Tag: Kirby Connell

Kirby Connell announces return to Tennessee in 2024

Pitcher Kirby Connell announces return to Tennessee in 2024.

Senior pitcher Kirby Connell announced he will return to Tennessee in 2024.

“Let’s run it back,” Connell announced. “Excited to announce I’ll be returning to the University of Tennessee to play my last year and further my education by pursuing my master’s degree!”

The 5-foot-11, 210-pound Connell (6-1) appeared in 93 games from 2020-23 with the Vols, recording 99 strikeouts, two saves and a 2.76 ERA in 101.0 innings.

Connell came to Tennessee from Blacksburg High School in Blacksburg, South Carolina.

Connell and the Vols advanced to the College World Series in 2021 and 2023. Tennessee won the Southeastern Conference regular-season and tournament championships in 2022.

PHOTOS: Tony Vitello through the years

Six Vols to be honored on senior day

Six Vols and two student-workers will be honored on senior day ahead of Tuesday’s Tennessee-Belmont baseball game.

No. 19 Tennessee (35-17, 14-13 SEC) will host Belmont (23-29, 8-17 MVC) on Tuesday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

Rankings reflect the USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll.

First pitch between the Vols and Bruins is slated for 5 p.m. EDT and the in-state contest can be watched on SEC Network+. Andy Brock (PxP) and Caylan Arnold (analyst) will be on the call.

Tennessee leads the all-time series versus Belmont, 13-4. The Vols were victorious, 18-0, in the last meeting on May 17, 2022 at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

2023 Vols’ baseball: One interesting fact about every Tennessee player

Tuesday’s contest is the regular-season home finale for Tennessee.

Ahead of the Tennessee-Belmont game, six Vols and two student-workers will honored on senior day. A list of players and student-workers slated to be honored ahead of the Vols’ regular-season home finale are listed below.

2023 Tennessee baseball season preview: Kirby Connell

2023 Tennessee baseball season preview: Pitcher Kirby Connell

Opening day for Tennessee baseball is Friday.

The Vols will play in the 2023 MLB Desert Invitational in Arizona Feb. 17-19. The MLB Desert Invitational field will consist of Tennessee, Arizona, Fresno State, Grand Canyon, Michigan State and San Diego.

Tennessee’s 2023 baseball schedule

The 2023 season will be Tennessee’s sixth under head coach Tony Vitello. Vitello has compiled a 191–77 (71–49 SEC) record as the Vols’ head coach.

Tennessee won the Southeastern Conference East division for the second consecutive season, the league regular-season and tournament championships in 2022.

The Vols were a No. 1 overall national seed in the NCAA Tournament, winning the Knoxville regional and advancing to the Knoxville super regional.

Tennessee was ranked No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll for 10 consecutive weeks (March 28-May 30) during the 2022 season.

Ahead of the 2023 season, Vols Wire previews the upcoming campaign. Below are statistics for pitcher Kirby Connell entering the 2023 season.

Vols’ fall baseball preview: Kirby Connell

Tennessee Vols’ fall baseball preview: Pitcher Kirby Connell

Tennessee has opened fall practices at Lindsey Nelson Stadium under sixth-year head coach Tony Vitello.

The Vols will play two fall exhibition games.

Tennessee will host Wake Forest Oct. 7. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. EDT at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

The Vols will play Memphis Nov. 6 in Jackson, Tennessee (2 p.m. EDT).

Kirby Connell returns to Tennessee in 2023.

A rising senior left-handed pitcher, Connell (4-0) appeared in 30 games, all in relief for the Vols in 2022.

He posted a 1.66 ERA, .87 WHIP and recorded 36 strikeouts.

Connell pitched 38.0 innings and surrendered 27 hits, 11 runs, seven earned runs and six walks in 2022.

He was a member of the 2022 SEC Community Service Team and the 2022 Spring SEC Honor Roll.

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Kirby Connell recaps Tennessee’s win against Campbell

Kirby Connell recaps Tennessee’s win against Campbell.

No. 1 Tennessee (55-7) defeated Campbell, 12-7, Saturday in the NCAA Tournament Knoxville Regional at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

Kirby Connell (4-0) pitched four innings for Tennessee. He recorded four strikeouts, while surrendering two walks, three hits and two runs.

“We expected a dog fight,” Connell said. “We’ve noticed what they’ve done throughout the season, and you look at the box scores throughout the year, and they can swing it very well, and they play really good defense. We knew it was going to be a dog fight coming into it, and we had a lot of guys that stood out and it really helped us pull it out.”

Connell entered the contest with Campbell winning 4-0 in the third inning.

“I came in a tough situation,” Connell said. “I’ve done that a couple times and it’s been good, and I’ve been able to get out of it.

“Basically, all I do is just let my defense play, keep them off guard with all different kinds of pitches and just let my defense play, and let the offense do what they do.”

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