball Bounces Back, Hangs On vs. Arizona State

No. 20 Tennessee scored four in the second and held off Arizona State 5-3 as Landon Mack and the bullpen closed out the win.

Feb 28, 2026 by Joe Harrington
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No. 20 Tennessee Baseball used a four-run second inning and steady pitching to defeat Arizona State 5-3 on Saturday at the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series Weekend 3 at Globe Life Field.

The Volunteers broke through early as Chris Newstrom delivered a two-run double in the second, and Henry Ford and Blaine Brown followed with RBI singles to build a 4-0 lead. Tennessee finished with nine hits and capitalized on timely swings to seize control.

Arizona State chipped away with two runs in the fourth and added another in the seventh without a hit, cutting the deficit to 4-3. The Sun Devils threatened again late, but Tennessee’s bullpen held firm.

Starter Landon Mack allowed two runs over five innings, and Brady Frederick and Cam Appenzeller combined to close it out. Appenzeller tossed the final two innings, allowing one hit and striking out three to earn the save.

Levi Clark added a sacrifice fly in the ninth for insurance as Tennessee secured the win.

Relive the game below. 

Bottom of 9th | Arizona State Baseball Batting

Tennessee 5, Arizona State 3

Cam Appenzeller closed it out in the ninth, retiring Arizona State in order. Beckett Zavorek struck out swinging, Landon Hairston grounded out to short and PJ Moutzouridis flied out to right as Tennessee secured the 5-3 victory.

Top of 9th | Tennessee Baseball Batting

Tennessee 5, Arizona State 3

Tennessee added an insurance run in the ninth. Blaine Brown doubled and moved to third on a passed ball before Levi Clark lifted a sacrifice fly to right, bringing Brown home. The Volunteers extended their lead to 5-3 heading to the bottom of the inning.

Bottom of 8th | Arizona State Baseball Batting

Tennessee 4, Arizona State 3

Cam Appenzeller worked out of a jam in the eighth after a walk and an infield single put two aboard. He struck out Dominic Smaldino and got Austen Roellig to fly out to center, preserving Tennessee’s slim 4-3 lead.

Top of 8th | Tennessee Baseball Batting

Tennessee 4, Arizona State 3

Tennessee put two aboard in the eighth after walks to Stone Lawless and Jay Abernathy, but Arizona State’s bullpen held firm. Sean Fitzpatrick induced a groundout from Henry Ford to strand both runners and keep the Sun Devils within a run at 4-3.

Bottom of 7th | Arizona State Baseball Batting

Tennessee 4, Arizona State 3

Arizona State scratched across a run in the seventh without a hit. Landon Hairston walked, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error before scoring on PJ Moutzouridis’ sacrifice fly to center, trimming Tennessee’s lead to 4-3.

Top of 7th | Tennessee Baseball Batting

Tennessee 4, Arizona State 2

Tennessee threatened in the seventh after Levi Clark doubled and Reese Chapman drew a walk, putting two aboard with two outs. But Alex Overbay induced a flyout to right from Tyler Myatt to escape the jam and keep Arizona State within two runs.

Bottom of 6th | Arizona State Baseball Batting

Tennessee 4, Arizona State 2

Tennessee turned to Brady Frederick in the sixth, and he worked out of trouble after a leadoff single by Dean Toigo. Frederick struck out Dominic Smaldino and got Roellig to ground out, with Toigo erased on the bases, to keep Arizona State off the board and preserve the 4-2 lead.

Top of 6th | Tennessee Baseball Batting

Tennessee 4, Arizona State 2

Alex Overbay worked around a two-out single in the sixth to keep Tennessee off the board. Manny Marin singled to first, but Jay Abernathy struck out swinging to end the inning as Arizona State trailed 4-2.

Bottom of 5th | Arizona State Baseball Batting

Tennessee 4, Arizona State 2

Landon Mack answered with a clean fifth inning, retiring Arizona State in order. Nu’u Contrades grounded out, Garrett Michel flied out to left and Dominic Longo grounded out to short as Tennessee maintained its 4-2 lead.

