Tennessee Volunteers Baseball- #2 College Baseball countdown for 2023

Posted on February 13, 2023

Tennessee Volunteers are one of the best team in the country in college baseball for the 2023 baseball season. Head coach Tony Vitello is entering his sixth year in Knoxville with a record of 191-77. Last year they finished 57-9 and had the eleventh best recruiting class in America this off-season.

One of the best pitching staffs in college baseball is returning to Tennessee with RHP Chase Dollander returning. Many experts have him projected as the second pick on the MLB draft and in the Top Five a certainty. He was SEC Pitcher of the Year with a 10-0 record along with a 2.39 ERA, 108 K’s, and 13 BB. Coach Vitello also has RHP Chase Burns with an 8-2 record, 2.91 ERA, 103 K, 25 BB and was named first team All-American.

Also returning is second team All-American is right-handed pitcher Drew Beam with a 5-1 record,2.72 ERA, 62K, 21BB. Another second team All-American ins returning with RHP Camden Sewell who turned in a 7-1 record, 1 SV. 2.53 ERA and 42 strikeouts. LHP Kirby Connell is back with his 4-0 record, 1.66 ERA and 36 K’s.

Also returning is center fielder Jared Dickey and his .380 batting average along with seven home runs and 16 runs batted in. One key transfer is shortstop Maui Ahuna from Kansas where he was a third team All-American. Alabama transfer third baseman Zane Denton and outfielder Griffin Merritt from Cincinnati look to contribute in 2023.

The schedule for 2023 begins in various place in Arizona on Feb 17-19 with the opener against the Arizona Wildcats at Talking Stick Field in Phoenix area, followed by game facing Grand Canyon University in Phoenix at Brazell Field and then take on UC San Diego at Sloan Field in Mesa on the 19 of February.

Opening day at home for the Volunteers is set for February 21st at Lindsey Nelson Stadium in Knoxville against Alabama A&M.