The 2021 Tennessee Volunteers baseball team represented the University of Tennessee during the 2021 NCAA Division I baseball season . Tennessee competed in the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The Volunteers play their home games at Lindsey Nelson Stadium . Coach Tony Vitello leadi the Volunteers in his 4th season with the program.
Tennessee reached the College World Series for the first time since 2005, but were eliminated in two games. The Volunteers finished the season with a 50–18 record.
Previous season [ ] The 2020 Tennessee Volunteers baseball team notched a 15–2 (0–0) regular season record. The season prematurely ended on March 12, 2020, due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic .
Personnel [ ] Roster [ ]
2021 Tennessee Volunteers roster[2]
Pitchers
11 - Will Heflin - Senior
15 - Shawn Scott - Freshman
16 - Camden Sewell - Junior
20 - Connor Housley - Sophomore
25 - Christian Delashmit - Sophomore
26 - Jason Rackers - Junior
28 - Elijah Pleasants - Junior
29 - Blade Tidwell - Freshman
31 - Jackson Leath - Senior
32 - Sean Hunley - Senior
33 - Mark McLaughlin - Sophomore
34 - Hollis Fanning - Freshman
35 - Kirby Connell - Sophomore
36 - Chad Dallas - Junior
41 - Will Mabrey - Sophomore
42 - Jake Fitzgibbons - Freshman
44 - Charez Butcher - Freshman
46 - Redmond Walsh -
47 - Cade Elliott - Freshman
48 - Zander Sechrist - Freshman
49 - Colin Ahearn - Freshman
50 - Ben Joyce - Sophomore
52 - Drew Patterson - Freshman
Catchers
14 - Charlie Taylor - Freshman
17 - Connor Pavolonyr - Junior
19 - Jackson Greer - Senior Infielders
4 - Liam Spence - Senior
5 - Logan Steenstra - Sophomore
7 - Jake Rucker - Junior
9 - Jorel Ortega - Sophomore
13 - Cortland Lawson - Sophomore
40 - Luc Lipcius -
51 - Austen Jaslove - Freshman
Outfielders
6 - Evan Russell - Senior
8 - Christian Scott - Junior
12 - Kyle Booker - Freshman
18 - Hunter Ensley - Freshman
27 - Jordan Beck - Sophomore
43 - Reed Metz - Freshman
45 - Jared Dickey - Freshman Utility
1 - Drew Gilbert (OF/LHP) - Sophomore
2 - Max Ferguson (INF/OF) - Junior
10 - Pete Derkay (UTL) - Senior
21 - Trey Lipscomb (INF/OF) - Junior
30 - Ethan Payne (INF/OF) - Sophomore
37 - Brock Lucas (INF/RHP) - Freshman
Coaching Staff [ ]
2021 Tennessee Volunteers coaching staff[2]
Name
Position
Seasons at
Tony Vitello Head Coach
4
Frank Anderson Assistant Coach/Pitching
4
Josh Elander
Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
4
Ross Kivett
Volunteer Assistant Coach/Camp Coordinator
4
Richard Jackson
Student Assistant Pitching Coach
2
Quentin Eberhardt
Director of Baseball Sports Performance
4
Game log [ ]
2021 Tennessee Volunteers Baseball Game Log (50–18)
Legend: = Win = Loss = Canceled Bold = Tennessee team member
Regular Season (42–14)
February (7–2)
Date
Time (ET)
TV
Opponent
Rank
Stadium
Score
Win
Loss
Save
Attendance
Overall
SEC
Sources
February 19
7:00 p.m.
ESPN+ at Georgia Southern *
No. 19
J. I. Clements Stadium Statesboro, Georgia W 5–3Dallas (1–0) Jackson (0–1)
Walsh (1) 704
1–0
—
Box Score Recap
February 20
2:00 p.m.
