It’s been two and a half weeks since Stone Lawless was hit by a pitch in the face in Tennessee baseball’s series finale loss against Vanderbilt. But things continue to trend in a positive direction for Lawless to return to the field as the injury gets farther in the rearview.
“We’re going to lean on Woody (trainer Jeff Wood) and those guys to go through.” Elander said Tuesday night. “Just where he got hit, there’s a process and a checklist to go through, and he wants to be as aggressive as he can, but I’ll lean on Dr. (Chris) Klenck and Woody. … And he looks really, really good, and hoping to get him back out there soon.”
Tennessee’s first-year head coach did not have a firm time table for when Lawless could return to the field but said that he is meeting with trainer Jeff Wood Wednesday to discuss the plan. Elander did note that Lawless has already begun doing some on field work again.
“He’s moving around already,” Elander said. “I know he’s just getting his feet back underneath him, but just great to have him back in the dugout. Was a little weird out there at Mississippi State not having him there.”
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The incident occurred in the third inning of the series finale at Vanderbilt when a 3-1 89 mph fastball hit Lawless in the face. He immediately fell to the ground and had to be helped off the field. Tennessee took him to the hospital during the game and Josh Elander said after the game that the pitch hit him in the orbital socket.
Lawless has started 21 games behind the plate this season and is hitting .250 with four home runs, four doubles and 10 RBIs. After a slow start to the season, Lawless has been one of the Vols’ better hitters in SEC play.
In nine SEC games played, Lawless is slashing .222/.313/.556 with two home runs and three doubles. Even when not starting behind the plate in conference play, Lawless has started at designated hitter.
Lawless has missed two weekend series due to the injury. Levi Clark has started at catcher twice in both series while Garrett Wright has started behind the plate in the other game. When Clark catches, Wright starts in centerfield, and when Wright catches, Clark starts at first base.
Ironically, freshman catcher Trent Grindlinger has grabbed the reigns of the designated hitter spot with his opportunities over the last two weeks.
