Tidwell pitched one inning and recorded two strikeouts. He surrendered one earned run and two hits.
He entered the contest in the sixth inning with Tennessee leading, 8-0.
Tennessee entered the matchup with Western Carolina ranked No. 1 in six polls, including the USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll.
The Vols will play at No. 5 Vanderbilt, Friday-Sunday, for its third Southeastern Conference series.
Tennessee is the sixth team to make it through the first two weeks of Southeastern Conference play unbeaten since the league went to a 30-game conference schedule in 1996.
Tidwell discussed his season debut following the game. His media availability can be watched below.
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