ESPN+
at Georgia Southern*
No. 19
J. I. Clements Stadium
W 5–3Walsh (1–0) Harris (0–1)
—
767
2–0
—
Box Score Recap
February 21
1:00 p.m.
ESPN+
at Georgia Southern*
No. 19
J. I. Clements Stadium
W 7–3 (12) Hunley (1–0) Paden (0–1)
—
709
3–0
—
Box Score Recap
February 23
4:30 p.m.
WatchESPN Arkansas–Pine Bluff *No. 18
Lindsey Nelson Stadium Knoxville, Tennessee W 21–1Heflin (1–0) Barker (0–1)
—
918
4–0
—
Box Score Recap
February 24
4:30 p.m.
WatchESPN
Arkansas–Pine Bluff*
No. 18
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
W 14–6Gilbert (1–0) Jones (0–1)
—
914
5–0
—
Box Score Recap
February 26
4:30 p.m.
WatchESPN
Indiana State *No. 18
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
W 4–3Hunley (2–0) Buraconak (0–1)
—
852
6–0
—
Box Score Recap
February 27
12:30 p.m.
WatchESPN
Indiana State*
No. 18
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
L 1–3Cline (1–0)
Tidwell (0–1) Grauer (1)
927
6–1
—
Box Score Recap
February 27
4:15 p.m.
WatchESPN
Indiana State*
No. 18
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
L 5–7Fenlong (1–0)
Pleasants (0–1) Grauer (2)
927
6–2
—
Box Score Recap
February 28
1:00 p.m.
WatchESPN
Indiana State*
No. 18
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
W 6–5 (11) Walsh (2–0) Hurth (0–1)
—
903
7–2
—
Box Score Recap
March (15–2)
Date
Time (ET)
TV
Opponent
Rank
Stadium
Score
Win
Loss
Save
Attendance
Overall
SEC
Sources
March 3
5:30 p.m.
ESPN+
at Austin Peay *
No. 18
Raymond C. Hand Park Clarksville, Tennessee W 5–3Pleasants (1–1) Magrann (0–1)
—
537
8–2
—
Box Score Recap
March 3
6:00 p.m.
WatchESPN
Dayton *No. 18
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
Cancelled (COVID-19 protocols) —
Recap
March 5
5:30 p.m.
SECN+ Georgia State *No. 18
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
W 6–1Heflin (2–0) Watson (1–1)
—
958
9–2
—
Box Score Recap
March 6
3:00 p.m.
SECN+
Georgia State*
No. 18
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
W 5–1Tidwell (1–1) Jones (0–1)
Walsh (2) 1,025
10–2
—
Box Score Recap
March 7
1:00 p.m.
SECN+
Georgia State*
No. 18
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
W 7–0Pleasants (2–1) Treadway (0–2)
—
988
11–2
—
Box Score Recap
March 9
4:00 p.m.
CUSA.tv at Charlotte *
No. 14
Hayes Stadium Charlotte, North Carolina L 0–9Marozas (1–0)
Heflin (2–1) —
145
11–3
—
Box Score Recap
March 12
6:30 p.m.
SECN+
UNCG *No. 14
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
W 6–2Dallas (2–0) Koehn (1–1)
Walsh (3) 876
12–3
—
Box Score Recap
March 13
6:00 p.m.
SECN+
UNCG*
No. 14
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
W 14–9McLaughlin (1–0) King (0–1)
—
1,007
13–3
—
Box Score Recap
March 14
1:00 p.m.
SECN+
UNCG*
No. 14
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
W 9–3Tidwell (2–1) Mathewson (2–2)
Hunley (1) 999
14–3
—
Box Score Recap
March 16
6:30 p.m.
WatchESPN
ETSU *No. 10
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
W 9–6 (10) Connell (1–0) Mercer (0–2)
—
1,019
15–3
—
Box Score Recap
March 19
6:00 p.m.
