Tony Vitello provides injury update on Hunter Ensley after crash into outfield wall
Tennessee baseball coach Tony Vitello offered an update on center fielder Hunter Ensley after a hard crash into the outfield wall in the second inning of a College World Series game vs. North Carolina. Ensley made a spectacular grab as his momentum carried him into the wall, resulting in a loud thud.
He was later replaced in the game by Colby Backus to begin the fifth inning, causing some concern about his status. Vitello revealed during an in-game interview in the bottom of the fifth that Ensley was “a little wobbly” following the collision, which was the reason for the substitution.
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“He was just wobbly and also banged his leg into the wall,” Vitello said. “He said he didn’t even really realize it until the next ball was hit to him. Then I guess after the adrenaline calmed down kind of realized. He was a little wobbly and just better safe than sorry we feel.”
It remains to be seen whether Hunter Ensley will be cleared to return to the game, but the update from Vitello certainly puts his status up in the air. He has a 98.4% fielding percentage so far this season and had two outs to his name prior to exiting.
Tennessee held a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning with starting pitcher Drew Beam leading the way. He pitched a full five innings before finally giving up his first run of the game on a home run to Vance Honeycutt in the top of the sixth.
Beam was eventually replaced by Kirby Connell after throwing seven strikeouts and allowing four hits. Vitello offered his assessment on his starting pitcher moments at the time of the interview.
“He’s pitching with conviction, that’s for certain,” he said. “He’s had to pitch out of a couple of jams, so the composure is usually a component he has and he’s had to utilize it against this lineup. Fortunately, our defense has helped him out a little bit too.”
Tennessee would go on to get out of the inning with just that one run allowed and also add one of its own to increase the lead to 5-1 entering the top of the seventh. That is currently the score with the Tar Heels coming up to bat.
Both Tennessee and North Carolina won their previous game in the College World Series, so neither will be eliminated with a loss.