Top of 5th | Tennessee Baseball Batting

Tennessee 4, Arizona State 2

Arizona State reliever Alex Overbay provided a quick shutdown inning in the fifth, retiring Tennessee in order. Levi Clark fouled out, and both Reese Chapman and Tyler Myatt struck out looking to keep the score at 4-2.

Bottom of 4th | Arizona State Baseball Batting

Tennessee 4, Arizona State 2

Arizona State cut into the deficit with a two-run fourth. Dominic Longo doubled and scored on Dean Toigo’s RBI double to right-center. Austen Roellig followed with an RBI single to right, trimming Tennessee’s lead to 4-2 before Landon Mack escaped further trouble.

Top of 4th | Tennessee Baseball Batting

Tennessee 4, Arizona State 0

Tennessee picked up a two-out single from Henry Ford in the fourth but couldn’t add on. Manny Marin flied out to right, Jay Abernathy grounded out and Blaine Brown bounced back to the pitcher to end the inning with the Volunteers still leading 4-0.

Bottom of 3rd | Arizona State Baseball Batting

Tennessee 4, Arizona State 0

Arizona State threatened in the third with two hits, as Brody Briggs singled and Landon Hairston doubled to put runners at second and third. Landon Mack escaped the jam with back-to-back strikeouts of PJ Moutzouridis and Nu’u Contrades to keep Tennessee ahead 4-0.

Top of 3rd | Tennessee Baseball Batting

Tennessee 4, Arizona State 0

Colin Linder bounced back with a quick third inning, striking out Tyler Myatt and Chris Newstrom before Stone Lawless flied out to short. Tennessee went down in order as Arizona State kept the deficit at 4-0.

Bottom of 2nd | Arizona State Baseball Batting

Tennessee 4, Arizona State 0

Landon Mack responded with a dominant bottom half of the inning, striking out two as Arizona State went down in order. Dominic Longo and Dominic Smaldino both went down swinging, and Dean Toigo grounded out to second to end the frame.

Top of 2nd | Tennessee Baseball Batting

Tennessee 4, Arizona State 0

Tennessee erupted for four runs in the second to seize control. Chris Newstrom delivered a two-run double to left-center, and the Volunteers added RBI singles from Henry Ford and Blaine Brown. UT strung together five hits in the inning to take a 4-0 lead.

Bottom of 1st | Arizona State Baseball Batting

Tennessee 0, Arizona State 0

Arizona State put two on in the first, but Landon Mack worked out of trouble. Landon Hairston and Nu’u Contrades each singled, yet Mack induced a 5-4-3 double play off the bat of Garrett Michel to erase the threat and keep the game scoreless.

Top of 1st | Tennessee Baseball Batting

Tennessee 0, Arizona State 0

Colin Linder worked around a two-out walk in the first to keep Tennessee off the board. Jay Abernathy grounded out to short, Henry Ford flied out to center and Levi Clark lifted a fly ball to left after Blaine Brown drew a walk, stranding one runner.

Tennessee Baseball, ASU: First Pitch 10 Minutes Away

It's almost time to play ball in Arlington. 

Challenging Stretch For ASU Baseball Continues

Arizona State is in the middle of five straight games against ranked teams. They are so far 1-2 with a win over Oklahoma earlier this week. 

Rutgers Baseball Transfer On The Mound For UT Baseball

Landon Mack comes to Tennessee after starring for Rutgers in the Big Ten. He has 20 Ks in two starts this season. 

UT Baseball Top Prospects

Here are the top prospects for the Vols.

Tegan Kuhns, RHP, Tennessee Baseball

Tegan Kuhns, a 6-foot-3 right-hander at Tennessee, brings premium stuff and projection. After reaching the weekend rotation as a freshman in 2025, he posted a 5.40 ERA with a 23.7% strikeout rate. Kuhns rebounded in the Cape Cod League with a 20-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His fastball averages 94 mph and touches 98, complemented by a high-spin curveball and deep secondary mix.

