NO SIR EEE
The Sultan Of Swat
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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Josh Elander era officially begins on Friday afternoon as No. 3/14 Tennessee opens its 2026 campaign against Nicholls at the newly renovated Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
The Volunteers open the season at home for the second straight year and will look to improve to 5-1 in home season openers during Elander's time on staff. They Big Orange have posted a combined 13-2 record in home series on opening weekend since 2018, including four consecutive series sweeps (2019, 2020, 2022, 2024) during that span. UT is 78-36-2 in season openers overall in program history.
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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
The first 800 fans through the gates for Friday's season opener will receive a Lindsey Nelson Stadium commemorative stadium replica.Upcoming promotions for all home games during the season can be found HERE.
TICKET INFORMATION
Limited single-game tickets for non-conference home games can be purchased through AllVols.com.BROADCAST INFO
All three games of UT's season-opening series against the Colonels can be streamed live on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app. Andy Brock will handle play-by-play duties for Friday's season opener while Zack Nelson will do play-by-play for Friday and Saturday's games. VFL Cody Hawn will serve as the analyst for the entire series.Fans can also listen to the Voice of Tennessee Baseball John Wilkerson and Vince Ferrara call the action via a free audio stream on UTSports.com, the Tennessee Athletics App and the Varsity App.
PROJECTED STARTING PITCHERS
Game 1 (Friday - 4:30 pm): RHP Tegan Kuhnsvs. RHP Nuno ParacheGame 2 (Saturday - 1 pm): RHP Landon Mackvs. LHP Austin Vargas
Game 3 (Sunday - 1 pm): LHP Evan Blanco vs. RHP Haden Luke
SERIES HISTORY
Vols vs. NichollsOverall: 0-0
in Knoxville: 0-0
in Thibodaux: 0-0
at Neutral Sites: 0-0
Last Meeting: N/A
Tennessee and Nicholls will be meeting for the first time on the diamond this weekend.
NOTABLE
Elander Era BeginsFriday marks the official start to Josh Elander's tenure as Tennessee's head baseball coach as he takes over following the departure of Tony Vitello
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to become the manager of the San Francisco Giants. Elander was an assistant coach and the recruiting coordinator on Vitello's staff for the past eight seasons, and served in the role of associate head coach for the last three years. During his time on Rocky Top, the Vols have advanced to five straight NCAA Super Regionals and made three trips to Omaha while winning the program's first National Championship in 2024.
Opening Weekend at the New LNS
Tennessee opens the season at home for the second straight year and will showcase the newly renovated Lindsey Nelson Stadium, which has undergone a $100-plus million transformation. The Vols are 4-1 in home season openers during Elander's time on staff and have a combined 13-2 record in home series on opening weekend, including four consecutive series sweeps (2019, 2020, 2022, 2024) during that span. UT is 78-36-2 in season openers overall in program history.
Lindsey Nelson Stadium now has the amenities to match its elite environment after undergoing a $100-plus million renovation to transform it into one of the nation's finest facilities. The updated capacity for Lindsey Nelson Stadium is 8,012 after the newly added premium seating areas and additional standing room only spaces.
The following is a list of new amenities that will be in place at Lindsey Nelson Stadium for the 2026 season:
- NEW: Home plate entrance and plaza area
- NEW: Left field plaza entrance
- NEW: Third level suites and club space
- NEW: Additional chairback seats under a new mezzanine level
- NEW: First base line restrooms and concessions
- NEW: Left field bar on main concourse (behind the current 4Topps section)
- NEW: Kitchen, which will enhance the food offerings throughout Lindsey Nelson Stadium
- NEW: Ticket office and team merchandise shop inside the main entrance
- NEW: Player entry corridor
- NEW: Third base line restrooms, a mother's room and concessions which will open around SEC play
- NEW: Multiple elevators
- NEW: Permanent, programmable LED and stadium lighting
- Fully completed mezzanine level with a new press box and broadcast booths
- Renovated concessions on main concourse behind home plate
- MVP Room expansion
Decade of the Vols
Since the start of the 2020 season, no team in college baseball has won more games and posted a higher winning percentage than Tennessee. UT's 272 victories and .776 winning percentage both rank No. 1 in the nation over the past six seasons.
NCAA Division I Leaders by Winning Pct (Since 2020)
1. Tennessee - .776 (272-83)
2. Arkansas - .734 (243-88)
Preseason Polling
Tennessee enters the 2026 season as a consensus top-15 team in the national rankings:
D1Baseball (#14) | USA Today (#15) | NCBWA (#15) | Baseball America (#13) | Perfect Game (#3)
Including end of season rankings, the Vols have been ranked in at least one poll for 97 consecutive weeks. UT has earned preseason top 25 rankings in each of the past six seasons after going 13 consecutive years without being ranked in the preseason polls.
OPPONENT SCOUT
Nicholls Colonels- 2025 Record: 17-32 (10-20 SLC)
- 2025 Postseason: N/A
- 2026 Southland Conference Preseason Poll: N/A
- Head Coach: Brent Haring
- Overall Record: 17-32 (2nd year)
- Record at Nicholls: Same
- Preseason All-Conference Selections: N/A
ON DECK
The Vols continue an eight-game homestand to start the season when they host UNC Asheville next Tuesday afternoon at 4 p.m.
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