Tennessee Baseball Announces Weekend Starters

Vols head coach Josh Elander reveals pitching rotation for opening series against Nicholls State

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Tennessee Volunteers baseball team has announced its starting pitching rotation for the first weekend of the 2026 season. Head coach Josh Elander revealed that Tegan Kuhns will start on Friday, Landon Mack on Saturday, and Evan Blanco on Sunday against Nicholls State.

Why it matters

The Volunteers are looking to build on a strong 2025 season and get off to a fast start in 2026. The pitching rotation is a key part of that, and Elander expressed confidence in his three weekend starters to set the tone early in the year.

The details

Elander said Kuhns has made significant strides since his freshman season, dominating over the summer in the Cape Cod League. Mack is described as having "gross" stuff with a great fastball and two breaking balls, while Blanco brings maturity and had the best fall of any pitcher on the staff.

  • The 2026 college baseball season will begin in the coming weeks.

The players

Josh Elander

The head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers baseball team.

Tegan Kuhns

Tennessee's Friday night starting pitcher, who dominated over the summer in the Cape Cod League.

Landon Mack

Tennessee's Saturday starting pitcher, described as having "gross" stuff with a great fastball and two breaking balls.

Evan Blanco

Tennessee's Sunday starting pitcher, who brought maturity to the staff and had the best fall of any pitcher.

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What they’re saying

“We'll roll with Tegan Kuhns on Friday. We'll go Landon Mack on Saturday, and then Evan Blanco on Sunday. Think that puts us in the best position to have success out of the gate.”

— Josh Elander, Head Coach (si.com)

“Good question. Again, I think he's just made a jump. We talk about the position players from that freshman to sophomore year. Like the theme when I was talking with Tegan and even his dad over the course of the summer, nobody was happy with how the season ended, right? Because he throws in Hoover, and that was kind of it, right? So I think that's kind of springboarded him into the summer. He goes to the Cape and dominates, for lack of a better term.”

— Josh Elander, Head Coach (si.com)

“Well, for Vol fans, Landon, I think again, when I think of him there's some Chase Dollander in there, right? Just some similarities in the delivery, but the compete factor is about as good as it gets. And the stuff is, it's just gross to be honest. It's really good stuff.”

— Josh Elander, Head Coach (si.com)

What’s next

The Volunteers will open their season against Nicholls State on February 14, 2026.

The takeaway

Tennessee's pitching rotation appears to be in good hands with Kuhns, Mack, and Blanco leading the way. If they can build on their strong fall and summer performances, the Volunteers could be poised for a successful start to the 2026 season.