BSB PREVIEW: #13/20 Vols Look to Rebound Against Bellarmine

February 23, 2026 | Baseball

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 13/20 Tennessee will look to rebound from a disappointing weekend when it welcomes Bellarmine to Lindsey Nelson Stadium on Tuesday afternoon at 4 p.m.

MORE INFO

Game & Broadcast Info

Opponent: Bellarmine Knights
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 24
Location: Knoxville, Tenn.
Venue: Lindsey Nelson Stadium (8,012)
Watch: SEC Network+
Listen: UTSports.com/UT Athletics App
Live Stats: UTStats.com

#13/20 Tennessee (5-2 | 0-0 SEC)

Roster Schedule Stats Notes

Bellarmine (2-5 | 0-0 ASUN)

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After winning the series opener against Kent State in dramatic fashion with a Tyler Myatt walk-off, pinch hit home run in the bottom of the ninth, the Vols dropped games two and three to lose their first regular-season non-conference series since 2020.

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.

TICKET INFORMATION

Single-game tickets for non-conference home games can be purchased through AllVols.com.

BROADCAST INFO

Tuesday's contest against the Knights will be streamed on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app with Charley Collier calling the action.

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

LHP Blaine Brown (1 GS, 0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. RHP Deaton Oak (1 GS, 0-0, 9.00 ERA)

SERIES HISTORY

Vols vs. Bellarmine
Overall: UT leads, 5-0
in Knoxville: UT leads, 5-0
in Louisville: --
at Neutral Sites: --
Last Meeting: April 15, 2025 (W, 13-3 in 8 inn.)

All five of UT's wins over Bellarmine have come by six or more runs, including three straight victories by 10 or more.

NOTABLE

Vols Look to Continue Midweek Success
The Big Orange have been dominant in midweek games since now head coach Josh Elander joined the staff in 2018, having compiled a 78-11 record in such contests during that span. Tennessee dispatched UNC Asheville, 10-3, in its first midweek test of the year last Tuesday.

Abernathy Hitting His Stride
Sophomore speedster Jay Abernathy is off to a good start this season and was one of the Vols' top performers last week, leading the team with a .500 batting average, seven hits, five runs scored, two doubles, four RBIs, 14 total bases, a 1.000 slugging percentage and two walks over four games.

The Acworth, Georgia, native, hit his first home run of the year in Friday's win over the Golden Flashes to give UT a 3-1 lead and batted .400 for the series.

Swing and Miss Stuff
Tennessee's pitching staff has been racking up strikeouts in the early going this season, ranking eighth nationally in strikeouts per nine innings (13.4). The Vols have recorded 10-plus strikeouts in six of their seven games this season and had nine in the one contest that they did not reach double digits.

Rutgers transfer Landon Mack has racked up a team-high 20 punchouts over his two starts this year, which leads the SEC and ranks fourth in the nation.

The New LNS
The newly renovated 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

OPPONENT SCOUT

Bellarmine Knights (2-5)

2025 Record: 17-38 (11-19 ASUN)
2025 Postseason: N/A
2026 Atlantic Sun Conference Preseason Poll: 6^th(Gold Division)
Head Coach: Ben Reel
- Overall Record: 567-307-1 (17^th year)
- Record at BU: 19-43 (2^nd year)
Preseason All-Conference Selections (1): SS Landon Akers

ON DECK

The Vols hit the road for the first time this season as they will head to Arlington, Texas for the 2026 Amegy Bank College Baseball Series at Globe Life Field this weekend.

Tennessee will open the tournament against top-ranked UCLA on Friday at 4 p.m. ET before taking on Arizona State (Saturday at 12 p.m. ET) and Virginia Tech (11:30 a.m. ET) to wrap up the weekend slate.