University of Tennessee Athletics Kuhns' Record-Setting Night Leads Vols Past #3/4 Texas in Series Opener KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee baseball team delivered a commanding performance on Friday night, defeating No. 3/4 Texas 5-1 in the opening game of its final SEC home series of the season. The Volunteers, ranked 33rd in the nation, showcased their dominance on the mound and their ability to capitalize on key offensive opportunities, overcoming a resilient Texas squad. Sophomore right-hander Tegan Kuhns was the standout performer, setting a school record with 15 strikeouts in a single game and tying the SEC single-game strikeout mark set by LSU’s Casan Evans earlier this season. Kuhns’ effort, which also matched the program’s highest strikeout total since June 2005, was instrumental in securing the victory. The game began with Tennessee asserting its dominance early. Designated hitter Trent Grindlinger opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning with a double to left center, plating Blake Grimmer from second after he reached on an infield single. The Volunteers extended their lead in the second inning, with Levi Clark advancing from first to third on a double down the left-field line by Manny Marin. An error by the left fielder allowed Clark to score, making it 3-0. Marin later came in to score on a wild pitch, increasing the Vols’ advantage to 4-0. Texas, however, did not go quietly. The Longhorns (36-11, 15-9 SEC) mounted a threat in the top of the seventh inning with back-to-back two-out singles. After a mound visit from head coach Josh Elander, Kuhns responded with a dominant strikeout of Casey Borba, his 15th of the game, sending the Lindsey Nelson Stadium crowd into a frenzy. The Vols capitalized on the momentum, adding two runs in the bottom of the seventh.#texas #university_of_tennessee #tegan_kuhns #lindsey_nelson_stadium #josh_elander
Tennessee baseball’s Tegan Kuhns strikes out 15 in ‘incredible’ start The crowd was already on its feet to give him a standing ovation, but it wasn’t time yet for Tegan Kuhns’ curtain call. Tennessee baseball coach Josh Elander walked to the mound to talk with his sophomore right-hander, who had already provided a gem of a start. With 109 pitches already thrown, Kuhns figured his outing was over. Elander had different ideas. “They must be cheering for me, because you’re staying in this game,” Elander told Kuhns. A long foul ball provided strike one, and an off-speed pitch on the outside edge gave strike two. The fans rose again, and Kuhns sent them into a frenzy by inducing a swing and miss to end the seventh inning. He pointed to the turf at Lindsey Nelson Stadium and declared: “This is my house!” It was the 113th and final pitch of a masterful performance, putting an exclamation point on the most dominant start of Kuhns’ career as the Vols (33-17, 12-13 SEC) won 5-1 against No. 4 Texas (36-11, 15-9 SEC) on May 8. A career-high 15 strikeouts highlighted seven shutout innings, which included just four hits and one walk. It was only the second time this season an SEC pitcher recorded 15 strikeouts in a game, the other coming on March 19 when LSU’s Casan Evans did it against Oklahoma. “I have (struck out 15 batters) in high school, but it was nothing like I did tonight for sure,” Kuhns said. “Just executing when I needed to and landing that curveball down in the bottom of the zone.” Kuhns set the tone from the start, working around a leadoff walk for a scoreless first inning. His opposite was Texas lefty Dylan Volantis, one of the best pitchers in the SEC, so runs would be at a premium. Once the Vols put a run on the board in the bottom half, Kuhns’ confidence rose.#texas #sec #tegan_kuhns #josh_elanders #lindsey_nelson_stadium
