Tennessee baseball went 4-1 last week, taking care of midweek games against ETSU and Oakland before taking two of three games against Wright State in the weekend series.
The Vols now boast a 12-4 record with one midweek game remaining before the start of SEC play next week at Georgia. Here’s six thoughts on Tennessee baseball following the Wright State series and ahead of the start of SEC play.
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Sunday Was The Most Frustrated I’ve Seen Josh Elander
First-year head coach Josh Elander is an even-keel guy. But he showed the most frustration that he has all season following the Vols’ Sunday loss against Wright State.
Elander called the Vols’ offensive approach “immaturity across the board.” Too many pop outs, too many rolled over groundouts and two many players trying to get three runs back at once. The long time assistant noted that the Vols’ coaches also have to make adjustments.
But one message was clear, Elander believes Sunday’s performance was “unacceptable.” There was a firm message and tone that we haven’t often heard from Elander following the shutout loss.
The Levi Clark Struggles Are At A Breaking Point
I have constantly preached patience with Levi Clark. He is one of Tennessee’s most talented hitters and had a really nice offseason. Even last week, Clark hit the ball hard in Texas and it seemed like he was turning a corner.
But Clark followed it up with an 0-for-11 week where he reached base just once. On Sunday, Clark saw just four pitches. Right now, he’s extending the strike zone way too much. On the season, Clark is slashing .137/.262/.275.
We’re far enough into the year that this has become a real problem. Elander left him out of the lineup twice last week. He’s not giving up on him, nor should he, but it feels like Clark may need to watch from the dugout for a bit and try to get his rhythm back with a fresh start. I’m not sure giving him a full runway next week in Athens is wise.
Garrett Wright And Blake Grimmer Are Fixtures
Tennessee is more equipped to roll without Clark now that Blake Grimmer is back from injury. The utility man returned to the lineup Wednesday and had an overall solid week, hitting four-for-14 with two home runs and another double. He did the bulk of his damage against a bad Oakland team, but still showed enough to look like one of the Vols’ best nine.
Garrett Wright also returned on Wednesday and quickly looks like one of Tennessee’s best hitters. The Bowling Green transfer hit six-for-13 while being hit by four pitches. His ninth inning double set up Manny Marin’s walk off on Friday night.
Wright can get on base, and Tennessee badly needs players who can get on base. He and Grimmer look like starters entering SEC play.
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Manny Marin Responds To A Challenge
Tennessee has been waiting for two players to grab the reigns of the starting middle infield positions this season. Ideally, Manny Marin would be one of those players. Josh Elander said he challenged Marin this weekend. The sophomore certainly responded.
Marin was not on the lineup card Friday night but pinch hit later in the game before hitting a walk-off single. Elander did not write him in the lineup card Saturday either. But Marin returned to the lineup Sunday and was the only bright spot, going three-for-four with a double.
“The bright spot of the day is Manny Marion responded to being challenged a little bit and says he wants to play some more baseball,” Elander said. “So he will, because he earned that today.”
What To Make Of Evan Blanco’s Command Issues
Blanco earned a spot in Tennessee’s weekend rotation by commanding the strike zone all fall and competing at a high level. But that’s been an issue for him through his first four starts this season, walking 10 batters and hitting four more in 19.2 innings pitched.
Even last year when he struggled at Virginia, he only gave up 12 free bases in 39 innings pitched. Back in 2024, it was 35 free bases in 99.1 innings pitched. Blanco does not think there’s any mechanical problems leading to the command issue, but noted that he needs to clean it up.
It’s an uncharacteristic shortcoming for Blanco and one Tennessee needs him to get right sooner rather than later.
I Still Like This Pitching Staff
This is a more macro point here, but I overall like what I have seen from Tennessee’s pitching staff in the pre conference slate. The competition is about to ratchet up, but a number of bullpen arms have been effective and the Vols can provide different looks with them.
Tennessee’s whole weekend rotation has been good though I still worry that the Vols lack an ace in their rotation.
But overall, I remain high on this pitching staff. Pitching well and playing good defense is going to be the formula for this Tennessee team to pick up wins.
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