Opening Weekend Preview: Nicholls State University
With opening weekend set in Knoxville, all eyes now turn to how this matchup against the Colonels of Nicholls State will shape the tone of the season.
While Nicholls State enters 2026 looking to bounce back from a tough year where they finished 17-32 (10-20) and 9th in the SLC, ending their back-to-back run of SLC Champions, they still bring experience and proven production to the field.
Veterans like Karson Irvin and Carter Jenkins give the Colonels stability at the plate. Irvin led the team in hits last year with 57 and Jenkins was the team batting champion, slashing .326 at the plate. The return of Sunday’s starter, RHP Hayden Luke, is highly anticipated as he made appearances on both ’23 and ’24 championship team before being sidelined all last season due to injury. Featured on the bump will also be Nicholls’ likely ace, Nuno Parache. Senior RHP Parache returns after dealing a 3.81 ERA in 54.1 innings last season.
Nicholls State is coached by Brent Haring. Coach Haring is entering his second season at the helm after previously being the Director of Operations for the 2024 LSU Tigers baseball program and Associate Head Coach at BYU in years prior to that.
For Tennessee, this weekend is about more than just adding wins to the column. It is about setting a standard, building rhythm early, and establishing dominance at home. Opening series often reveal identity, and the Volunteers have an opportunity to show exactly who they plan to be in 2026 as the new era in Vol Nation begins.
All games will be streaming on ESPN+
