By Anna Reiffer
The Vols turn a scare into a statement in their midweek matchup, taking down the ETSU Buccaneers by a final score of 7-1.
Blaine Brown had a shaky top of the first inning, with the bases loaded and no outs, creating undeniable tension inside Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
However, the Vols did not falter, only allowing one run out of the bind, and going on to score seven unanswered runs of their own.
Frederick Slams the Door on Former Team, Sparks Vols’ Strikeout Surge
Brown loaded the bases on the first three batters by allowing a leadoff single and two straight walks, unable to pitch a single strike.
“You know, I just think sometimes guys are gonna have a bad day out there, right?” Elander said.
Elander went to the bullpen when the count against the next batter reached 0-2, bringing in Brady Frederick to face his former team.
Frederick, a Knoxville native, played for the Bucs in the 2024 and 2025 seasons, earning SoCon Pitcher of the Year in 2025 before transferring to his hometown team.
In his postgame press conference, Frederick explained how his history with some of the players for ETSU went back to high school, but that it didn’t affect his gameplay.
“I would say I was probably more amped up for the situation than actually the team at that moment,” Frederick said.
Frederick executed for the Vols in that stressful situation, only allowing one run on a sacrifice fly before shutting the Bucs down. He was eventually awarded the win against the Bucs.
“[Frederick] is our Swiss Army knife,” Elander said.
The Vols kept this momentum through the rest of the game, bringing in four more pitchers: Appenzeller, Arvidson, Hindy, and Rhudy.
Altogether, this group comprised 15 strikeouts, with five of those being from Rhudy in the final two innings to silence the Bucs.
Tennessee bats come back to haunt the Bucs
After the rocky defensive start to the game, the Vols got to work, posting four runs on four hits.
RBIs from Brown, Clark and Chapman forced the Bucs to go to their bullpen with one out in the bottom of the first.
“We had a good work day yesterday,” Elander said. “So coming out of the gates and getting some heaters… That was nice to see.”
The offensive dominance in the subsequent innings got the crowd in Lindsey Nelson Stadium rowdy with the sounds of “Rocky Top” as they added to the scorecard.
The Vols finished the game with seven runs and 11 hits, with four of those hits including two doubles and a two-run home run.
The home run came from Henry Ford as a 407-foot missile over the stands in left field to drive in himself and Jay Abernathy, who was on first.
The crowd rose to their feet as Abernathy and Ford crossed home plate and stretched the Vols’ lead to six, where it remained for the rest of the game.
Other notable contributors in the batter’s box were Reese Chapman, who went 3-for-3 with an RBI double, and Chris Newstrom, who went 2-for-3 with an RBI.
Looking ahead on Rocky Top
The Vols continue their homestand against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies Wednesday at 4 p.m. before a three-game series against Wright State Friday through Sunday.
All games will be available on SEC Network+.