Dean Curley named SEC Freshman of the Week
Tennessee baseball has reeled in another weekly honor from the Southeastern Conference – its third of the young season – as Dean Curley has been named the SEC Freshman of the Week.
The newcomer made history Tuesday night during a 15-5 thrashing of Kansas State at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Curley logged a 3-for-5 day at the plate with three home runs and nine runs batted in. The 9-RBI total is the most by a freshman in Tennessee history and is one shy of the program record for a single game. The shortstop also tied five other former Vols who have hit three home runs in a single contest. Nobody has ever launched four long balls in a single game.
Curley came close, however, as his flyball in the ninth inning dies on the warning track in right field with the wind blowing in. The would-be solo shot would have meant Curley hit for the home run cycle as his previous homers came in the two-run, three-run and grand slam variety.
Kind of a no brainer this week 😂#GBO
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) March 11, 2024
“As he gets older, he will like what he did tonight, but I think he’ll appreciate the in more,” skipper Tony Vitello said of Curley’s performance in after the win over Kansas State. “It was a good win. I think we were fortunate enough to play well.”
In the four games that followed throughout the week (Southern Indiana and three against Illinois), the freshman picked up three more hits and drove in two more runs. In total, Curley logged a 6-for-18 week at the plate with three home runs, 11 RBI and five runs scored.
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In 12 games this season (he missed the first four games of the season with injury + one more), Curley ranks second on the team behind third baseman Billy Amick with six home runs and 19 RBI but is easily leading the squad with a .917 slugging percentage.
“He’s just strong,” Vitello said of Curley’s swing. “There’s not a lot of extra rift-raft going on there. That’s something we spend a lot of time doing. Guys like Jared Dickey and KT [Kavares Tears] have worked really hard in these cages -especially with coach [Josh] Elander, cutting out the fat when they first get here – or the extra movements in their swing. Since we’ve inherited him, Dean has always had a very compact, repeatable – a very polished swing.”
Tennessee weekly honors from the SEC
RHP AJ Causey (Feb 10) – SEC Pitcher of the Week
3B Billy Amick (March 4) – SEC Player of the Week
SS Dean Curley (Mach 11) – SEC Freshman of the Week
