Michael Allen 
Blaine Brown celebrates with his team after launching his 2nd home run of the game in Tennessee's 5-1 win over Nicholls on Saturday
SEO Meta Description: Tennessee baseball completed a series sweep of Nicholls with doubleheader wins of 5-1 and 12-2, powered by Blaine Brown’s big day and dominant pitching performances.
Tennessee baseball capped off an impressive opening weekend by sweeping the Nicholls Colonels baseball in a Saturday doubleheader, winning 5-1 and 12-2. Behind a breakout performance from transfer Blaine Brown and dominant pitching throughout the series, the Josh Elander era got off to a strong start in Knoxville.
Game 1: Brown’s Power Backs Mack’s Strong Start
Transfer right-hander Landon Mack set the tone early in Game 1, delivering six strong innings while allowing just one run on four hits. He walked one and struck out nine Colonels in an impressive outing.
Tennessee grabbed the early lead in the first inning when Jay Abernathy was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, forcing in the game’s opening run. After quiet second and third innings, Nicholls tied the game in the fourth on a solo home run by Caston Thompson — the lone blemish on Mack’s day.
The Vols answered immediately.
Chris Newstrom worked a one-out walk and Henry Ford followed with a single, setting the stage for Blaine Brown’s decisive swing — a three-run homer to right-center that put Tennessee back in front for good. Brown struck again in the sixth, launching a solo shot to center to extend the lead to 5-1.
Freshman reliever Cam Appenzeller was dominant in relief, striking out four over two perfect innings. Bo Rhudy handled the ninth, retiring the Colonels in order to seal the win.
Game 2: Vols Explode Early in Run-Rule Victory
Tennessee’s offense wasted no time in Game 2.
After transfer starter Evan Blanco tossed a clean first inning, Brown stayed red hot with an opposite-field homer to left — his third of the day across both games. Levi Clark followed with a home run of his own, and the Vols kept piling on, scoring four runs in the opening frame.
The offensive surge continued in the second inning. Brown doubled, Clark delivered a two-run single, and Tennessee built a commanding 7-0 lead. The Vols kept applying pressure throughout the game, scoring twice more in the fourth and adding three in the fifth — highlighted by a pinch-hit home run from Finley Bates.
Blanco was sharp in his Tennessee debut, pitching five scoreless innings while allowing five hits and two walks. He struck out nine and worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the third to keep Nicholls off the board.
Brayden Krenzel delivered a clean sixth inning, and Brady Frederick struck out three in the seventh despite allowing two runs. The Vols secured the 12-2 run-rule victory to complete the doubleheader sweep.
What’s Next
Tennessee will look to keep the momentum rolling Tuesday afternoon when they host the UNC Asheville Bulldogs baseball.
With explosive offense, strong starting pitching, and lockdown bullpen work, Tennessee’s opening weekend provided an early glimpse of a team that looks poised to make noise this season.
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