Tennessee Baseball Takes Crucial Series Opener At Mississippi State

Vols hold on for 6-5 victory over Bulldogs in series opener

Apr. 11, 2026 at 3:21am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the dynamic action of a college baseball game, with overlapping planes of navy, crimson, and gold conveying the intensity and energy of the contest.Tennessee's hard-fought series-opening victory at Mississippi State showcases the Vols' grit and determination on the diamond.Mississippi State Today

Tennessee baseball picked up a key series-opening win at Mississippi State on Friday night, defeating the Bulldogs 6-5 in a close game at Dudy Noble Stadium. The Vols never trailed but had to hold on for the victory.

Why it matters

This was an important early-season SEC matchup between two top teams in the conference. Tennessee's win gives them an advantage in the series and helps them maintain their position in the SEC standings.

The details

Tennessee got a strong pitching performance from starter Landon Mack, who gave the team a chance to win despite leaving a few pitches up in the later innings. Freshman reliever Cameron Appenzeller was impressive in closing out the game, showing poise to bounce back after giving up a couple runs. Offensively, the Vols had a big three-run 8th inning to take the lead, with key contributions from Blaine Schubert, Levi Clark, and others.

  • The game took place on Friday, April 10, 2026.

The players

Josh Elander

The head coach of the Tennessee baseball team.

Landon Mack

The Tennessee starting pitcher who gave the team a chance to win despite some late struggles.

Cameron Appenzeller

The Tennessee freshman relief pitcher who closed out the game with poise after giving up a couple runs.

Garrett Wright

The Tennessee junior who has settled into the leadoff spot and is taking good swings and using the whole field.

Tomas Valincius

The Mississippi State starting pitcher who Tennessee's hitters were able to have success against.

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What they’re saying

“Just a really good job by guys not trying to do too much the Blaine comes up in maybe a bunt situation, but does a good job against a big fastball guy throwing up to 102 (mph), but (Jack Baurer) leaves a breaking ball and gets us on base and we're able to do some things. Levi (Clark) doesn't crush that one by any means but gives us a good 90-foot win down the line and we're able to do some things on the bases right there. But that was a huge inning to give Appy some breathing room and just incredible poise by him down the stretch.”

— Josh Elander, Tennessee Head Coach

“I thought Chuck (Jeroloman) and our staff did a great job getting ready. Even with talking with Henry who has played with (MSU starting pitcher) Tomas (Valincius) before. Just what our approach will be? What is the pitch we're attacking in this spot? And our guys were really able to execute. Henry crushed that one to left and Levi it was a good sign too. Just a lot of guys driving the ball low and in the middle of the field and taking some high percentage swings.”

— Josh Elander, Tennessee Head Coach

“I thought Mack was good. Just left a couple pitches up there late, at the bottom half (during) the second time through the order and tip of the cap. I think they kind of flipped through the outing where they were swinging and missing through the slider early, threw some good curveballs, but they were hunting some, and a couple were out and over the plate. But he gave us a chance to win the game. That's what I told him when I went and got him. And Appy, of course, was amazing, but that'll give Mack a little bit of a breather going into next week, but he'll be right back out there again.”

— Josh Elander, Tennessee Head Coach

“I think so. It's just just amazing how there doesn't seem to be an environment that's going to make him flinch, and his ability to make adjustments — even walks a guy right there, and all a sudden, boom, hits the reset and just starts slamming strikes again. But a lot of times, a guy hooks the ball out down the right-field line — it's really not a bad pitch — (but) that can cause a mess, but his poise just to get back out there and keep attacking. It's pretty special.”

— Josh Elander, Tennessee Head Coach

“Just taking good swings, not trying to do too much, and using the whole field. He drives a ball to left-center that almost goes out tonight, and staying to the baseball a little bit more. But he's a guy that has so many winning qualities, and I think the more atbats he gets, and the more he plays in SEC, the more he's going to settle in.”

— Josh Elander, Tennessee Head Coach

What’s next

Tennessee and Mississippi State will continue their series on Saturday, with the Vols looking to clinch the series victory.

The takeaway

Tennessee's ability to grind out a tough road win against a quality SEC opponent like Mississippi State shows the team's resilience and potential to make a deep postseason run. The Vols' balanced offensive attack and strong pitching performances were key factors in the victory.