The first-ranked Tennessee Volunteers are ruling the college baseball world.
The Volunteers have a record of 27-1 and are on a 19-game winning streak. Tennessee is undefeated in the SEC. In conference, the Vols have swept South Carolina, Ole Miss and most recently Vanderbilt. Their only loss has been against then first-ranked Texas in early March.
This is the first time in Tennessee baseball history that the program is ranked first per espn.com.
Tennessee Talent
In addition to the high level of talent on the roster, Head Coach Tony Vitello has turned around the program for good. He has been leading this squad since 2018. One of his most recent accomplishments is coaching the Volunteers to the 2021 College World Series. According to usports.com, this was their first appearance since 2005.
Future is Looking Bright
Freshman Pitcher Drew Beam was named NCBWA Pitcher of the month.
The accolades continue to roll in for @dsbeam11!
📰 https://t.co/KC39TEHHiA#GBO // #Vols pic.twitter.com/bj3oEVKujC
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) April 5, 2022
On April 4, Beam was named SEC Pitcher and Freshmen of the Week. In addition, this award followed his dominant outing on the mound against Vanderbilt.
A performance so good, he won two @SEC awards!
@dsbeam11 continues to take the league by storm.#GBO // #Vols pic.twitter.com/EofJDMZUyO
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) April 4, 2022
Victories for the Vols
The Volunteers are led on the mound by left-hand pitcher Redmond Walsh, who is a graduate student, recording an earn run average of 0.69. Leading the team with six wins are right-hand pitcher Chase Burns and left-hand pitcher Kirby Connell.
In the batter’s box, senior Trey Lipscomb leads the team in runs scored, hits, runs batted in, triples and home runs. Here is a breakdown of his stats per utsports.com:
- Runs scored: 32
- Hits: 39
- Triples: 3
- Homeruns: 11
- At Bats: 103
In addition, Drew Gilbert is leading the team in batting average at .452.
The Vols are preparing to take on Lipscomb tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Tennessee is expected to start Tennessee native right-hand pitcher, Blade Tidwell.