By Jay King
First, it was the Sunday game versus Georgia. Then it was the Sunday game versus Vanderbilt. And now it was the Sunday game versus LSU.
This now makes it three Sunday games in four weeks where the Vols blow a five-run lead.
Not only that, but since their win over Ole Miss on April 13, 2026, Tennessee has been 1-8 in Sunday conference games and has won only one SEC series.
“If you don’t finish, other teams will get you,” said head coach Josh Elander. “You have to make the decision to collectively do it and believe they can together.”
Just like Friday, Tennessee had the lead for most of the game, until a disastrous inning shifted the momentum to LSU’s side.
This time, it was the seventh inning where Tennessee was leading 5-0. All five runs came in the third inning, where Tennessee got a double, and LSU committed three errors. The Vols cashed in on that opportunity with a Blaine Brown Grand Slam.
Evan Blanco was having a good game so far, as he had given up three hits and one run.
Then, at the top of the seventh, he gave up a solo home run. No big deal, the score was still 5-2. It was time for a pitching switch anyway. This is when the collapse officially started.
Brady Frederick came in for the Vols, and he only faced two batters. Both were home runs. He then got pulled. Brandon Arvidson then came in and recorded the two outs needed. It was now 5-4, Tennessee.
The Vols still had the lead, though, and Brandon Arvidson got the two outs to go back on offense.
And just like all season, when there is adversity, the offense can not produce. Two runners were left on base in the seventh, and the eighth inning ended in a double play stranding two.
In the top of the ninth, LSU was down to their final strike, but had the bases loaded, and Jake Brown delivered an RBI single to tie it up.
Once again, the bats were dead in the bottom of the ninth, as the Tigers only needed five pitches to prevent a walkoff.
The 10th was when it was really looking like LSU was going to win it, as Arvidson gave up two singles, but it was not over for the Vols, as Reese Chapman gunned down an LSU runner that was going to be the go-ahead run. Tennessee then got two straight outs. Back to offense.
Once again, the bats were dead, as it was another five-pitch inning for LSU.
The top of the 11th saw Cade Arrambide (we will get back to him) hit a solo home run to take the lead. Bo Rhudy would get the other outs to only make it a one-run game.
In the bottom of the 11th, Blaine Brown had a single, and Levi Clark almost was the hero for the Vols, as he hit a ball to center, but it died right at the warning track. Brown was able to score, though, so it was back to being tied.
The top of the 12th was when any hope of winning died instantly. LSU scored 10 runs, as the entire team collapsed almost instantly.
Cade Arrambide was the top player that inning, and in the game, as he hit a grand slam that went over the scoreboard, his fourth home run of the game.
Up Next: Now the Volunteers have lost five of the last six SEC games, and every single one of them was completely winnable. It gets worse, though, as they have to go on the road next week to face off against the fourth-ranked Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field.
Tennessee is not even looking to host a regional at this point; they are focused on making it to the tournament.
“Just keep going,” said Elander. “[There is] a lot of baseball left, and just gonna hit the reset button, and be ready to go next week.