Tennessee Baseball Suffers Walk-Off Loss to Vanderbilt in 16 Innings to Lose Series

The Vols' pitching staff was stellar, but Vanderbilt's walk-off squeeze play in the 16th inning clinched the series for the Commodores.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 11:04pm

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No. 21 Tennessee baseball (18-9, 3-5 SEC) suffered another walk-off loss, falling 6-5 to Vanderbilt (16-12, 3-5 SEC) in 16 innings on Saturday. The Vols' pitching staff was tremendous, not walking a batter for the first 15.1 innings, but Vanderbilt's Mack Whitcomb executed a perfect squeeze play with the bases loaded in the 16th to win the game and clinch the series.

Why it matters

This was the longest game in Tennessee baseball program history, surpassing five previous 14-inning contests. The Vols' offense struggled for much of the game before a five-run sixth inning tied it up, but they were unable to capitalize on several late-inning scoring opportunities. The loss drops Tennessee to 3-5 in SEC play, making Sunday's series finale a crucial game as the Vols look to salvage the series.

The details

Tennessee starting pitcher Landon Mack was solid through three innings but ran into trouble in the fourth, allowing five runs. Freshman lefty Cam Appenzeller then came in and delivered 6 scoreless innings of relief, but the Vols' offense couldn't break through despite multiple chances in extra innings. Vanderbilt's Mack Whitcomb executed a perfect squeeze play with the bases loaded in the 16th to win the game.

  • Tennessee and Vanderbilt played a 16-inning game on March 28, 2026.
  • The game was the longest in Tennessee baseball program history, surpassing five previous 14-inning contests.

The players

Landon Mack

Tennessee's starting pitcher, who allowed 5 runs in 4 innings of work.

Cam Appenzeller

A freshman left-handed pitcher for Tennessee who delivered 6 scoreless innings of relief.

Mack Whitcomb

Vanderbilt's player who executed the game-winning squeeze play in the 16th inning.

Wyatt Nadeau

Vanderbilt's freshman starting pitcher who held Tennessee hitless through the first 5 innings.

Henry Ford

Tennessee's player who hit a 3-run home run in the 6th inning to tie the game.

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What’s next

Tennessee will look to salvage the series in the finale on Sunday at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

The takeaway

This marathon game highlighted Tennessee's resilience in battling back from a 5-0 deficit, but also their inability to capitalize on late-inning scoring chances. The Vols' pitching staff delivered an impressive performance, but ultimately Vanderbilt's walk-off squeeze play in the 16th inning proved to be the difference.