University of Tennessee Athletics
Two Vols Earn SEC Weekly Honors Following Series Win Over Alabama
April 27, 2026 | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Tennessee had two players earn weekly honors from the Southeastern Conference on Monday afternoon in sophomore pitcher Tegan Kuhns and freshman designated hitter/catcher Trent Grindlinger.
Kuhns was named the SEC Pitcher of the Week for the first time in his career after delivering his best performance of the season when the Vols needed it most.
The right-hander tossed an eight-inning, complete-game shutout to even UT's series against No. 13 Alabama in the first game of a Friday doubleheader, setting the tone for the day in which the Big Orange dominated from start to finish en route to an important series win.
It marked the first complete-game of Kuhns' career and the first by a Tennessee pitcher since Marcus Phillips tossed a seven-inning, complete-game shutout against Florida in March of 2025. Kuhns allowed just three hits and one walk while racking up nine strikeouts to earn the win, setting the Crimson Tide down in order five times over his eight innings of work.
Kuhns is the first Vol to win SEC Pitcher of the Week honors since Liam Doyle on April 14 of last year.
Grindlinger was tabbed the SEC Co-Freshman of the Week after another impressive set of games at the plate. The freshman designated hitter led or tied for the team lead for the week in batting average (.533), hits (eight), home runs (three), RBIs (six), slugging percentage (1.200) and on-base percentage (.632). Seven of Grindlinger's eight hits came in UT's series win over No. 13 Alabama, as he batted .583 with three-multi-hit games and five RBIs to help lead the Big Orange to a pair of much-needed wins.
The California native was especially productive in Friday's doubleheader sweep, totaling five hits, three runs, a double, two homers and five RBIs for the Big Orange.
Grindlinger is the second Vol to earn SEC Freshman of the Week recognition this season, joining pitcher Cam Appenzeller, who earned the honor on April 13. He is the first Tennessee position player/hitter to earn the award since Levi Clark on March 10 of last year.
Kuhns was named the SEC Pitcher of the Week for the first time in his career after delivering his best performance of the season when the Vols needed it most.
The right-hander tossed an eight-inning, complete-game shutout to even UT's series against No. 13 Alabama in the first game of a Friday doubleheader, setting the tone for the day in which the Big Orange dominated from start to finish en route to an important series win.
It marked the first complete-game of Kuhns' career and the first by a Tennessee pitcher since Marcus Phillips tossed a seven-inning, complete-game shutout against Florida in March of 2025. Kuhns allowed just three hits and one walk while racking up nine strikeouts to earn the win, setting the Crimson Tide down in order five times over his eight innings of work.
Kuhns is the first Vol to win SEC Pitcher of the Week honors since Liam Doyle on April 14 of last year.
Grindlinger was tabbed the SEC Co-Freshman of the Week after another impressive set of games at the plate. The freshman designated hitter led or tied for the team lead for the week in batting average (.533), hits (eight), home runs (three), RBIs (six), slugging percentage (1.200) and on-base percentage (.632). Seven of Grindlinger's eight hits came in UT's series win over No. 13 Alabama, as he batted .583 with three-multi-hit games and five RBIs to help lead the Big Orange to a pair of much-needed wins.
The California native was especially productive in Friday's doubleheader sweep, totaling five hits, three runs, a double, two homers and five RBIs for the Big Orange.
Grindlinger is the second Vol to earn SEC Freshman of the Week recognition this season, joining pitcher Cam Appenzeller, who earned the honor on April 13. He is the first Tennessee position player/hitter to earn the award since Levi Clark on March 10 of last year.
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/ BaseballBSB | Tegan Kuhns Postgame Media vs. Alabama (4.24.26)
Friday, April 24
BSB | Trent Grindlinger Postgame Media vs. Alabama (4.24.26)
Friday, April 24
BSB | Blaine Brown Postgame Media vs. Alabama (4.24.26)
Friday, April 24
BSB | Josh Elander Postgame Media vs. Alabama (4.24.26)
Friday, April 24
