Opening day for Tennessee baseball is slated for Feb. 17.
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.
Ahead of opening day, sixth-year Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello discussed the Vols’ pitching competition featuring three returning starters in Drew Beam, Chase Burns and Chase Dollander.
“I think this deal is a little different, because you got some guys that are a little more proven,” Vitello said of Tennessee’s pitching in 2023. “Blade (Tidwell) was sore at the beginning of last year. It just opened up the door for a lot of guys that, I don’t know you’d call them wildcards this time of year, maybe two weeks, a little closer to the season a year ago? Or, like I guess, we’re going to lean on these freshmen pretty good, and any coach, any sport, you’re going to have at least a cloud over your head or a bubble over your head, have different thoughts like which way is this going to go? How’s he going to handle pressure situations and things like that?
“I think for the bulk of the competition, we kind of know what we got. It’s just a matter of where do we think guys help the team most and then how are the guys going to capitalize on the opportunities we give them starting in Arizona, and then thereafter, and then the freshman, somebody is going to jump up. It may be a couple guys that jump up and grab important innings, but it’s an interesting class, it’s probably depth wise, is good of a class as I’ve been around, pitching wise. Also, I don’t know if you can call it covid at this point, but we’re blessed with some good arms, those freshmen are going to need to be patient and understand there’s a progression, a natural progression here — so we’ll see which couple two, three guys jump up and are able to grab some really vital innings for us.”
Former Vols’ assistant Gregg Wallis previews first season as Grand Canyon’s head coach
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