_Updating Tennessee in college baseball polls following 11-0 start under Tony Vitello_
The Tennessee Volunteers baseball team is off to a scorching hot start under head coach Tony Vitello, and the latest college baseball polls reflect their impressive performance.
After beginning the season with an 11-0 record, the Vols have vaulted into the top 10 of the major college baseball polls. Tennessee is now ranked No. 6 in the D1Baseball Top 25, No. 7 in the Baseball America Top 25, and No. 8 in the USA Today Coaches’ Poll.
The Vols’ perfect start to the season has been fueled by a combination of strong pitching, timely hitting, and solid defense. Tennessee’s pitching staff has been particularly impressive, with a team ERA of 2.23 and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 3.5.
“Our pitching staff has been outstanding, and it’s been a total team effort,” said Vitello. “We’ve had guys step up and make big pitches when it matters most. Our offense has also been doing a great job of manufacturing runs and capitalizing on opportunities.”
Tennessee’s offense has been led by a trio of hitters who are all batting over .350. Junior infielder Max Ferguson is hitting .373 with two home runs and 12 RBIs, while sophomore outfielder Drew Gilbert is batting .367 with three home runs and 11 RBIs. Senior catcher Connor Pavolony is hitting .356 with two home runs and 10 RBIs.
The Vols’ hot start has also been fueled by their success on the road. Tennessee has won all five of its road games this season, including a sweep of the Indiana State Sycamores last weekend.
“We’ve been playing well on the road, and that’s a testament to our team’s toughness and resilience,” said Vitello. “We’ve been able to adapt to different environments and come out on top. That’s going to be important for us as we move forward in the season.”
Tennessee’s next challenge comes in the form of a home series against the Wright State Raiders. The Vols will host Wright State for a three-game series beginning on Friday.
“We’re excited to get back home and play in front of our fans,” said Vitello. “Wright State is a tough opponent, but we’re confident in our abilities and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
With their 11-0 start, the Vols have already surpassed their win total from last season. Tennessee finished the 2022 season with a 50-16 record and advanced to the NCAA Super Regionals.
The Vols’ hot start has also generated buzz about their potential to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. Tennessee has not appeared in the College World Series since 2005, but with their talented roster and strong start, they are definitely a team to watch this season.
“We’re not getting ahead of ourselves, but we’re definitely excited about where we’re at right now,” said Vitello. “We know that there’s still a lot of baseball left to be played, but we’re confident in our abilities and we’re looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead.”
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