SECN+
at No. 7 Georgia Rivalry
No. 10
Foley Field Athens, Georgia W 11–6Dallas (3–0) Wagner (3–1)
—
664
16–3
1–0
Box Score Recap
March 20
1:00 p.m.
SECN+
at No. 7 GeorgiaRivalry
No. 10
Foley Field
L 4–5Harris (2–0)
Walsh (2–1) —
664
16–4
1–1
Box Score Recap
March 21
1:00 p.m.
SECN+
at No. 7 GeorgiaRivalry
No. 10
Foley Field
W 4–1Tidwell (3–1) Cannon (1–1)
Sewell (1) 664
17–4
2–1
Box Score Recap
March 23
6:30 p.m.
SECN+
Eastern Kentucky *No. 9
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
W 13–5Sechrist (1–0) Kelly (1–2)
—
1,055
18–4
—
Box Score Recap
March 26
6:30 p.m.
SECN+
No. 14 LSU
No. 9
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
W 3–1Dallas (4–0) Marceaux (2–2)
Hunley (2) 1,384
19–4
3–1
Box Score Recap
March 27
6:00 p.m.
SECN+
No. 14 LSU
No. 9
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
W 9–8 (11) Hunley (3–0) Fontenot (1–1)
—
1,067
20–4
4–1
Box Score Recap
March 28
1:00 p.m.
SECN+
No. 14 LSU
No. 9
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
W 3–2 (8) Hunley (4–0) Edwards (0–1)
—
1,238
21–4
5–1
Box Score Recap
March 30
6:30 p.m.
WatchESPN
Western Carolina *No. 6
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
W 9–2Fitzgibbons (1–0) Wallington (0–1)
—
1,218
22–4
—
Box Score Recap
April (11–7)
Date
Time (ET)
TV
Opponent
Rank
Stadium
Score
Win
Loss
Save
Attendance
Overall
SEC
Sources
April 2
7:00 p.m.
SECN+
at Alabama Rivalry
No. 6
Sewell–Thomas Stadium Tuscaloosa, Alabama L 4–7Ras (4–1)
Hunley (4–1) Lee (2)
1,764
22–5
5–2
Box Score Recap
April 3
7:00 p.m.
SECN
at AlabamaRivalry
No. 6
Sewell–Thomas Stadium
W 8–4 (11) Sewell (1–0) Hitt (1–2)
—
1,764
23–5
6–2
Box Score Recap
April 4
12:00 p.m.
SECN
at AlabamaRivalry
No. 6
Sewell–Thomas Stadium
W 9–8Tidwell (4–1) Shamblin (2–2)
Hunley (3) 1,764
24–5
7–2
Box Score Recap
April 6
6:30 p.m.
SECN+
Eastern Kentucky*
No. 6
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
W 10–1Rackers (1–0) Simpson (0–3)
—
1,367
25–5
—
Box Score Recap
April 9
6:30 p.m.
SECN+
No. 9 Florida Rivalry
No. 6
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
W 6–4Dallas (5–0) Scott (0–2)
Hunley (4) 1,477
26–5
8–2
Box Score Recap
April 10
7:00 p.m.
SECN
No. 9 FloridaRivalry
No. 6
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
W 5–4McLaughlin (2–0) Van Der Weide (0–1)
Connell (1) 1,430
27–5
9–2
Box Score Recap
April 11
1:00 p.m.
SECN+
No. 9 FloridaRivalry
No. 6
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
L 6–7Scott (1–2)
Hunley (4–2) —
1,537
27–6
9–3
Box Score Recap
April 13
5:00 p.m.
ESPN+
at Western Carolina*
No. 5
Hennon Stadium Cullowhee, North Carolina W 14–12Walsh (3–1) Bright (0–1)
Connell (2) 115
28–6
—
Box Score Recap
April 16
7:00 p.m.
ESPNU No. 2 Vanderbilt Rivalry
No. 5
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
L 0–5Rocker (8–1)
Dallas (5–1) —
2,390
28–7
9–4
Box Score Recap
April 17
4:00 p.m.
