Former Tennessee third baseman Zane Denton announces new commitment out of transfer portal
Former Tennessee third baseman Zane Denton announced his commitment to Austin Peay on Saturday afternoon, a couple days removed from entering the NCAA Transfer Portal.
Denton, a Brentwood, Tenn., native, took a year off from baseball this season. He started his collegiate career at Alabama before transferring to Tennessee for the 2023 season. He has one year of eligibility remaining.
In his one year with the Vols, he led the team with 59 RBI, hitting .269 with 16 home runs and 43 runs scored.
Let’s get to work🤝 @GovsBSB pic.twitter.com/uVHLdhVObM
— Zane Denton (@ZaneDenton3) June 8, 2024
Zane Denton helped Vols advance with huge postseason hits in 2023
Denton hit two home runs in the Clemson Regional last year, including a three-run homer with Tennessee down to its final strike in the ninth inning.
He had another three-run home run in Game 3 of the Super Regional at Southern Miss, helping the Vols win 5-0 and advance to the College World Series in Omaha.
Denton went undrafted last summer and initially announced he would return to Tennessee for his COVID year of eligibility.
The former Alabama third baseman transferred and spent the 2023 campaign with the College World Series bound Vols. He went undrafted last summer and initially announced he’d be returning to Knoxville to play his COVID year of eligibility.
Tennessee coach Tony Vitello then said during fall practice that Denton would be away from the team.
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“This year, the first couple of scrimmages, I know he won’t be a part of,” Vitello said in late September. “He’s handling somethings that he has to. But again, like last year, he’s been able to manage a lot in his life – on and off the field and done very well at it.
“I think the fact that he’s in a supportive environment here has kind of helped him progress the way that he has.”
Tennessee looking for second straight trip to College World Series
Denton had pair of hits and scored a run against Stanford in a College World Series elimination victory.
He played three seasons at Alabama before entering the transfer portal and earned a spot on the Southeastern Conference All-Defensive Team squad for his work at third base during the 2021 campaign. He also led the Crimson Tide with a .308 batting average two years ago.
Denton was the second Tennessee player to enter the transfer portal, joining left-handed pitcher Wyatt Evans. The 2024 cycle officially opened on Monday, June 3 and will remain open for 30 days through July 2.
The Vols on Friday beat Evansville 11-6 to start the Knoxville Super Regional and entered Saturday’s Game 2 one win away from advancing to Omaha for the second straight season and third time in four years.
