Griffin Merritt cites adversity as biggest change from last year's team

Tennessee baseball is having a far less successful and dominant season than it did a year ago as the undisputed top dogs of the sport for most of the spring. Nonetheless, this year’s group has a chance to do what the 2022 group could not: advance to the College World Series. Last year, the Vols dipped out on their own home field in the Super Regional round in a massive letdown. But ahead of another Super Regional round, one newcomer is certain this team is built to withstand the postseason a little better than the ’23 squad.

Tennessee senior and Cincinnati transfer Griffin Merritt was asked this week what he believes is the big difference between this team and last year’s team, especially when it comes to the postseason. He answered:

“Yeah, I wasn’t here last year, so I don’t have that like exact personal story with that. But, you know, from what I’ve heard, it’s just, you know, this team has faced a little more adversity than last year. You know, hats off and respect to all those people that had that special season here last year.”

Respectfully, Merritt is still taking the ’23 group because they’ve been through the up’s and downs.

“But I think that maybe this team might be better prepared because of some of the struggles it’s went through throughout this season. Those come back into play when it comes, you know, into postseason when the stress gets a little higher and the stakes get a little higher, you know.

“And at the same time, no where near the No. 1 team in the country, consensus No. 1 as they were last year and everything. You got a lot to lose and sometimes, you know, it’s hard to play like that when you know you have a lot to lose, versus, you know, others teams have kind of been built up and tore down, built better, been back up and tore back down.”

Per the Volunteer veteran, the team has come together in the postseason to play connected, selfless baseball.

“You know, we’re just out there playing for each other and trying to win. I feel like this team doesn’t have much pressure and, you know, that’s a good thing to have in the postseason.”

Now they head down to Hattiesburg for a few games to decide a spot in the CWS against Southern Miss.