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CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – No. 20/23 Tennessee had its season come to a close on Saturday afternoon with a 5-4 loss to VCU in the Chapel Hill Regional at Boshamer Stadium.
The 2026 season comes to a close.
Thank you to #VolNation for all your support this season.#GBO🍊 pic.twitter.com/uSwbGNYMy3
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) May 30, 2026
A couple of missed opportunities in the early innings proved costly as the Volunteers left five runners on base, including three in scoring position over the first two frames.
Another 1-2-3 inning from Appy and to the ninth we go with the season on the line.
Top of the order coming to the plate.
📺 https://t.co/yPCCZ59V3d (ESPN)#GBO🍊 // #OTH pic.twitter.com/JGgGjgXYqb
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) May 30, 2026
Despite that, UT (38-22) was still able to strike first via a Reese Chapman two-run homer in the top of the third inning.
T8 | Back-to-back singles from Levi and Reese puts runners on the corners for Stone, who brings in a run with a sac fly to make it a one-run game!
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— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) May 30, 2026
The Rams (38-24) answered back with a leadoff solo homer from Trent Adelman in the bottom of the third and looked like they would tie the game later in the inning on a single by Jacob Lee, but a perfect throw from left fielder Garrett Wright cut down the runner at home plate to end the inning.
Back-to-back strikeouts for Cam to strand the runner at second!
Back to the plate we go looking to erase this two-run deficit. New VCU pitcher is RHP Zachary Peters.#GBO🍊 // #OTH pic.twitter.com/vZGrXP99d8
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) May 30, 2026
Despite battling an illness, Tennessee starter Tegan Kuhns got off to a fantastic start by striking out five batters over the first two innings. However, the sophomore right-hander was only able to make it through four innings when it was all said and done, allowing three runs on four hits and a walk.
B6 | Another pitching change as Appenzeller will take over for Hindy with a runner on second and one out.
5-3 Rams#GBO🍊 // #OTH pic.twitter.com/WxOFfAOeXd
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) May 30, 2026
VCU scored two runs in consecutive innings to take a lead it would not relinquish, tagging Kuhns for two in the fourth before getting two more off of reliever Brady Frederick on a Nate Kirkpatrick two-run double in the fifth to take a 5-2 lead.
STONE SMASH 💪
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— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) May 30, 2026
Mark Hindy did well to be alert and cut down an attempted steal of home plate to end the fifth inning and limit the damage to just two runs to keep the Vols within striking distance.
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) May 30, 2026
Stone Lawless hammered a 3-1 pitch over the left-field wall in the top of the sixth to cut the VCU lead to two runs. Lawless and the Big Orange continued to battle back with another run in the eighth as the redshirt sophomore catcher drove in Levi Clark with a sacrifice fly to make it a 5-4 game.
E5 | Hindy escapes the jam by catching the runner at third trying to steal home.
Nice job by Stone making the catch and getting the tag down to keep the deficit at three.#GBO🍊 // #OTH pic.twitter.com/WdqrBjQdi3
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) May 30, 2026
While Tennessee was battling back at the plate, freshman reliever Cam Appenzeller was dominating on the mound to keep the Rams from extending their lead. The lefty retired all eight batters he faced, striking out five of them.
M5 | Brady Frederick will take over on the mound to start the bottom of the fifth.
VCU leading 3-2.#GBO🍊 // #OTH pic.twitter.com/zv5aN7wKU6
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) May 30, 2026
Tennessee got the tying run on base in the top of the ninth via a one-out walk, but a strikeout and a line out to right field ended the game as Zachary Peters nailed down his seventh save of the season.
On top after three. Looking to add to the lead here in the fourth.#GBO🍊 // #OTH pic.twitter.com/Ig8l91UNfJ
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) May 30, 2026
UT outhit the VCU, 10-7, for the game and had seven different players finish with a hit, including multi-hit days from Wright, Trent Grindlinger and Chapman.
G-Wright on the 💸
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— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) May 30, 2026
With their appearance in this year’s Chapel Hill Regional, the Big Orange extended their NCAA Tournament streak to seven straight, building on their program record.
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