Tennessee baseball head coach Josh Elander met with the media following the Vols’ crucial 4-1 series-evening win over LSU Saturday in game two of the weekend series.
The win snapped a four-game losing streak in SEC play and forced a series rubber match, the third in league play for the Vols and fifth total this season.
Elander discussed Cam Appenzeller’s elite relief outing, as the freshman phenom has now racked up over 18 scoreless innings to begin his SEC career. The Vols’ skipper also touched on what he saw from starting pitcher Tegan Kuhns, his team’s overall response after Friday’s loss and more.
RECAP: Tennessee Baseball’s Pitching Dominates In Series-Evening Victory Over LSU
Watch Elander’s entire post-game video below.
“I think it was his fastball command, how he was attacking the strike zone, but just the poise out there is — it’s well beyond his years,” Elander said when asked what was working so well for Appenzeller. “Just to go out there in that game, in that environment, our crowd was amazing. I heard it was another record crowd, and so thankful how they continue to support us. But Appy, was Appy. That’s what he’s been doing. It’s what we saw on the recruiting trail for years and years. The moments never too big, and he’s just gonna fill up the strike zone.
“But I think really the difference was tonight, he was driving the heater glove side. He always has been able to do that, so in to righties, but then also both sides of the plates, so the fastball really becomes two different pitches. He threw some breaking balls, some of them even backed up. I know (LSU second baseman Seth) Dardar swung through one at the top, but just attacking the strike zone, good pace, good poise, and pretty special performance by him.”
