Tennessee freshmen impress during opening weekend for Vols

Tennessee put on a show opening weekend as the defending national champs made quick and easy work of Hofstra for the series-sweep.

From Liam Doyle’s gem in game one to grand slams blasted in both games two and three of the series – there were plenty of storylines to go around. One of the biggest takeaways from opening weekend, however, was the play of the Tennessee freshmen.  

Manny Marin made two starts at third base. Chris Newstrom tallied a pair of starts in left field. Levi Clark was the designated hitter on Saturday. Jay Abernathy, though he didn’t start, made appearances in all three games. The ‘core four’ from the freshman class made their presence felt immediately to Tennessee fans.

“I feel like we put those kids in a bunch of different situations at the plate, and they’ve seen a bunch of good competitions,” coach Tony Vitello said of the freshmen over the weekend. So, nothing should be a huge shock to them on game day. That doesn’t mean the competition won’t be stiff and in certain situations, but I think that helps.”

Newstrom, who finished preseason red hot, drove in three on a double on Saturday. Clark belted a three-run homer in that game as well and finished a triple shy of the cycle. Marin tallied two singles on Opening Day, scored two runs on Saturday and tallied a hit off the bench in Sunday’s affair. Abernathy recorded a pair of hits and a pair of runs over the weekend and started a nice double play to end the opener.

“I don’t know what clicked for him over the break, but he came back with a different attitude and how he was attacking things much more comfortably around the coaches and his teammates,” Vitello said of Newstrom. “I think he’s kind of taken to the outfield spot, too. I think it comes naturally to him. He’s still going to get innings in the infield and we’ll see if the catching thing ever re-occurs with him. But I think he’s really in a comfort zone out there in the outfield.”

Clark made a name for himself with Tennessee fans back in the fall when he took Nate Snead deep in Chattanooga during one of the Fall World Series games. The rookie blasted his first collegiate home run on Saturday, a three-run shot, and also made an appearance behind the plate late in Sunday’s blowout victory.  

“That’s Levi [Clark]. Levi didn’t even hit that ball hard. I mean, for him. He just kind of muscled it over the fence,” Vitello reflected. “He’s super calm. I didn’t really realize it until he was here – but we knew he was a good player and strong. He’s got a little killer instinct. So, just that calming presence on plays in particular, at-bats in particular. But really it was kind of there the whole day.”

With Andrew Ficher still working back from minor shoulder tweak in preseason, the transfer has begun his Tennessee career at first base. That’s opened the door for someone else to play at the hot corner and Marin was the guy for much of the weekend.

“The other guy over there [Manny Marin] just played better than everybody since he came back,” Vitello answered when asked about the move following Opening Day.

Four Tennessee freshmen players made their debuts over the weekend. All were position players and all shined. With Tuesday’s midweek coming up today, the first of the campaign, expect some freshmen hurlers to make their debuts on the mound. Pitchers like Nic Abraham, Tate Strickland, Brayden Krenzel and Aidan Hayse could be next up.

“I mean, not really surprised. These guys are, you know … they’re ready to play when they come in, and hats off to V [Tony Vitello] for getting these guys on campus.” veteran Huntley Ensley said of the freshmen over the weekend. “You know, they’re big time recruits out of high school and they’re mature baseball players before they even get to campus.

“So, no, definitely not surprised.”

The Vols have an embarrassment of riches with this freshmen class and it’s going to be fun to watch their roles evolve as the season progresses. Today against UNC Asheville is another chance to see what they’ve got.