Hunter Ensley, Drew Beam share what they take away from previous experience in Omaha

For the second consecutive season, Tennessee is in the College World Series. Last year saw the Vols play in three games before being eliminated by the eventual national champions, LSU. A tough experience for those a part of the 2023 team but one they can take forward and apply in the coming weeks.

Hunter Ensley and Drew Beam were asked what they took away from the experience last year, with the outfielder starting. He wants to make sure his Tennessee teammates find a way to slow down the game when the lights eventually get bright. Things can move quickly when getting excited to play in the College World Series but ultimately, it’s just a baseball game.

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“I think a good message to relay on the guys is trying to slow everything down,” Ensley said. “I know sometimes you get out on the field and get under the lights, you want to go a little too fast or do too much. So, I don’t know, I think my message to everyone would be just to slow everything down and focus on what’s actually going on in the game rather than, you know, trying to have a huge moment.”

Tennessee did not have the best offensive output in 2023, scoring just nine runs in those three games. LSU shut them out in an elimination game as well, sending the Vols back to Knoxville in a fashion they would like to forget. The hope is for better results this go-round.

From a pitcher’s perspective, Drew Beam gave similar advice and piggybacked off Ensley’s comments. People taking the mound have been doing so since they were kids and done a great job until this point. Nothing is different despite playing in Omaha at the College World Series.

“There’s a lot of guys on this team that have been here before, so relaying to the guys who haven’t been here that it’s still 60 feet, 6 inches,” Beam said. “It’s still throwing it over the plate. It’s still doing the same thing we’ve been doing all year long, just a different venue.”

Tennessee will get things started on Friday night, facing off against Florida State. First pitch from Charles Schwab Field will take place at 6 p.m. CT, setting up an exciting matchup. Ensley and Beam will be in the locker room before the game, keeping things light.