Tennessee Baseball Battles No. 9 Mississippi State in Series Opener

Vols look to bounce back after tough SEC stretch against tough Bulldogs squad

Apr. 10, 2026 at 10:27pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a college baseball game, with sharp planes of orange and maroon colors representing the opposing teams' uniforms.Tennessee and Mississippi State square off in a crucial SEC baseball showdown, with both teams looking to gain ground in the conference standings.Starkville Today

Tennessee baseball (21-12, 4-8 SEC) is set to battle the ninth-ranked Mississippi State Bulldogs (26-7, 7-5 SEC) in the Friday night series opener in Starkville. The Vols enter the weekend coming off back-to-back series losses to Vanderbilt and LSU, while Mississippi State is looking to rebound after being swept at home by Georgia last weekend.

Why it matters

This series is a crucial opportunity for Tennessee to get back on track in SEC play and boost its postseason resume. The Vols have struggled with consistency, especially in their bullpen and late-game situations, and will need to find a way to win at least one game against the highly-ranked Bulldogs to keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive.

The details

Tennessee will send sophomore right-hander Landon Mack (3-2, 3.48 ERA) to the mound, while Mississippi State counters with sophomore left-hander Tomas Valincius (6-1, 1.15 ERA). Valincius has been dominant this season, averaging nearly a strikeout per inning, while Mack is coming off a strong outing last week against LSU. The Vols will need to find a way to get their bats going against the tough Bulldogs pitching staff.

  • Tennessee and Mississippi State open their three-game series on Friday, April 10, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. ET.
  • The series continues on Saturday and Sunday, with first pitches scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET and 2:00 p.m. ET, respectively.

The players

Landon Mack

Tennessee's sophomore right-handed starting pitcher who has a 3-2 record and 3.48 ERA this season.

Tomas Valincius

Mississippi State's sophomore left-handed starting pitcher who has been dominant with a 6-1 record and 1.15 ERA.

Josh Elander

Tennessee's head coach who is looking to get his team back on track after a tough stretch in SEC play.

Brian O'Connor

Mississippi State's head coach who is in his first season with the Bulldogs after a long and successful tenure at Virginia.

Cam Appenzeller

Tennessee's top relief pitcher who the Vols will need to step up in key situations.

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What they’re saying

“We must find a way to get our bats going and support our pitching staff if we want to have a chance against this tough Mississippi State team.”

— Josh Elander, Tennessee Head Coach

“Last weekend was a tough one for us, but we're eager to get back out there and prove ourselves against a quality opponent like Tennessee.”

— Brian O'Connor, Mississippi State Head Coach

What’s next

The series continues on Saturday and Sunday, with the Vols looking to bounce back and the Bulldogs aiming to regain their early-season form.

The takeaway

This weekend's series against Mississippi State represents a critical opportunity for Tennessee to get back on track in SEC play and bolster its postseason resume. The Vols will need to find a way to win at least one game against the highly-ranked Bulldogs, who are looking to rebound after a tough home series against Georgia.