Tennessee baseball is on a mission to turn its luck around, especially as it faces a challenging weekend ahead. The team's fortunes took a hit in their series loss against Kent State, where power-hitting MLB prospect Blaine Brown went hitless, and only four other starters managed to get one hit each. The issues didn't end there; Tennessee batters struggled to secure big hits with runners on base, and pitching was plagued by free bases. However, there was a positive shift in their 8-3 victory over Bellarmine on Tuesday, signaling a promising trend for the team as it prepares for its toughest challenges of the season. Head coach Josh Elander attributes this to situational execution, a key focus of their weekly practice. He expresses confidence in his offensive group, highlighting their recent improvement in stringing together hits, which was evident in the game against Bellarmine. Despite going 3-for-19 with runners on against the Knights, Tennessee made their big hits count, with two of them yielding five runs, including a pair of homers from Brown and Marin. This performance bodes well for the team's upcoming Amegy College Baseball Series, where they'll face some of the nation's top talent. Jay Abernathy's three hits in the leadoff spot are a positive sign for his confidence and the team's overall performance. Additionally, the highly-touted freshman arm Cam Appenzeller is expected to contribute to the pitching efforts, having picked up a win over Bellarmine after one inning of clean work. With his recent performance and rest, Appenzeller is poised to make a significant impact as Tennessee heads to Arlington, Texas. The team's ability to adjust and adapt, as noted by Elander, will be crucial in their upcoming challenges, especially as they prepare for SEC play.
