No. 21 Vols Welcome USC Upstate to Lindsey Nelson in Midweek Matchup
Image: Drew Garrison/Tennessee Athletics
By Aidan Sidoti
No. 21 Tennessee baseball (17–7, 3–3 SEC) is back again at Lindsey Nelson Stadium on Tuesday night, hosting USC Upstate (12-13, 3-3 Big South) as the Vols look to remain a perfect 7-0 in midweek games under head coach Josh Elander.
Tennessee enters the matchup fresh off its first SEC series win of the season, taking two of three from Missouri to climb back to .500 in conference play. The weekend was capped by a dominant Sunday performance from left-handed Virginia transfer Evan Blanco who delivered a career‑best 7 2/3 innings in a 7-1 rubber‑match victory. Blanco struck out five and allowed just one run, and gave pitching coach Josh Reynolds exactly what he needed on the mound.
The bats finally came alive behind him. Catcher Levi Clark and outfielder Garrett Wright each launched two‑run homers as Tennessee put together one of its most complete offensive performances of the year.
Now the Vols turn their attention to a USC Upstate team that is capable of stealing a midweek game. Tennessee has handled these spots well so far, and another clean performance would keep the Vols unbeaten in midweek play heading into a crucial SEC road trip with Vanderbilt over the weekend.
First pitch is set for 6 p.m. ET on SEC Network+.
