Tennessee baseball’s infield is getting a major boost ahead of its weekend series at LSU. Middle infielder Gavin Kilen is returning to the field and is starting at second base in the Vols’ midweek matchup against instate foe Lipscomb Tuesday night.
It’s the first time that Kilen has started at second base since March 18 when the star infielder suffered a hamstring injury in a 7-6 loss against ETSU in extra innings at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Kilen was completely out of the lineup for just over three weeks before returning as the starting designated hitter in Tennessee’s series win at Ole Miss. The Louisville transfer was clearly hampered by the hamstring injury against the Rebels but moved much better this past weekend against Kentucky.
“So it makes us better defensively, provides a little more leadership on the field,” Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello said after getting Kilen back. “It’s probably easier for Gavin to be in a rhythm of the game that he’s used to, even though he always gives you good at-bats, but I think it gives our offense the best chance to have nine guys out there that can be productive.”
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The left-handed hitter has been one of Tennessee’s best players this season and enters Tuesday night’s matchup hitting .404 with 11 home runs, 19 extra-base hits and 27 RBIs this season. In six games since returning to the lineup as the designated hitter, Kilen is hitting nine-for-26 (.346) with one double, one home run and two RBIs.
Tennessee’s infield defense has struggled badly in recent weeks with Kilen in the dugout. The Vols have an abundance of versatility and have used different infield combinations during that time. With Kilen starting at second base on Tuesday night, Ariel Antigua is at shortstop, Dean Curley is at third base and Dalton Bargo is at left field.
Curley has had some defensive issues while playing the left side of the infield in recent weeks but was much better defensively at second base last week against Kentucky. Kilen started at shortstop last weekend for Louisville and spent an abundance of time working their this offseason. As Kilen continues to get closer to 100%, he could potentially play at shortstop allowing Curley to stay on the right side of the infield.
Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider’s live updates for Tennessee baseball’s midweek matchup against LSU here.
