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Josh Elander previews 2026 opening series, names starting pitchers
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- Josh Elander previews 2026 opening series, names starting pitchers
No. 15 Tennessee enters game week for the beginning of the 2026 baseball season under first-year head coach Josh Elander . Rankings reflect the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll .
The Vols will host Nicholls State, Friday-Sunday, at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. First pitch on opening day Friday is slated for 4:30 p.m. EST, while Saturday and Sunday's contests are scheduled for a 1 p.m. EST first pitch. All contests in the nonconference series can be watched on SEC Network+.
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"We're just excited to get going," Elander said. "It's been nice how the NCAA has opened it up. We've had a little bit more time. Had to battle the weather a little bit, but had a good weekend. We were able to get outside three consecutive days, see those guys compete a little bit, but again, start of the season is here. We're excited, but again, this will be a process where I told the guys, 'Hey, opening day is right around the corner, but this needs to be a deal'.
"This is just the beginning of getting better and better as we go through the course of the year, and then eventually get into SEC play."
Pitcher Tegan Kuhns for Tennessee baseball in the 2025 SEC Tournament in Hoover, Alabama.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
Elander also announced Tennessee's starting pitching rotation for the three-game series.
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"We'll roll with Tegan Kuhns on Friday," Elander said. "We'll go Landon Mack on Saturday and then Evan Blanco on Sunday. I think that puts us in the best position to have success out of the gate. I think you can make the argument where you can mix and match those guys in any capacity, but it was pretty cool, got to call those guys one by one last night and let them know.
"Total confidence in all three of those guys and their ability to throw the baseball."
More: 2026 Tennessee baseball schedule
More: 'Hunt continues' for Tennessee baseball under Josh Elander
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This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Tennessee baseball starting rotation announced for 2026 opening series
