The Tennessee baseball team has had a solid start to the Josh Elander era. The Vols have started off 2026 with a 12-4 start, including an impressive 10-3 record at home. After the 6-0 loss on Sunday to Wright State, Josh Elander was not happy with the offensive performace form tghe Vols. Elander said:
“Yeah, just immaturity across the board. I mean, guys taking huge swings when we’re down three. I mean, in between on heaters and changeups, a lot of pull-side ground ball misses, and I think we hit 12 or 13 fly ball outs. You know, 50-plus degree launch, and the math is very simple on that, you’re out when you do that.
Elander also noted how the Vols need to take it personal and have it leave a bad taste in their mouth.
“I mean, we need to make some adjustments— the coaching staff too, because again, today is unacceptable, right?" said Elander. "I mean, to get shut out on our home field. There’s only so many times I’ve worn this uniform, we’ve been shut out over the time. So the guys need to take it personal.
Well, Tuesday the Vols hosted Tennessee Tech and well, the Vols answered. Tennessee won the contest 20-2, an astonishing amount of runs for a Division I baseball team. The Vols got off to a blistering start, scoring nine runs in the bottom half of the first inning. Tennessee had two grand slams and six total home runs. After a shaky Sunday performance, the Tennessee baseball team bounced back and then some. You know Elander had to be satisfied with the Vols' performance.
Tennessee has a big opening SEC Series vs Georgia
Tennessee will now shift its focus to its first SEC series against Georgia. Traveling to play the Bulldogs on the road won't be an easy task as they sit 15-3 and are ranked No. 8 in the country. If Tennessee can take two of three, I'm sure Elander will be happy. These are the games that Tennessee really needs to take care of, because falling behind early in conference play is not a recipe for success.