 Henry Ford, 3B/OF, Tennessee Baseball

Henry Ford transferred to Tennessee after two productive seasons at Virginia, where he hit .348/.414/.587 with 28 home runs. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound slugger offers a big-league frame, strength and pull-side power, though his swing can get stiff at times. Ford has experience at first base and in the outfield, profiling best as a corner bat at the next level.

Bo Rhudy, RHP, Tennessee Baseball

Bo Rhudy, a 6-foot-4 right-hander, transferred to Tennessee after two seasons at Kennesaw State, where he posted a 3.22 ERA in 72 2/3 innings. He features a unique 90 mph fastball with elite spin rates above 2,700 rpm and a flat approach angle that generates swings and misses. Rhudy primarily pairs it with an upper-70s breaking ball.

Levi Clark, C, Tennessee Baseball 

Levi Clark, a 6-foot-2 catcher at Tennessee, emerged as one of the SEC’s top young backstops after hitting .289/.459/.594 with 10 home runs. He followed with a strong Cape Cod League showing, batting .333/.420/.547. Clark combines plus bat speed and pull-side power with solid contact skills and a strong arm, profiling as Tennessee’s catcher of the future.

Blaine Brown, OF/LHP, Tennessee Baseball

Blaine Brown transferred to Tennessee after a strong freshman season at Rice in which he hit .292/.362/.493 with 10 home runs. The 6-foot-4 left-handed hitter offers significant power upside and strength with projection remaining. Though he can chase spin at times, Brown flashes all-fields pop and profiles best as a corner outfielder with above-average arm strength.

Jay Abernathy, OF/2B, Tennessee Baseball

Jay Abernathy made an immediate impact at Tennessee with his speed and contact ability. The 5-foot-10 left-handed hitter owns plus bat-to-ball skills, highlighted by a 93% in-zone contact rate, and profiles as a hit-over-power threat who pressures defenses. A 70-grade runner, Abernathy saw time in the outfield and at second base and is expected to move to center field in 2026.

Landon Mack, RHP, Tennessee Baseball

Landon Mack transferred to Tennessee after a strong freshman season at Rutgers, where he posted a 4.03 ERA with 70 strikeouts in 80 1/3 innings. The 6-foot-2 right-hander is expected to join the Volunteers’ weekend rotation. He features a low-90s fastball, a swing-and-miss upper-80s cutter, plus a curveball and changeup to round out his mix.

Trent Grindlinger, C, Tennessee Baseball

Trent Grindlinger arrived at Tennessee as one of the top prep players to reach campus. The 6-foot-3 catcher pairs a plus arm with advanced catch-and-throw skills, giving him a strong chance to remain behind the plate. Offensively, he shows above-average raw power, quality contact and an all-fields approach with a feel for the strike zone.

Evan Hankins, 1B/ LHP, Tennessee Baseball

Evan Hankins brings some of the best raw power in Tennessee’s class. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound left-handed hitter pairs natural strength with present bat speed and projects for plus, potentially all-fields power. Swing-and-miss is part of his profile, and he fits best at first base defensively, where he provides steady play.

Arizona State Baseball Top Prospects

Here are the top prospects for ASU.

Cole Carlon, LHP, Arizona State Baseball

Cole Carlon, a 6-foot-5 left-hander at Arizona State, made a major leap in 2025, lowering his ERA to 3.33 while posting a 38.7% strikeout rate. Working primarily as a reliever, he attacks with a 94-98 mph fastball and a hard mid-80s slider that generated a 56% miss rate. Improving his command will be key to expanding his role.

P.J. Moutzouridis, SS, Arizona State Baseball

P.J. Moutzouridis, a 6-foot shortstop, transferred to Arizona State after two seasons at California, where he hit .284/.360/.413. He offers limited offensive impact but makes consistent contact, particularly against fastballs. His value lies in his defense, projecting as a plus shortstop with smooth actions and a strong arm who can anchor the position.

