Tennessee Baseball Sweeps Nicholls State in Weekend Series

New head coach Josh Elander details the Vols' dominant performance in the 3-game set.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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In his first series as Tennessee's new head baseball coach, Josh Elander led the Vols to a convincing sweep of Nicholls State over the weekend. The team won the opener 10-0 on Friday, then took both games of a Saturday doubleheader by scores of 5-1 and 12-2 to complete the series victory.

Why it matters

Elander, who spent nearly a decade as an assistant under former head coach Tony Vitello, is embarking on his first season leading the Tennessee program. The sweep of Nicholls State is an encouraging start as Elander looks to build on the Vols' recent success and continue the program's upward trajectory.

The details

In the series opener, Tennessee's Cam Appenzeller turned in a strong outing on the mound, showcasing improved velocity that has Elander excited about the young pitcher's potential. In the doubleheader, standout sophomore Blaine Brown continued his hot start to the season, with Elander praising the gifted hitter's ability to stay relaxed and make an impact.

  • The series began on Friday, February 14, 2026.
  • Games 2 and 3 were played on Saturday, February 15, 2026 due to incoming weather.

The players

Josh Elander

The new head coach of the Tennessee baseball program, taking over after spending nearly a decade as an assistant under former head coach Tony Vitello.

Cam Appenzeller

A Tennessee pitcher who impressed Elander with his increased velocity and ability to attack the strike zone in the series opener.

Blaine Brown

A standout sophomore hitter for the Vols who continued his strong start to the season, showcasing his relaxed approach and natural talent at the plate.

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What they’re saying

“Yeah, the velo continues to tick up a little bit. I remember when we were chasing him around the recruiting trail all over the country, he'd grab 93 mph, 94 mph every now and then. He's a really good athlete. It's just easy. He really attacked the strike zone today, and there's no doubt more velo coming.”

— Josh Elander, Head Coach (si.com)

“No, not at all. Special player. I think he's just been getting better each and every day. It's funny, I was jogging by, off the field, at the end of the game, and the umpire was like, 'Well, at least he finally got out!' And he hit one right to the track right there. But, (it was) pretty cool to see him having fun and playing loose. He's just a slow heart rate, very gifted. We're expecting special things from Blaine all year long.”

— Josh Elander, Head Coach (si.com)

What’s next

The Vols will look to build on their strong start when they host Appalachian State for a 3-game series next weekend.

The takeaway

Elander's first series as Tennessee's new head coach was a resounding success, with the Vols showcasing impressive depth and talent across the roster. As the program transitions to a new era, this sweep of Nicholls State suggests the Vols will remain a force to be reckoned with in college baseball.