BSB PREVIEW: Vols Open Series with #13 Alabama Thursday Night

April 22, 2026 | Baseball

Watch (ESPN2/SECN+)Listen (Vol Network)Live Stats UT Game Notes Gameday Info

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee is gearing up to face its third straight ranked opponent in Southeastern Conference play as the Volunteers host No. 13 Alabama for a three-game set that will begin on Thursday night at 7 p.m. at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

MORE INFO

Game & Broadcast Info

Opponent: Alabama Crimson Tide
Dates: April 23-25
Location: Knoxville, Tenn.
Venue: Lindsey Nelson Stadium (8,012)
Watch: ESPN2/SECN+
Listen: Vol Network/UT Athletics App
Live Stats: UTStats.com
Game 1: Thursday, April 23 – 7 p.m. (ESPN2)
Game 2: Friday, April 24 – 6:30 p.m. (SECN+)
Game 3: Saturday, April 25 – 1 p.m. (SECN+)

Tennessee (27-14 | 8-10 SEC)

Roster Schedule Stats

#13 Alabama (28-14 | 9-9 SEC)

Roster Schedule Stats UT Record Book Gameday Central Follow @UTGameday Tennessee Athletics App Buy Tennessee Gear

This week's series will mark the first time the two rivals have met in Knoxville since 2022 after playing in Tuscaloosa in each of the past two seasons. The Vols and Tide also squared off in last year's SEC Tournament, with UT coming out on top, 15-10.

GAMEDAY INFO

Fans are encouraged to check the Tennessee Baseball Gameday Central page prior to each game for the most updated info in regards to parking, stadium policies, stadium entry points and more.

PROMOTIONS & GIVEAWAYS

All upcoming promotions for all home games during the season can be found HERE.

Fans are encouraged to wear orange for Friday's game as Tennessee will hold an Orange Out at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

BROADCAST INFO

Thursday's series opener will be televised on ESPN2 with Dave Neal (PxP) and VFL Chris Burke (analyst) calling the action.

Cruz Martin (PxP) and VFL Cody Hawn (analyst) will have the call on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app for games two and three of the series.

Fans can also listen to the Voice of Tennessee Baseball John Wilkerson call the action on the Vol Network (FM 991./AM 990), UTSports.com, the Tennessee Athletics App and the Varsity App. Wilkerson will be joined in the booth by Mike Keith on Thursday, VFL Redmond Walsh on Friday and VFL Will Heflin on Saturday.

PROJECTED STARTING PITCHERS

Game 1 – Thursday (7 pm on ESPN2):
UT: RHP Landon Mack (10 GS, 3-3, 4.39 ERA)
UA: RHP Tyler Fay (10 GS, 6-3, 4.50 ERA)

Game 2 – Friday (6:30 pm on SEC Network+):
UT: RHP Tegan Kuhns (9 GS, 2-3, 3.35 ERA)
UA: LHP Zane Adams (10 GS, 4-2, 3.67 ERA)

Game 3 – Saturday (1 pm on SEC Network+):
UT: LHP Evan Blanco (10 GS, 4-2, 3.76 ERA)
UA: RHP Myles Upchurch (10 GS, 5-2, 3.05 ERA)

SERIES HISTORY

Vols vs. Crimson Tide
Overall: Alabama leads, 81-48
in Knoxville: Alabama leads, 26-24
in Tuscaloosa: Alabama leads, 49-21
at Neutral Sites: Alabama leads, 6-3
Last 10 Meetings: Tennessee leads, 6-4
Last Meeting: May 21, 2025 (W, 15-10 in Hoover, Ala.)

The Vols won three of the four meetings between the two teams last season, winning two of three games in Tuscaloosa and opening their SEC Tournament run with a 15-10 victory in Hoover.

NOTABLE

Home Run Derby
Tennessee has displayed its immense power potential with 10 home runs over its last two games, hitting a season-high six in the series finale against No. 22/25 Ole Miss last Sunday before blasting four more in Tuesday's midweek win over Lipscomb.

The Vols relied heavily on the long ball last weekend against the Rebels, hitting nine in the series. Of their 18 runs scored in the series, 17 came via homers, including all 13 runs in Sunday's 13-5 victory.

UT's six dingers on Sunday marked its most in an SEC game since also hitting six in a 10-1 victory versus Missouri on April 25, 2024. For the year, the Vols' 70 home runs rank 17^th nationally and fourth in the SEC.

Kuhns on a Heater
Sophomore right-hander Tegan Kuhns has really found his groove in recent weeks and is coming off arguably his best start of the season last Saturday against Ole Miss. The Pennsylvania native tied a career high with 10 strikeouts and allowed just one walk in 5.2 scoreless innings. Over his three starts, Kuhns has given up just three runs and has 18 strikeouts in 15.2 innings.

Stone's Return
Redshirt-sophomore catcher Stone Lawless made his return to the starting lineup in last Sunday's win over Ole Miss after missing two weeks with a nose and facial fracture after getting hit in the face with a pitch at Vanderbilt on March 29.

Lawless went 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored in his return, including a single in his first at-bat of the game that sparked a five-run third inning for the Vols. He impressed again in Tuesday's midweek win over Lipscomb, reaching base in all three plate appearances with a pair of hits, a walk, three runs scored, three RBIs and a two-run homer.

Vols Against Ranked SEC Foes
This weekend's series against No. 13 Alabama will be UT's third straight against a ranked SEC foe and fourth overall this year.

During Elander's time on staff in Knoxville, the Vols have played 49 SEC regular-season series against ranked teams and have won 28 of those series with an 82-65 overall record. Since 2021, Tennessee is 23-12 in such series with a 66-39 overall record, including 10 series wins.
Against top 10 foes during SEC conference weekends, the Big Orange have claimed 12 series victories while posting 42 total wins in the regular season since 2019.

OPPONENT SCOUT

Alabama Crimson Tide (28-14, 9-9 SEC)

2025 Record: 41-18 (16-14 SEC)
2025 Postseason: NCAA Hattiesburg Regional (0-2)
2026 SEC Preseason Poll: 12^th
Head Coach: Rob Vaughn
- Overall Record: 285-173 (9^th year)
- Record at UA: 102-56 (3^rd year)
Preseason All-Conference Selections (1):
- SS Justin LeBron (1^st Team)

After a hot start to league play, Alabama enters this week's matchup having lost back-to-back SEC series to Arkansas and Texas.

ON DECK

The Vols close out their nine-game homestand with a midweek contest against West Georgia on Tuesday at 6 p.m. before hitting the road for a weekend series at Kentucky.