AP Sports Preview: Texas at Tennessee

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — The Southeastern Conference series between Texas and Tennessee shifts to Lindsey Nelson Stadium for a Saturday evening matchup, with first pitch scheduled under clear skies and 67-degree temperatures.

Texas (36-11) looks to rebound after dropping Friday’s series opener 5-1 to the Volunteers (33-17). The Longhorns managed just four hits in that loss and will send right-hander Dylan Volantis to the mound for a second consecutive start against Tennessee.

Volantis, a key figure in Texas’ rotation, lasted only five innings in Friday’s defeat, allowing three earned runs on zero hits with two strikeouts. The odd line included no hits but three runs, a result of three walks and defensive miscues. Prior to that outing, Volantis had been dominant: He threw six scoreless innings against Mississippi State on May 1 (12 strikeouts), fired six no-hit innings at Vanderbilt on April 24 (11 strikeouts) and allowed two earned runs over six frames against Alabama on April 17 (12 strikeouts).

Tennessee counters with right-hander Tegan Kuhns, who authored the victory Friday with seven innings of four-hit shutout ball, striking out 15. Kuhns (7-2) has been inconsistent but electric: He lasted six innings in a May 1 loss at Kentucky (six earned runs), bounced back with eight shutout innings against Alabama on April 24 (nine strikeouts) and allowed zero earned runs in a May 3 loss to Mississippi despite giving up five hits over 5 2/3 innings.

The Volunteers have won seven of their last 10, including a midweek blowout of Presbyterian. The Longhorns took two of three from Mississippi State last weekend and edged Sam Houston 15-14 on April 28.

Interstat’s game simulator projects an 8-7 Texas victory, though the ELO system gives Tennessee a 54 percent probability to win.

The series concludes Sunday afternoon. Tennessee’s next 10 games include a midweek date with Belmont and a three-game set at Oklahoma, while Texas hosts Missouri for three games following Sunday’s finale.

NOTES: Texas third baseman Aiden Robbins went 2 for 3 with a home run and an RBI in Friday’s loss. Tennessee designated hitter Trent Grindlinger drove in a run Friday and has been productive in the middle of the order.