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Tony Vitello wasn't sure if Tegan Kuhns would start or come out of the bullpen for Tennessee baseball on Saturday.
The Vols coach opted to give the ball to the freshman to start and it proved to be the best choice.
"He was throwing strikes, but I think his presence was the biggest thing," the Vols coach said.
Kuhns cemented himself as the best option for the No. 1 Vols (22-2, 5-1 SEC) to be the third weekend starter early in SEC play with his second start in UT's 9-2 series-clinching win at No. 12 Alabama. He held the Crimson Tide (22-3, 4-2) scoreless in 4⅓ innings. He struck out five and allowed one hit and two walks.
The freshman has thrown seven scoreless innings in two SEC starts, allowing two hits and two walks with eight strikeouts.
"He’s looked good since he’s been pitching for us," Vitello said. "But with a little bit of arm soreness and an undefined role, we’ve had him out there a couple times and kind of been a little restrictive due to pitch count. But he’s built himself up into a position where he can give you a true start. He certainly did that today.”
Kuhns has a 2-0 record with a 0.71 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 12⅔ innings. He has allowed seven hits and walked four.
Tennessee has rotated through options this season for its third starter spot behind Liam Doyle and Marcus Phillips. Nate Snead got the first crack, but is at his best in the bullpen. Brandon Arvidson and Tanner Franklin also have started.
Kuhns, who was the No. 45 prospect in the nation according to Perfect Game, got his first chance during Tennessee's weekend in the Astros Foundation College Classic. He showed well and has elevated in his past two starts with Saturday being his best outing yet.
STAFF: How Tennessee baseball's pitching staff carved Houston tournament: 'A bunch of alpha males'
He should remain in a starting role moving forward and hold it at least until AJ Russell is back on the mound fully. Vitello has indicated Russell will likely return in April after he threw one inning in February in his return from Tommy John surgery in June.
Brayden Krenzel pitched 4⅓ innings of relief behind Kuhns. He allowed two runs on three hits and one walk with six strikeouts as Tennessee won its 11th straight SEC series. The Vols lost the series opener 6-5 on Thursday and 10-7 on Friday to even the series.
Hunter Ensley was 8-for-13 with six RBIs and three runs in the series. Dalton Bargo was 5-for-11 with three runs and four RBIs. Bargo had three two-out RBIs with a run-scoring double in the seventh and a two-run single in the eighth in Friday's win.
Ariel Antigua had the best offensive game of his Tennessee career Saturday, going 3-for-4 with a double. He had three runs, an RBI and a walk.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tegan Kuhns pitches Tennessee baseball to series win at Alabama
Continue reading...
The Vols coach opted to give the ball to the freshman to start and it proved to be the best choice.
"He was throwing strikes, but I think his presence was the biggest thing," the Vols coach said.
Kuhns cemented himself as the best option for the No. 1 Vols (22-2, 5-1 SEC) to be the third weekend starter early in SEC play with his second start in UT's 9-2 series-clinching win at No. 12 Alabama. He held the Crimson Tide (22-3, 4-2) scoreless in 4⅓ innings. He struck out five and allowed one hit and two walks.
The freshman has thrown seven scoreless innings in two SEC starts, allowing two hits and two walks with eight strikeouts.
"He’s looked good since he’s been pitching for us," Vitello said. "But with a little bit of arm soreness and an undefined role, we’ve had him out there a couple times and kind of been a little restrictive due to pitch count. But he’s built himself up into a position where he can give you a true start. He certainly did that today.”
Kuhns has a 2-0 record with a 0.71 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 12⅔ innings. He has allowed seven hits and walked four.
Tennessee has rotated through options this season for its third starter spot behind Liam Doyle and Marcus Phillips. Nate Snead got the first crack, but is at his best in the bullpen. Brandon Arvidson and Tanner Franklin also have started.
Kuhns, who was the No. 45 prospect in the nation according to Perfect Game, got his first chance during Tennessee's weekend in the Astros Foundation College Classic. He showed well and has elevated in his past two starts with Saturday being his best outing yet.
STAFF: How Tennessee baseball's pitching staff carved Houston tournament: 'A bunch of alpha males'
He should remain in a starting role moving forward and hold it at least until AJ Russell is back on the mound fully. Vitello has indicated Russell will likely return in April after he threw one inning in February in his return from Tommy John surgery in June.
Brayden Krenzel pitched 4⅓ innings of relief behind Kuhns. He allowed two runs on three hits and one walk with six strikeouts as Tennessee won its 11th straight SEC series. The Vols lost the series opener 6-5 on Thursday and 10-7 on Friday to even the series.
Hunter Ensley was 8-for-13 with six RBIs and three runs in the series. Dalton Bargo was 5-for-11 with three runs and four RBIs. Bargo had three two-out RBIs with a run-scoring double in the seventh and a two-run single in the eighth in Friday's win.
Ariel Antigua had the best offensive game of his Tennessee career Saturday, going 3-for-4 with a double. He had three runs, an RBI and a walk.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tegan Kuhns pitches Tennessee baseball to series win at Alabama
Continue reading...
