Why Federico Valverde will miss El Clasico with head injury from fight with Real Madrid teammate
Federico Valverde will miss El Clasico after a head injury from a fight with Tchouameni.
Tennessee baseball defeated Texas 14-9 to secure the series win. Evan Blanco pitched seven innings, striking out eight batters despite allowing five earned runs.
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Tennessee baseball coach Josh Elander approaches the mound to talk with Tegan Kuhns (21) during the NCAA college baseball game against Texas in Knoxville, Tennessee on May 8, 2026. | Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
That’s how you respond after a big win to open a very big series.
Tennessee’s bats exploded to life on Saturday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, burying the Texas Longhorns 14-9 to clinch the series.
Landon Mack was scratched with arm soreness, and Evan Blanco stepped up a day in the order. He allowed five earned runs in seven innings with eight strikeouts on 111 pitches. So, a job well done from the Vols’ starter on the bump today.
Offensively, Tennessee was incredible, scoring in every single inning. I don’t have the time or desire to go through all the games, but that might be the first time they’ve done that this season, and considering the opponent, that’s pretty insane. 5 of 9 Tennessee hitters had multiple hits, and the Vols slugged six home runs while posting 16 hits, which was a season high allowed by Texas.
The Horns took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first, but Tennessee fought back and tied it in the second on a home run to left center by Manny Marin. After Trent Grindlinger doubled in a run for the lead in the third, Blake Grimmer turned some Texas misfortunate against them in the bottom of the fourth. After the Texas catcher fielded a swing and miss strike three ball in the dirt with two outs, his throw sailed high of first, and Grimmer got a chance. He pulverized a breaking ball deep out to right field, over the bullpen, and bouncing into the parking lot for a 6-3 lead.
Texas got two runs back in the fifth, but Tennessee got some space in the bottom of the inning. Reese Chapman laid down a bunt, and the throw again sailed at first and down the line in right, scoring two runs. Marin brought home another on a sac fly, and Tennessee led 9-5.
It would just get worse for Texas from there, as the Vols opened up a commanding 14-6 lead in the eighth inning. Cam Appenzeller had the yips in the ninth, but he got the final three outs in a two-inning appearance.
Tennessee won the game against Texas with a final score of 14-9.
Evan Blanco was the starting pitcher for Tennessee, allowing five earned runs in seven innings.
Landon Mack was scratched from the game due to arm soreness, leading Evan Blanco to step up as the starter.
Federico Valverde will miss El Clasico after a head injury from a fight with Tchouameni.
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Tennessee goes for the sweep on Sunday at noon ET, with the game being broadcast on ESPN2.