Tennessee baseball falls to Vanderbilt in 10 innings at Hawkins Field despite strong two-pitcher effort

Low-scoring opener decided after late tying hit and a walk-off single

NASHVILLE — No. 20/21 Tennessee dropped the opening game of its weekend series at Vanderbilt, 3-2 in 10 innings, on Friday, March 27, 2026, at Hawkins Field. The result left both programs even in Southeastern Conference play at 3-4, with Tennessee moving to 18-8 overall and Vanderbilt to 15-12.

The game followed a familiar rivalry script: limited scoring chances, extended pitching duels, and a decisive play in extra innings. Vanderbilt recorded 10 hits to Tennessee’s five and ended the night with a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the 10th by Logan Johnstone.

Pitching shaped the night for both teams

Tennessee leaned heavily on a two-man combination that kept the Volunteers within one swing for most of the evening. Brandon Arvidson, making his first career SEC start, worked five innings with seven strikeouts, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks. Tegan Kuhns followed for 4.1 innings in relief, striking out six while permitting one run on five hits; he was charged with the loss, falling to 1-3.

Vanderbilt countered with Connor Fennell, who carried the Commodores through 7.1 innings while allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits with one walk and nine strikeouts. Brennan Seiber took over late, delivering 2.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen and earning the win.

How the scoring unfolded

• Vanderbilt opened the scoring in the third inning, then added to its lead in the fifth on a solo home run from Korbin Reynolds to go up 2-0.

• Tennessee got on the board in the sixth inning and later tied the game in the eighth when Levi Clark delivered an RBI single, his second hit of the night.

• In the 10th, Tennessee threatened to take the lead with runners on second and third and two outs, but Seiber ended the inning with a strikeout of Blake Grimmer.

• In the bottom of the 10th, Vanderbilt ended the game with Johnstone’s two-out RBI single.

Key individual performances

Clark was Tennessee’s lone multi-hit player, finishing 2-for-4 and driving in the tying run in the eighth. For Vanderbilt, Brodie Johnston went 4-for-5 with an RBI, while Johnstone and Ryker Waite each had two hits.

Tennessee’s late rally and extra-inning opportunity underscored how narrow the margin was in an opener defined by pitching and situational execution.

What’s next

The series continues Saturday afternoon, with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m. ET as Tennessee looks to even the weekend and Vanderbilt aims to secure a series advantage.