SECN
No. 2 VanderbiltRivalry
No. 5
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
W 8–4Hunley (5–2) Murphy (0–1)
—
2,263
29–7
10–4
Box Score Recap
April 18
1:00 p.m.
SECN+
No. 2 VanderbiltRivalry
No. 5
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
L 4–10McElvain (2–0)
Tidwell (4–2) —
2,450
29–8
10–5
Box Score Recap
April 20
6:00 p.m.
WatchESPN
Tennessee Tech *No. 6
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
W 3–2Hunley (6–2) Holley (1–1)
—
1,463
30–8
—
Box Score Recap
April 24
3:00 p.m.
SECN+
at Texas A&M
No. 6
Blue Bell Park College Station, Texas W 6–1Dallas (6–1) Saenz (5–5)
—
2,504
31–8
11–5
Box Score Recap
April 24
6:00 p.m.
SECN+
at Texas A&M
No. 6
Blue Bell Park
L 5–6Ornelas (3–0)
Connell (1–1) Jozwiak (6)
2,504
31–9
11–6
Box Score Recap
April 25
2:00 p.m.
SECN+
at Texas A&M
No. 6
Blue Bell Park
W 20–7Hunley (7–2) Menefee (2–2)
Walsh (4) 1,634
32–9
12–6
Box Score Recap
April 27
6:30 p.m.
SECN+
Lipscomb *No. 4
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
L 1–4Williams (1–2)
Rackers (1–1) Drabick (1)
1,703
32–10
—
Box Score Recap
April 29
7:30 p.m.
ESPNU
Kentucky Rivalry No. 4
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
W 14–4Dallas (7–1) Stupp (4–4)
—
1,511
33–10
13–6
Box Score Recap
April 30
6:30 p.m.
SECN+
KentuckyRivalry
No. 4
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
L 2–8Degen (2–0)
Heflin (2–2) —
2,400
33–11
13–7
Box Score Recap
May (10–3)
Date
Time (ET)
TV
Opponent
Rank
Stadium
Score
Win
Loss
Save
Attendance
Overall
SEC
Sources
May 1
1:00 p.m.
SECN+
KentuckyRivalry
No. 4
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
W 11–2Tidwell (5–2) Lee (4–4)
Walsh (5) 2,101
34–11
14–7
Box Score Recap
May 7
7:30 p.m.
SECN+
at Missouri
No. 5
Taylor Stadium Columbia, Missouri W 5–4Dallas (8–1) Kush (2–2)
Hunley (5) 600
35–11
15–7
Box Score Recap
May 8
4:00 p.m.
SECN
at Missouri
No. 5
Taylor Stadium
W 11–4Sewell (2–0) Ash (1–3)
—
600
36–11
16–7
Box Score Recap
May 9
2:00 p.m.
SECN+
at Missouri
No. 5
Taylor Stadium
W 10–2Tidwell (6–2) Hise (0–7)
—
600
37–11
17–7
Box Score Recap
May 11
6:30 p.m.
WatchESPN
Tennessee Tech*
No. 4
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
W 10–8Sechrist (2–0) Medrano (0–1)
—
1,735
38–11
—
Box Score Recap
May 14
6:30 p.m.
SECN+
No. 1 Arkansas
No. 4
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
L 5–6Kopps (8–0)
Hunley (7–3)
—
3,476
38–12
17–8
Box Score Recap
May 15
12:00 p.m.
SECN
No. 1 Arkansas
No. 4
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
W 8–7Walsh (4–1) Wiggins (3–1)
—
3,101
39–12
18–8
Box Score Recap
May 16
1:00 p.m.
SECN+
No. 1 Arkansas
No. 4
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
L 2–3Kopps (9–0)
Tidwell (6–3)
—
3,575
39–13
18–9
Box Score Recap
May 18
6:30 p.m.