Landon Hairston, OF/1B, Arizona State Baseball

One of the the top prospects in the 2027 MLB Draft, Landon Hairston, the son of former big leaguer Scott Hairston, turned in a standout freshman season at Arizona State, hitting .333/.441/.467 with 17 extra-base hits and 37 RBIs. A polished left-handed hitter, he combines advanced barrel control with disciplined swing decisions and emerging pull-side power. Hairston projects as a corner outfielder with upside for more game power.

Easton Barrett, LHP, Arizona State Baseball 

Easton Barrett, a 5-foot-11 left-hander at Arizona State, followed a solid spring with a productive Cape Cod League stint, posting a 4.57 ERA with 25 strikeouts in 21 2/3 innings. He works from a high three-quarters slot with a low-90s fastball that plays up due to extension and carry. His slider is his best secondary, flashing two-plane break, and he shows average command.

Tennessee Baseball vs. ASU All-Time

Tennessee hasn’t had much success historically against Arizona State. The Vols are 4-14 all-time against the Sun Devils, including an 0-5 mark at neutral sites — the setting for today’s matchup at Globe Life Field. Tennessee is 2-5 in Knoxville and 2-4 in Tempe in the series. 

The last meeting between the programs came March 9, 2014, when the Vols picked up a 6-4 win in Tempe. Saturday’s game gives Tennessee a chance to earn its first neutral-site win in the series.

Tennessee Lineup vs. Arizona State

  1. Jay Abernathy, CF (.355) – L
  2. Henry Ford, 3B (.316) – R
  3. Blaine Brown, LF (.297) – L
  4. Levi Clark, 1B (.152) – R
  5. Reese Chapman, RF (.273) – L
  6. Tyler Myatt, DH (.350) – L
  7. Chris Newstrom, 2B (.273) – R
  8. Stone Lawless, C (.364) – R
  9. Manny Marin, SS (.200) – R

P: Landon Mack

Arizona State Lineup vs. Tennessee

  1. Landon Hairston, IF (.395) – L
  2. PJ Moutzouridis, SS (.429) – R
  3. Nu’u Contrades, 2B (.351) – R
  4. Garrett Michel, DH (.435) – L
  5. Dominic Longo, CF (.320) – R
  6. Dean Toigo, RF (.229) – L
  7. Dominic Smaldino, 1B (.342) – R
  8. Austen Roellig, 3B (.321) – R
  9. Brody Briggs, C (.438) – L

P: Colin Linder

Projected Starters – Tennessee vs. Arizona State

Tennessee: RHP Landon Mack (2 GS, 1-1, 1.42 ERA)

Tennessee turns to right-hander Landon Mack, who has looked sharp through two starts with a 1.42 ERA. The Rutgers transfer posted a 4.03 ERA with 70 strikeouts in 80 1/3 innings as a freshman and has quickly settled into a weekend role for the Vols. The 6-foot-2 righty works in the low 90s with his fastball and mixes in a swing-and-miss upper-80s cutter, along with a curveball and changeup to round out his arsenal.

Arizona State: RHP Colin Linder (2 GS, 0-0, 2.08 ERA)

Arizona State counters with junior right-hander Colin Linder, who owns a 2.08 ERA in two starts. Linder redshirted last season while recovering from arm surgery. Prior to ASU, he pitched at Northwest Florida State College, where he made 16 appearances and struck out 50 in 35.2 innings in 2024. He originally committed to Texas A&M out of high school.

Tennessee vs. Arizona State Baseball Today: First Pitch Time

Tennessee and Arizona is set for noon ET today. 

How To Watch Tennessee vs. Arizona State Baseball At Globe Life Field 

Every game of the three-week College Baseball Series, which includes the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series starting Feb. 27, is streaming on FloCollege, FloBaseball and the FloSports app.

