BSB PREVIEW: Vols Set for Tuesday Battle vs. Norse

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee closes out a five-game homestand on Tuesday evening with a 6 p.m. midweek contest against Northern Kentucky at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

The Volunteers are coming off a 2-2 week that featured a midweek win over Austin Peay before they dropped two of three to LSU over the weekend, including a heartbreaking extra-innings defeat in Sunday’s rubber game.

THE NEW LINDSEY NELSON STADIUM

The new Lindsey Nelson Stadium now has the amenities to match its elite environment after undergoing a $100-plus million renovation to transform it into one of the nation’s finest facilities. The updated capacity for Lindsey Nelson Stadium is 8,012 after the newly added premium seating areas and additional standing room only spaces.

The following is a list of new amenities that will be in place at Lindsey Nelson Stadium for the 2026 season:
– NEW: Home plate entrance and plaza area
– NEW: Left field plaza entrance
– NEW: Third level suites and club space
– NEW: Additional chairback seats under a new mezzanine level
– NEW: First base line restrooms and concessions
– NEW: Left field bar on main concourse (behind the current 4Topps section)
– NEW: Kitchen, which will enhance the food offerings throughout Lindsey Nelson Stadium
– NEW: Ticket office and team merchandise shop inside the main entrance
– NEW: Player entry corridor
– NEW: Third base line restrooms, a mother’s room and concessions which will open around SEC play
– NEW: Multiple elevators
– NEW: Permanent, programmable LED and stadium lighting
– Fully completed mezzanine level with a new press box and broadcast booths
– Renovated concessions on main concourse behind home plate
– MVP Room expansion

GAMEDAY INFO

Fans are encouraged to check the Tennessee Baseball Gameday Central page prior to each game for the most updated info in regards to parking, stadium policies, stadium entry points and more.

PROMOTIONS & GIVEAWAYS

The first 250 fans through the gates will receive a free Tennessee golf flag.

All upcoming promotions for all home games during the season can be found HERE.

BROADCAST INFO

Myan Patel (PxP) and VFL Redmond Walsh (analyst) will have the call on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app for Tuesday’s game.

Fans can also listen to the Voice of Tennessee Baseball John Wilkerson and Vince Ferrara call the action on the Vol Network (FM 99.1/AM 990), UTSports.com, the Tennessee Athletics App and the Varsity App.

PROJECTED STARTING PITCHERS

UT: RHP Ethan Baiotto (6 APP, 1 GS, 1-0, 5.63 ERA)
NKU: RHP MJ Castaneda (9 APP, 1 GS, 1-0, 5.65 ERA)

SERIES HISTORY

Vols vs. Norse
Overall: Tennessee leads, 4-0
in Knoxville: Tennessee leads, 4-0
in Highland Heights: N/A
at Neutral Sites: N/A
Last Meeting: W, 7-5 on April 29, 2025

In just four all-time meetings with NKU, Tennessee has outscored the Norse, 49-9, including a 9-3 victory in its opening game of the 2024 NCAA Knoxville Regional.

NOTABLE

Appenzeller is Inevitable
Freshman standout Cam Appenzeller continued his string of dominant performances in last Saturday’s 4-1 victory over LSU. The talented left-hander pitched five scoreless innings of relief, allowing a softly-hit single to the first batter he faced before retiring 15 straight Tigers to end the game.

Appenzeller struck out six in his fourth win of the year and extended his scoreless innings streak in the process, as he has yet to allow a run in 18.1 innings pitched during conference play, surrendering just nine hits and one walk while striking out 19 in four SEC appearances.

Grimmer Getting into a Groove
Redshirt sophomore utility man Blake Grimmer is coming off his best week of the season, leading the Big Orange with a .385 batting average, six runs, two homers, four RBIs and 12 total bases in four games last week. Both of his homers came in UT’s weekend series against LSU, as he hit solo shots in games one and two of the series. Grimmer’s five long balls this year rank third on the team heading into Tuesday’s midweek matchup against the Norse.

Vols Look to Remain Perfect in Midweek Action
Tennessee has been perfect in midweek games so far this season, entering Tuesday’s matchup against NKU with an 8-0 record. In those eight wins, the Vols have outscored their opposition 83-20 and have yet to allow more than four runs to a midweek opponent.

OPPONENT SCOUT

Northern Kentucky Norse (13-17, 6-6 Horizon)

• 2025 Record: 31-25 (18-12 Horizon)
• 2025 Postseason: N/A
• 2026 Horizon League Preseason Poll: 3^rd
• Head Coach: Dizzy Peyton
  • Overall Record: 128-128 (5^th year)
  • Record at NKU: Same
• Preseason All-Conference Selections: No Preseason Team Selected

ON DECK

The Vols travel to Starkville for a big series against No. 8/9 Mississippi State this weekend at Dudy Noble Field. All three games will be streamed on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app.