WatchESPN
Belmont *No. 4
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
W 11–2Sewell (3–0) Jenkins (1–1)
—
2,578
40–13
—
Box Score Recap
May 20
7:30 p.m.
SECN+
at No. 21 South Carolina
No. 4
Founders Park Columbia, South Carolina W 10–4Dallas (9–1) Jordan (5–5)
Hunley (6) 4,015
41–13
19–9
Box Score Recap
May 21
4:00 p.m.
SECN+
at No. 21 South Carolina
No. 4
Founders Park
L 2–3Kerry (5–1)
Sewell (3–1) Bosnic (4)
5,712
41–14
19–10
Box Score Recap
May 22
2:00 p.m.
SECN+
at No. 21 South Carolina
No. 4
Founders Park
W 5–4Tidwell (7–3) Farr (3–6)
Hunley (7) 5,028
42–14
20–10
Box Score Recap
Post-Season (8–4)
SEC Tournament
Date
Time (ET)
TV
Opponent
Rank
Stadium
Score
Win
Loss
Save
Attendance
Overall
SECT
Sources
May 26
1:00 p.m.
SECN
vs. (10) AlabamaSecond Round
(2) No. 4
Hoover Metropolitan Stadium Hoover, Alabama L 2–3 (11) Lee (7–0)
Hunley (7–4) —
5,235
42–15
0–1
Box Score Recap
May 27
10:30 a.m.
SECN
vs. (3) No. 8 Mississippi State Losers Second Round
(2) No. 4
Hoover Metropolitan Stadium
W 12–2 (8) Dallas (10–1) MacLeod (5–4)
—
4,737
43–15
1–1
Box Score Recap
May 28
11:00 a.m.
SECN
vs. (10) AlabamaLosers Third Round
(2) No. 4
Hoover Metropolitan Stadium
W 11–0 (7) Tidwell (8–3) Green (3–2)
—
5,901
44–15
2–1
Box Score Recap
May 29
1:00 p.m.
SECN
vs. (6) No. 13 Florida Semifinals
(2) No. 4
Hoover Metropolitan Stadium
W 4–0Sewell (4–1) Sproat (2–1)
—
8,735
45–15
3–1
Box Score Recap
May 30
2:05 p.m.
ESPN2 vs. (1) No. 1 Arkansas Final
(2) No. 4
Hoover Metropolitan Stadium
L 2–7Costeiu (8–2)
Heflin (2–3) Kopps (10)
10,176
45–16
3–2
Box Score Recap
NCAA Knoxville Regional
Date
Time (ET)
TV
Opponent
Rank
Stadium
Score
Win
Loss
Save
Attendance
Overall
NCAAT
Sources
June 4
6:00 p.m.
ESPN3 (4) Wright State Regional First Round
(1) No. 2
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
W 9–8Walsh (5–1) Cline (8–2)
—
3,951
46–16
1–0
Box Score Recap
June 5
6:00 p.m.
ESPN3
(3) Liberty Regional Semifinal
(1) No. 2
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
W 9–3Tidwell (9–3) Cumming (4–3)
Sewell (2) 4,006
47–16
2–0
Box Score Recap
June 6
6:45 p.m.
ESPN3
(3) LibertyRegional Final – Game 1
(1) No. 2
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
W 3–1Heflin (3–3) Ellard (0–1)
Hunley (8) 3,941
48–16
3–0
Box Score Recap
NCAA Knoxville Super Regional
Date
Time (ET)
TV
Opponent
Rank
Stadium
Score
Win
Loss
Save
Attendance
Overall
NCAAT
Sources
June 12
7:00 p.m.
ESPN2 No. 21 LSUSuper Regional – Game 1
(3) No. 2
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
W 4–2Dallas (11–1) Coleman (3–2)
Hunley (9) 4,283
49–16
4–0
Box Score Recap
June 13
12:00 p.m.
