Tennessee baseball is the team that represents the University of Tennessee in college baseball. It plays in the Southeastern Conference and is a member of the NCAA Division I. This team competes against teams from across the country. They compete in the Eastern division. Below is information about the Tennessee baseball team, including its schedule, record, bullpen, and more.
Tennessee baseball vs. Campbell
Tennessee baseball is back in action Sunday in its NCAA Tournament Knoxville Regional game against Campbell University. The winner of that game advances to play No. 1 Tennessee. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. Eastern and will be broadcast live on the SEC Network. Tennessee is currently 54-7.
The Vols were in a tough spot early on, but a late rally turned the tide. They scored four runs in the fifth inning, including a three-run home run by Drew Gilbert. Otherwise, Tennessee would have been in a difficult position if it had lost. A loss to Campbell would have had serious ramifications.
Tennessee took a 6-4 lead in the top of the fifth inning. Drew Gilbert hit a three-run home run with two outs in the inning. Later, Jorel Ortega singled to left field and advanced to third. Jorel Ortega then hit a swinging bunt that brought him home.
Tennessee baseball’s record
The Tennessee baseball team is close to breaking a record for the school. The Vols are 56-7 overall and have already won more games at home than Notre Dame (52). The Vols opened their season at home on Feb. 18, whereas the Fighting Irish didn’t play their first home game until March.
The Vols are the highest-ranked team in the college baseball poll, and have been consistently dominant against midmajor and Power 5 competition. The Vols have already topped Iona 56-1 in 18 innings, outscored #12 Auburn 17-4, and then-#1 Ole Miss 12-1 in 12 innings.
The Volunteers’ pitching staff has a combined WHIP of 0.98. Only one team has a lower WHIP, and their pitching staff has struck out fewer batters than Tennessee. Their pitching staff also has a low walk rate, averaging 2.5 per game. Additionally, the Vols have the lowest team earned-run average in the COVID, at 2.35.
Tennessee baseball’s schedule
The SEC announced its baseball schedule on Wednesday, and Tennessee will open the season against LSU. The Vols finished 57-9 last year, tying a school record for wins in their fifth season under head coach Joe Vitello. The Vols will also play Arkansas on the road during the regular season.
The Vols will have 37 home games and 15 road games during the 2022 season. They will also have four neutral-site series. The schedule for the 2023 season has yet to be released, but Tennessee has a number of notable matchups scheduled. The Vols will face 19 NCAA Regional opponents and three College World Series teams. They will also play nine straight home games.
In addition to these regular-season games, the Vols will play a number of road series. The LSU road series will be played on March 31-April 2. Other road series include games against Missouri and South Carolina. In the SEC Tournament, Tennessee will play Auburn in May 18-20. The championship game is scheduled for May 28.
Tennessee baseball’s bullpen
Tennessee’s bullpen faces a lot of questions heading into this season. Three of the four-weekend starters from last season are back, but four of the other starters have graduated or signed professional contracts. The three starters who return are Chase Dollander, Chase Burns, and Drew Beam. Another x-factor on the pitching staff is Vanderbilt transfer RHP Ethan Smith. He could hear back from Tennessee as early as this week.
The offense is one of the top-ranked in the country, and the Tennessee baseball bullpen has shown that it is capable of handling a variety of situations. A few freshmen can start as starters, and the team also has several freshman players who can come off the bench to help out the bullpen. The team’s bullpen has also shown its depth, as weekend starters have consistently thrown six or seven innings, so if one starter is struggling, there are plenty of options.
Dollander has been impressive so far this season and will be a solid addition to the starting rotation for the Volunteers. Dollander has the stuff to succeed in the starting rotation, and he has a 3.14 FIP and a 0.822 WHIP. The team’s weekend starters have all ranked inside the top 30 in WHIP. Dollander features smooth arm action, a 96-mph two-seamer, and a late-biting slider.
