The college baseball season is officially underway and the reigning National Champs picked up right where they left off.
College players already deal with the disadvantage of missing out on a “Spring Training” per say, but Tony V always seems to have his men ready for war come Opening Day.
The Volunteers always play exceptionally well in the opening month of games. Since Covid, they have an outstanding record of 29-5 in the month of February. These games do mostly consist of mid-major matchups, however, still very impressive to come out hot, in the freezing cold.
That narrative didn’t change this past weekend for Tony V and the Vols as they completed the sweep of the Hofstra Pride. Although a three-game series, the two teams only completed 21 innings, due to the sheer dominance Tennessee had over the Pride all weekend. All three games were called after seven innings, in lieu of the mercy rule.
Ole Miss transfer Liam Doyle was handed the ball to start off the season for Tennessee. He did not disappoint.
The left hander dazzled in his first career start as a Volunteer, where he worked five frames without allowing a run and surrendering just one hit. Doyle was breezing through Hofstra’s lineup, one point striking out eight straight batters faced.
Senior center fielder Hunter Ensley opened the scoring for the squad with an RBI sacrifice groundout. The Vols never looked back.
The first homerun of the year, fittingly, came off the bat of Dean Curley.
The other Ole Miss star transfer and Manchester Middle School alumni, Andrew Fischer followed with one of his own two batters later. This was the first of many homers in a Tennessee uniform for “The Big Fish.”
After the game while speaking on the excitement surrounding and following Opening Day, Fischer had this to say, “It felt great to get out there on the field, it felt like waiting for Christmas as a little kid prior to that game. I could not sleep the entire night prior, just so excited”
The eagerness and hunger this team has translates in the box.
However, it was the pinch hitting Hunter High’s three run homerun that sealed the scoring for the Vols at 15 runs.
6 ‘5 right hander, Tanner Franklin relieved Doyle after five. Franklin, a Kennesaw State transfer, only had to get through two innings to close out the game in his Tennessee debut. He racked up a quick four punch-outs in those two frames of work.
Game two seemed like watching a repeat of Game 1. This Tennessee lineup seriously rakes. In early season matchups like this too, a roster like Tennessee’s, the manager can pick and choose who he wants in and can still be confident in securing a win.
Hofstra was really feeling the cold or something this day because they were noticeably sloppy. Making stupid mistakes, some that may not have been made if it were the middle of season.
For Tennessee, Hunter Ensley, Levi Clark, and Blake Grimmer all launched their first dingers of the season.
Although the lineup only combined for 11 hits (not like that is a small amount), they plated 18 runners. This is what I meant by saying Hofstra had a sloppy game, allowing 18 runs on 11 hits is definitely something they will take up in the clubhouse.
On the bright side for Hofstra, they got their first run of the season, on a Dom Camera solo shot.
Surprisingly, the Pride carried this right into Sunday. They jumped out to an early lead, thanks to a first inning sac fly.
To no one’s surprise, the Vols punched right back and they did more than just punching back, in fact, they put the nail in the coffin within the first two innings. With a four run first and an explosive eight run second inning to follow.
Again, Hofstra fundamentally struggled, and it had major consequences. The constant pressure from this Tennessee lineup was no joke. At one point in that second inning during a pitching change, the announcers were even noting how it seemed Hofstra pitchers were growing more and more scared to throw pitches in the zone, they knew it would be launched. The problem now was they kept walking batters, totalling up to 13 free passes given up on the day. That is not the recipe for success.
The Vols closed out game three with a final score of 13-1. This
“Our team looked great all weekend, we have a strong core and a bunch of young talent. I’m excited to see what is in store for this group of guys, truly a special group. As far as relief goes, I was pretty confident in what our team has to offer,” said Fischer when asked about the team’s weekend performance.
Overall, a very successful first weekend for Tony V and crew. Their next matchup will take place back at Lindsey Nelson Stadium against Samford.
“We are a tough group and I expect many more series wins from our team.”