ESPNU No. 21 LSUSuper Regional – Game 2
(3) No. 2
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
W 15–6Tidwell (10–3) Marceaux (7–7)
—
4,283
50–16
5–0
Box Score Recap
NCAA College World Series
Date
Time (ET)
TV
Opponent
Rank
Stadium
Score
Win
Loss
Save
Attendance
Overall
NCAAT
Sources
June 20
2:00 p.m.
ESPN2 vs. No. 9 Virginia College World Series – Game 3
(3) No. 2
TD Ameritrade Park Omaha Omaha, Nebraska L 0–6Abbott (9–6)
Dallas (11–2) Wyatt (1)
22,130
50–17
5–1
Box Score Recap
June 22
2:00 p.m.
ESPNU
vs. (2) No. 3 Texas College World Series – Game 7
(3) No. 8
TD Ameritrade Park Omaha
L 4–8Witt (5–0)
Hunley (7–5) —
19,150
50–18
5–2
Box Score Recap
*Denotes non–conference game • Schedule source • Rankings based on the teams' current ranking in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll • (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
Knoxville Regional [ ] See also: 2021 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament § Knoxville Super Regional
Knoxville Regional Teams
(1) Tennessee Volunteers
(2) Duke Blue Devils
(3) Liberty Flames
(4) Wright State Raiders
First Round
Semi-Finals
Finals
1
Tennessee
9
4
Wright State
8
1
Tennessee
9
3
Liberty
3
3
Liberty
11
2
Duke
6
1
Tennessee
3
–
3
Liberty
1
–
4
Wright State
6
2
Duke
14
2
Duke
4
3
Liberty
15
College World Series [ ]
2021 College World Series Teams
NC State Wolfpack
(9) Stanford Cardinal
(5) Arizona Wildcats
(4) Vanderbilt Commodores
Virginia Cavaliers
(3) Tennessee Volunteers
(7) Mississippi State Bulldogs
(2) Texas Longhorns
First round
Second round
Semifinals
Finals
NC State 10
9
Stanford
4
NC State
1
4
Vanderbilt
0
5
Arizona
6
4
Vanderbilt 7 12
NC State
1
–
4
Vanderbilt
3
–[A] 9
Stanford
14
5
Arizona
5
9
Stanford
5
4
Vanderbilt
6
4
Vanderbilt
8
2
0
7
Mississippi State
2
13
9
3
Tennessee
0
Virginia 6
Virginia
5
7
Mississippi State
6
7
Mississippi State 2
2
Texas
1
7
Mississippi State
5
4
2
Texas
8
3
3
Tennessee
4
2
Texas
8
2
Texas
6
Virginia
2
Rankings [ ]
Ranking movementsLegend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
Week
Poll
Pre
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Final
Coaches' [4] 16
16*
17
14
10
9
6
4
3
5
4
6
5
4
4
2
2
2
5
Baseball America [5] 19
17
22
23
18
16
10
7
5
7
7
7
5
5
5
3
3
3
8
Collegiate Baseball ^[6] 35
27
29
28
29
28
7
4
4
6
6
6
6
6
5
5
5
4
7
NCBWA †[7] 20
15
18
15
15
10
7
4
4
5
4
4
5
5
4
3
4
4
8
D1Baseball[8]
19
18
18
15
13
12
9
6
5
6
4
4
4
4
4
2
2
2
6
^ Collegiate Baseball ranks 40 teams in their preseason poll, but only ranks 30 teams weekly during the season.† NCBWA ranks 35 teams in their preseason poll, but only ranks 30 teams weekly during the season.* New poll was not released for this week so for comparison purposes the previous week's ranking is inserted in this week's slot.
Notes [ ]
^ Game declared no contest due to COVID-19 protocols with NC State. Vanderbilt advanced in the tournament.[3]
References [ ] External links [ ]
Venue Rivals People College World Series appearances in italics
Eastern Western
←
Southeastern Conference baseball season
→
