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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee dropped game one versus LSU on Friday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, 7-5, despite a dazzling performance from sophomore right-hander Landon Mack.
Not our night . pic.twitter.com/sDLFQs9fPQ
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) April 4, 2026
Mack was excellent in his first Friday night start of the season. The sophomore logged a season-high seven innings pitched and struck out 10, retiring the last 14 batters he faced.
Blake gives us a little life!
📺https://t.co/vR5mtMRhnu #GBO🍊 // #OTH pic.twitter.com/ix92YHyB0s
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) April 4, 2026
The Tigers (21-10, 5-5 SEC) threatened with two outs in the top of the second after two singles and a walk loaded the bases, but Mack got out of the jam after left fielder Chris Stanfield popped out to shortstop to strand three.
M9 | LSU adds to their lead with a two out solo homer, so we'll need at least three now to keep this one going.
Brown, Ford, Grimmer are due up.
7-4 LSU#GBO🍊 // #OTH pic.twitter.com/y4hsyYgiAb
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) April 4, 2026
Right fielder Jake Brown got LSU on the board in the top of the third with a solo home run, but UT catcher Levi Clark answered right back in the bottom half of the inning by launching a solo blast into the second deck of the porches to tie the game at one apiece.
T8 | LSU has hit back-to-back homers to take the lead.
Chandler Day now coming on to try and get the final out here in the inning.
6-4 Tigers#GBO🍊 // #OTH pic.twitter.com/ADw1GFGXqK
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) April 4, 2026
The Volunteers (19-11, 3-7 SEC) got right back to work an inning later, following a jam-shot single into short left field by Blake Grimmer, senior Reese Chapman sent an 0-1 pitch through the flag poles in right center field to give UT a 3-1 lead heading to the fifth.
T8 | After walking the bases loaded, Arvidson is able to get a big first out. He'll hand the ball of to RHP Bo Rhudy as we look to escape this jam.
4-1 Vols
📺https://t.co/vR5mtMRhnu#GBO🍊 // #OTH pic.twitter.com/xnXbi0ttNR
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) April 3, 2026
After a couple of quiet innings from both sides, the Big Orange pushed their fourth run across in the bottom of the eighth. Reliever Santiago Garcia walked in a run after UT loaded the bases with two walks and a single, making the score 4-1.
E7 | Grimmer works an RBI walk to add to our lead in the seventh.
LHP Brandon Arvidson will take over for Mack to start the eighth after an incredible start from the sophomore right hander!
4-1 Vols
📺https://t.co/vR5mtMRhnu#GBO🍊 // #OTH pic.twitter.com/R87A5tqCUs
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) April 3, 2026
The Bayou Bengals responded in the top of the eighth with five runs on back-to-back two-out homers, including a grand slam from Derek Curiel to put LSU in front. A solo shot by Seth Dardar followed, giving the Tigers a two-run lead. Stanfield added an insurance run in the top of the ninth inning with a solo home run of his own, pushing the score to 7-4.
New Lindsey Nelson Stadium Attendance Record this evening!
7,195#GBO🍊 // #OTH pic.twitter.com/BqIuafxL3M
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) April 3, 2026
With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Grimmer hit his fourth home run of the season to bring the Vols within two, but that would be all they would get as Deven Sheerin closed the door to seal the win.
M6 | Mack attack going strong with another 1-2-3 inning!
Vols leading LSU, 3-1.
📺https://t.co/vR5mtMRhnu#GBO🍊 // #OTH pic.twitter.com/NP3tO64WJb
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) April 3, 2026
Despite the loss, Chapman had a standout performance, finishing 3-for-5 with a pair of RBIs and a leaping catch at the right-field wall to rob a home run from Steven Milam to end the fifth inning.
Reese Chapman, certified ball player!
📺https://t.co/vR5mtMRhnu #GBO🍊 // #OTH // #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/3ztRom1Rjq
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) April 3, 2026
UP NEXT: Tennessee will be back in action Saturday night at LNS for game two against the Tigers. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. and the game will be televised on ESPN2.
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