College Baseball Series At Globe Life Field Schedule 2026

Amegy Bank College Baseball Series Weekend 3

Feb. 27, 2026

Feb. 28, 2026

Mar. 1, 2026

Shriners Children's College Showdown

Feb. 13, 2026

Feb. 14, 2026

Feb. 15, 2026

Amegy Bank College Baseball Series Weekend 2

Feb. 20, 2026

Feb. 21, 2026

Feb. 22, 2026

D1 College Baseball Rankings On Feb. 23

  1. UCLA (6-1), Previous Ranking: 1
  2. LSU (8-0), Previous Ranking: 2
  3. Texas (7-0), Previous Ranking: 3
  4. Mississippi State (8-0), Previous Ranking: 4
  5. Georgia Tech (8-0), Previous Ranking: 5
  6. Arkansas (6-1), Previous Ranking: 8
  7. Auburn (6-1), Previous Ranking: 9
  8. North Carolina (6-1-1), Previous Ranking: 10
  9. Coastal Carolina (5-2), Previous Ranking: 6
  10. Florida (7-1), Previous Ranking: 12
  11. Georgia (6-1), Previous Ranking: 14
  12. Southern Miss (6-1), Previous Ranking: 20
  13. Oklahoma (7-0), Previous Ranking: 21
  14. NC State (5-1), Previous Ranking: 17
  15. Clemson (7-0), Previous Ranking: 19
  16. Wake Forest (6-1), Previous Ranking: 22
  17. Miami (9-0), Previous Ranking: 23
  18. TCU (2-5), Previous Ranking: 7
  19. Oregon State (4-3), Previous Ranking: 11
  20. Tennessee (5-2), Previous Ranking: 13
  21. Florida State (4-2), Previous Ranking: 16
  22. Kentucky (5-2), Previous Ranking: 18
  23. Texas A&M (7-0), Previous Ranking: 24
  24. West Virginia (5-1), Previous Ranking: 25
  25. Ole Miss (8-0), Previous Ranking: NR

Baseball America College Baseball Rankings On Feb. 23 

  1. UCLA (6-1), Previous Ranking: 1
  2. LSU (8-0), Previous Ranking: 2
  3. Mississippi State (8-0), Previous Ranking: 3
  4. Georgia Tech (7-0), Previous Ranking: 4
  5. Auburn (6-1), Previous Ranking: 5
  6. Texas (7-0), Previous Ranking: 7
  7. North Carolina (6-1-1), Previous Ranking: 6
  8. Georgia (6-1), Previous Ranking: 9
  9. Arkansas (6-1), Previous Ranking: 10
  10. Oklahoma (7-0), Previous Ranking: 15
  11. Ole Miss (8-0), Previous Ranking: 16
  12. Virginia (6-1), Previous Ranking: 14
  13. TCU (2-5), Previous Ranking: 8
  14. Clemson (7-0), Previous Ranking: 18
  15. NC State (5-1), Previous Ranking: 19
  16. Coastal Carolina (5-2), Previous Ranking: 11
  17. Florida State (4-2), Previous Ranking: 12
  18. Southern Miss (6-1), Previous Ranking: 21
  19. Tennessee (5-2), Previous Ranking: 13
  20. West Virginia (5-1), Previous Ranking: 20
  21. Texas A&M (7-0), Previous Ranking: 22
  22. Miami (9-0), Previous Ranking: 23
  23. Florida (7-1), Previous Ranking: 24
  24. Oregon State (4-3), Previous Ranking: 17
  25. Vanderbilt (6-2), Previous Ranking: NR

Teams At Globe Life Field College Baseball Series

  • Oklahoma
  • Texas Tech
  • TCU
  • Vanderbilt
  • Oklahoma State
  • Arkansas
  • Michigan
  • Florida State
  • Nebraska
  • Louisville
  • Auburn
  • Kansas State
  • Arizona State
  • Mississippi State
  • UCLA
  • Tennessee
  • Virginia Tech
  • Texas A&M

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