Tennessee Drops Another Heartbreaker to LSU

Volunteers blow 5-0 lead, lose in extra innings

Apr. 5, 2026 at 9:33pm

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The Tennessee Volunteers baseball team blew another big lead, this time against SEC rival LSU, losing 16-6 in 12 innings. Tennessee jumped out to a 5-0 lead early, powered by a grand slam from Blaine Brown, but LSU slowly chipped away at the deficit, eventually tying the game in the 9th inning. The game went to extra innings, where LSU exploded for 10 runs in the 12th to take the series 2-1 and drop Tennessee to 20-12 on the season and 4-8 in SEC play.

Why it matters

This is the latest in a string of tough losses for Tennessee, who have struggled to close out games all season. The Volunteers have now blown leads in several key conference matchups, putting their NCAA Tournament hopes in jeopardy as they sit near the bottom of the SEC standings.

The details

Tennessee starter Evan Blanco pitched well, going 6.2 innings and giving up just two earned runs. But the Volunteer bullpen faltered, with Brandon Arvidson surrendering the tying run in the 9th. In extra innings, LSU's Cade Arrambide hit a grand slam in the 12th to blow the game open. Tennessee had chances to win it, including a deep flyout in the 11th, but ultimately came up short.

  • Tennessee jumped out to a 5-0 lead early in the game.
  • LSU hit three solo home runs in the 7th inning to pull within one run at 5-4.
  • The game went to extra innings tied at 5-5.
  • LSU scored 10 runs in the 12th inning to win 16-6.
  • The loss drops Tennessee to 20-12 on the season and 4-8 in SEC play.

The players

Blaine Brown

Tennessee outfielder who hit a grand slam to give the Volunteers an early 5-0 lead.

Cade Arrambide

LSU designated hitter who hit four home runs, including a grand slam in the 12th inning to blow the game open.

Evan Blanco

Tennessee starting pitcher who went 6.2 innings and gave up just two earned runs.

Brandon Arvidson

Tennessee relief pitcher who surrendered the tying run in the 9th inning.

Levi Clark

Tennessee hitter who hit a deep sacrifice fly in the 11th inning to tie the game.

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What they’re saying

“We've got to find a way to close these games out. It's been the story of our season so far.”

— Josh Elander, Tennessee Head Coach

What’s next

Tennessee will look to bounce back on Tuesday night when they host Northern Kentucky before traveling to face #4 Mississippi State next weekend.

The takeaway

Tennessee's inability to hold late leads has put their NCAA Tournament hopes in serious jeopardy, as they now sit near the bottom of the SEC standings. The Volunteers' bullpen issues continue to haunt them in high-leverage situations, an area they'll need to shore up if they want to turn their season around.