Tennessee Baseball Sweeps Mississippi State, Regains Mojo

Coach Josh Elander believes Tennessee's road sweep over a top-10 team could be a turning point for the slumping Vols.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 11:07pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist-style painting depicting a college baseball game, with the field and players broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in bright, bold colors, conveying the energy and intensity of the sport.Tennessee baseball's road sweep of a top-10 team could be the spark the Vols needed to make a late-season surge toward the NCAA tournament.Mississippi State Today

Tennessee baseball swept No. 8 Mississippi State in a three-game series, winning 6-5, 6-2, and 7-2. Coach Josh Elander believes this series victory could be a mojo-turning point for the Vols, who had entered the series on a five-game road losing streak. Tennessee used a balanced offensive attack and strong pitching performances to take down the Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field, a notoriously tough road environment for visiting teams.

Why it matters

Before the Mississippi State series, Tennessee appeared to be out of the NCAA tournament picture. But this road sweep over a top-10 team could significantly change the Vols' postseason projections. The series win also snaps Tennessee's five-game road losing streak and gives the team momentum heading into a nine-game homestand, including an important SEC series against Ole Miss.

The details

Tennessee got timely hitting, strong pitching, and a stingy bullpen that refused to give up leads late in the games. The Vols used only one starter and one reliever in each of the first two games, which gave them flexibility to finish off the sweep in Game 3. Tennessee made its swings count, recording 14 extra-base hits, including 10 doubles spread throughout the lineup. The Vols were also 7-for-12 with runners on base in the final game to put the series away.

  • Tennessee entered the series on a five-game road losing streak.
  • Tennessee hadn't pulled off an SEC series sweep since taking down South Carolina in March 2025.
  • Tennessee has dominated Mississippi State in recent years, winning 11 straight in the all-time series.
  • Tennessee hosts UNC Asheville on April 14 to start a nine-game homestand at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
  • Tennessee faces Ole Miss in an SEC series on April 17, April 18, and April 19.

The players

Josh Elander

The head coach of the Tennessee baseball team who believes the series sweep over Mississippi State could be a mojo-turning point for the Vols.

Landon Mack

The Tennessee pitcher who had a four-inning start in Game 1 of the series.

Cam Appenzeller

The Tennessee freshman pitcher who tossed five innings of strong relief in Game 1, allowing only two runs.

Tegan Kuhns

The Tennessee pitcher who had a solid six-inning start in Game 2, taking a no-hitter into the fifth inning.

Evan Blanco

The Tennessee pitcher who allowed two runs on five hits in 6⅔ innings in the series-clinching Game 3.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's massive. It needs to be a mojo turning point for our guys, knowing that wherever we play in this league, we got a chance to be in the game.”

— Josh Elander, Head Coach

“The theme has been that the door swings both ways, so just be ready for this thing to turn. We have a long, long way to go, but this is a massive weekend for our club.”

— Josh Elander, Head Coach

“It started with (Appenzeller) on Friday, Mack and Appy. If we can just go with two (pitchers in Game 1), we can mix and match (later in the series).”

— Josh Elander, Head Coach

“They're just letting it happen instead of trying too hard. I think that was the issue (earlier in the season). It wasn't the approach or anything like that. But guys were just staying on the baseball (against Mississippi State).”

— Josh Elander, Head Coach

What’s next

Tennessee hosts UNC Asheville on April 14 to start a nine-game homestand at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. The Vols then face Ole Miss in an important SEC series on April 17, April 18, and April 19.

The takeaway

This series sweep over a top-10 team on the road could be a pivotal moment for Tennessee baseball, providing the Vols with the momentum and confidence they need to make a late-season push toward the NCAA tournament. If Tennessee can carry this momentum back to Knoxville, it could set the stage for a strong finish to the regular season and a potential deep postseason run.