Rocky Top Insider podcast hosts Jack Foster and Ryan Schumpert are back at it for another episode of the Rocky Top Insider Press Pass Special Edition talking Tennessee Baseball.
The entire episode can be listened to below.
The 11th-ranked Vols are coming off a series loss at top-ranked LSU that saw Tennessee lose two winnable games before throttling the Tigers behind an offensive explosion in game three.
Jack and Ryan dive into the LSU series and share their biggest takeaways, specifically emphasizing how the starting pitching rotation continues to struggle, how the outfield defense continues to improve and how the bullpen keeps dominating.
While Tennessee does not have another opponent as deep as LSU remaining on the roster, the schedule does not let up in the month of April. Third-ranked Florida is coming to Knoxville for a Thursday-Saturday series this weekend, and the Vols’ pitching has their work cut out for them.
The Gators bring in a pair of hitters, Jac Caglianone and Josh Rivera, who are batting over .400 and have 18 and 11 home runs, respectively. Additionally, top-five 2023 MLB Draft prospect Wyatt Langford is still on the roster and is plenty dangerous at the plate. Florida’s pitching is not among the SEC’s best, but it is far from bad. All three starters, including Caglianone on Sunday, are more than capable of putting together solid outings, so Tennessee will undoubtedly need a pair of complete performances to earn a series win.
First pitch of the series opener between the Vols and Gators is Thursday at 8 p.m. ET in Lindsey Nelson Stadium. ESPNU has the broadcast.
