Tennessee

What does Tennessee baseball need in order to avoid series sweep at Kentucky

Published

1 month ago

May 3, 2026

What does Tennessee baseball need in order to avoid series sweep at Kentucky

Entering a three-game series at Kentucky, it appeared as if Tennessee baseball’s offense had turned a corner.

After scoring at least six runs in all but two of their last nine SEC games, there was reason to believe the inconsistencies that had previously plagued the Vols’ offense had been remedied.

But in their first two games at Kentucky (29-15, 11-12 SEC), both lopsided losses, those offensive woes returned at Kentucky Proud Park in Lexington. Tennessee (30-17, 10-13) has managed just four total runs in the series, dropping the first matchup on May 1, 9-2, and Game 2 on May 2 in eight innings, 12-2.

As it prepares for the series finale on May 3 (1 p.m. ET, SEC Network+), UT finds itself needing an offensive spark to avoid being swept.

“A lot went wrong again,” first-year UT coach Josh Elander said on May 2. “Not a good approach by our guys, swinging at too many pitches out of the strike zone. Good stuff by (Kentucky starter Jaxon Jelkin) today, but we didn’t get out of the gates. … Not a good formula in any capacity today.”

Tennessee has had to play from behind in both games

Slow starts have become a dangerous habit for the Vols through two games against the Wildcats. Their two runs in the series opener didn’t arrive until Henry Ford hit a home run in the eighth inning, the team by then already down 9-0.

They generated a few opportunities before but weren’t able to cash in on three separate chances with a runner in scoring position — once seeing a potential Jay Abernathy RBI single prevented by a full-extension diving catch in shallow left field.

In the second game, Tennessee didn’t manage a baserunner off Jelkin until the fifth and were caught trying to make up an early deficit again. During a mid-game flurry that saw the deficit lessened to 4-2 by a Blaine Brown home run, Tennessee worked the tying run to the plate in the sixth with the heart of the order up.

That was the closest they would get; the next nine batters went down in order and Kentucky pounced on the Vols’ bullpen to run-rule them.

Postseason stakes put extra importance on series finale

In Tennessee’s first 12 SEC matchups, it averaged 5.7 runs per game, contributing to a 4-8 start in league play. But in the nine following conference games, beginning with a sweep of Mississippi State, that number jumped to 7.3 runs per game and included two series wins, boosting the Vols’ SEC record to 10-11. That stretch removed doubt from their NCAA Tournament resume and put them in position to earn a bye in the single-elimination conference tournament.

Now, Tennessee enters the series finale needing a result before facing No. 4 Texas next week – which owns arguably the most feared pitching staff in the SEC.

“At this point, there needs to be more sense of urgency and a little bit more pride,” Elander said. “Very, very frustrating day all the way around, especially after the performance last night. We have to come into tomorrow and basically throw this game in the trash and reset and be ready to go and salvage the weekend tomorrow.”

Emmett Siegel covers Tennessee baseball for Knox News. Email: emmett.siegel@knoxnews.com; X: @EmmettSiegel_

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Tennessee

Norfolk Southern derailment, fire in Tennessee leads to evacuations

Published

6 hours ago

June 12, 2026

Press Room

LANCING, Tenn. — A Norfolk Southern train including cars carrying ethanol derailed and caught fire in a remote area of Morgan County, Tenn., leading to precautionary evacuations.

The derailment occurred about 3:23 p.m. on Thursday, June 1. WATE-TV reports Morgan County Executive Brian Langley said four or five cars were on fire. There were no injuries, he said.

The National Transportation Safety

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Tennessee Baseball Transfer Commits To SEC School | Rocky Top Insider

Published

16 hours ago

June 12, 2026

Press Room

Tennessee Baseball Transfer Commits To SEC School | Rocky Top Insider

Photo via Tennessee Athletics

Tennessee baseball transfer utility man Jay Abernathy committed to Oklahoma on Thursday evening, he announced on Instagram. Despite being a two-seed in the Atlanta Regional, Oklahoma made it to the College World Series this season and begins play Saturday afternoon against Alabama.

Abernathy played in 53 games and started 39 games during his sophomore season, hitting .236 with nine doubles, three homers, one triple and 16 RBIs. He started 27 games as a freshman, hitting .282 with three doubles, one homer and 11 RBIs.

The left-handed utility man was a real threat on the base paths, stealing 17 bases in his two years in Knoxville.

Abernathy is a versatile defender who started 29 games in centerfield and 10 games at second base this past season. He was particularly strong defensively in centerfield, using his speed to track down balls in the gap.

However, Abernathy’s inconsistent bat keeps it from being a lock that he would have been an everyday starter for the Vols next season.

More From RTI: Brody Trosclair Explains Why Tennessee Baseball Felt Like Home, Impressions Of Austin Knight

The Vols are in need of outfielders entering next season. Centerfielder Garrett Wright is likely MLB Draft bound while Reese Chapman is out of eligibility and Nate Eisfelder also entered the transfer portal.

Abernathy is one of 15 Tennessee players have entered the transfer portal this offseason including first baseman Evan Hankins, right-handed pitcher Nic Abraham, outfielder Nate Eisfelder, shortstop Manny Marin, catcher Cash Williams, infielder Finley Bates, shortstop Ariel Antigua, infielder Ethan Moore, utility man Hunter High, utility man Chris Newstrom, outfielder Hutson Chance and right-handed pitcher Brayden Krenzel, two-way Taylor Tracey and right-handed pitcher Ari Bethea.

A number of Tennessee players have announced intentions to return for next season including RHP Landon Mack, LHP Cam Appenzeller, first baseman Levi Clark, catcher Trent Grindlinger, catcher Stone Lawless and LHP Will Haas.

The Vols have landed two transfer commits to date including Northwestern State left-handed pitcher Brody Trosclair and Mercer two-way Braydon Kersey. Air Force infielder Wyatt Hanoian has also visited Tennessee this offseason.

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Tennessee law requires proof of citizenship for first-time vehicle registration

Published

1 day ago

June 11, 2026

Press Room

Tennessee law requires proof of citizenship for first-time vehicle registration

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — A new Tennessee law will require first-time vehicle registration applicants to show proof of citizenship or legal immigration status beginning in 2027, a requirement that does not apply to drivers renewing existing registrations.

Tennessee has enacted a new law, Public Chapter 954, that requires people applying for an initial motor vehicle registration to prove they are a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident, or a person whose federal immigration status authorizes their presence in the country for a specific purpose and time period.

The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2027. It applies only to first-time registrations for vehicles that require a license plate.

It does not apply to registration renewals, meaning people who already have a registered vehicle and are simply renewing that registration are not affected.

The Tennessee Department of Revenue will publish a full list of acceptable documents on its website. However, the law already identifies five specific license types that automatically qualify as proof: