Tennessee defeated No. 3/4 Texas by a score of 5-1 on May 8 in the opening game of its final Southeastern Conference home series of the season.
The game was marked by a standout pitching performance from Tegan Kuhns, who struck out a career-high 15 batters. This total ties the Southeastern Conference single-game high for the season and is the most strikeouts recorded by a Tennessee pitcher since June 4, 2005.
The Volunteers took an early lead against Texas starting pitcher Dylan Volantis, scoring three runs in the first two innings. Trent Grindlinger drove in Blake Grimmer with a double to open scoring in the first inning. Levi Clark and Manny Marin added two more runs in the second inning after an error and a wild pitch.
Kuhns maintained control on the mound throughout, even after head coach Josh Elander visited him during a seventh-inning threat from Texas. Kuhns ended his outing with his fifteenth strikeout, preventing further damage from Texas hitters. Brandon Arvidson closed out the final two innings for Tennessee, striking out four batters and allowing only one run—a solo home run by Aiden Robbins.
Tennessee’s pitchers combined for nineteen strikeouts, setting a season high for the team and coming within two of tying their single-game program record.
Tennessee will continue its series against Texas on Saturday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
