WATCH: Tennessee pitcher Ben Joyce shows off slider to compliment fastball
Tennessee baseball pitcher Ben Joyce has become the talk of college baseball with his record-setting fastball, but he showed off Saturday that he can trick hitters with the slider too. During an appearance against Georgia, the junior threw a pair of pitches which made the hitters look foolish.
While the Volunteers’ offense draws headlines, the pitching staff has played a huge role in the climb to No. 1 overall in the rankings. Along with quality starts, the diverse bullpen provides many options for manager Tony Vitello.
No option on the mound seems better than Ben Joyce this season, as he burns batters with a 105-mph fastball before delivering a slider with enough movement to finish in the opposite box.
Tennessee currently leads 2-0 after three innings after five strikeouts and one hit on 51 pitches from Joyce in the start. The Volunteers wrap up the regular season this weekend with their eyes set on the SEC Tournament and NCAA Tournament in the coming weeks.
Ben Joyce sets college record
Ben Joyce has been throwing heat all season for the Tennessee Volunteers but this month he reached a level college baseball had never seen.
During the seventh inning against the Auburn Tigers, Joyce reached 105.5 miles per hour on the radar gun, good enough for the fastest pitch in college baseball history. It was called a ball, being just a bit outside, but was still under good control.
This was not a one-off pitch where Joyce set an NCAA record either. He threw high-velocity fastballs all afternoon, with three being clocked at 105 mph or faster. Additionally, 15 were at 104 mph or better and 28 were at least 103 mph. Only five of his fastballs were slower than 103 mph. Quite the impressive accomplishment.
Joyce threw four innings for the Volunteers in the record-setting performance, earning the win as well. Of the 12 batters he faced, only one was able to pick up a hit while six fell victim to a strikeout. Add in no walks and it was nearly a flawless day on the mound for Joyce.
Tennessee ended up taking the game 5-3 and taking the series against Auburn. Maintaining their spot atop the SEC