Tennessee freshman Cam Appenzeller will start for the Vols in their SEC Tournament opener against South Carolina Tuesday, Josh Elander announced on Monday afternoon.
“We’ll roll with Appy (Cam Appenzeller) to start,” Elander said. “He’ll be our starting pitcher tomorrow (vs. South Carolina). He’s a guy we’re excited about when we get down there. I know he likes the big moment.”
Appenzeller last pitched in relief in the Vols’ 9-7 win over Oklahoma on Monday night. The freshman left-handed pitcher threw 42 pitches while allowing two earned runs on four hits in 2.2 innings pitched.
The most pitches Appenzeller has thrown in a game this season in 78 at Mississippi State and he’s only exceeded 70 pitches twice. With Appenzeller on shorter rest and the NCAA Tournament looming, it’s unlikely that the Vols will push the freshman’s arm much on Tuesday.
Appenzeller enters the postseason with a 5-4 record, 4.84 ERA, 54 strikeouts and 12 walks in 48.1 innings pitched so far this season. The left-handed pitcher was phenomenal the first half of SEC play but struggled badly for a month stretch.
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The former South Carolina commit looked as good as he has in over a month during his outing Thursday night against Oklahoma.
“Just commanding the strike zone,” Elander said. “I thought his tempo and his delivery was better. He wasn’t as rushed. At times it looked like he’s been kind of just kind of jumping at the plate, and that arm swing was a little bit behind.
“When he throws strikes and he’s in attack mode, he’s as good as anybody. So I know we were joking after the game. Welcome back, Appy. It was good to see him do his deal, but a ton of confidence in him always. And I know he’s excited to get the ball tomorrow.”
Tennessee enters the SEC Tournament with a 36-19 (15-15 SEC) record landing as the 10-seed. The Vols played poorly in their first four SEC series, leaving a series loss against LSU with a 4-8 SEC record. But starting with a series sweep at Mississippi State, the Vols posted an 11-7 SEC record in their final six series.
If the Vols get past 15-seed South Carolina, they will face off against seven-seed Arkansas on Wednesday evening with the winner advancing to the quarterfinals on Friday.
First pitch for Tennessee baseball’s SEC Tournament opening game is at approximately 5:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday evening at the Hoover Met. Dave Neal and Lance Cormier are on the call for the SEC Network.
