University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols Open Practice with High Expectations
October 01, 2001 | Baseball
Oct. 1, 2001
Head coach Rod Delmonico and his Tennessee Volunteers opened up four weeks of fall baseball practice with high expectations after making their third trip to the College World Series in June. The fall workout schedule will conclude Oct. 26 with a home run contest and an alumni baseball game at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
"Our expectations are to return to Omaha," said Delmonico. "We bring back 15 guys that know what it takes to get there, along with a coaching staff that's been there a couple of times. We've brought some junior college and high school players that were successful where they were at. They are highly talented individuals that should keep us where we need to be."
Among those newcomers expected to contribute immediately are junior shortstop Walter Sevilla, freshman second baseman Nick Crowe and freshman outfielder/pitcher Joey Andrews. Even with those players penciled in at their respective positions, Delmonico still has four other positions in the starting lineup that need to be filled.
"I really like what we brought in. I feel like we filled our needs. We brought in a couple of guys to play the middle and a couple of outfielders along with six pitchers. Now we have to see how they mesh with our returning players.
"Right now we need to nail down about four positions. We've got guys battling for those spots. Last year we had quite a few players coming back so all we had to do was set our pitching and go. This year we've got to set our top five pitchers and nail down a starting lineup."
Even with the tremendous losses suffered to the team with the departure of seven players to the draft, Delmoinico is expecting a lot from the junior college transfers and freshmen.
"We were able to hit the ball out of the ball park last year. I do think this team has a chance to steal quite a few bases. We brought in some junior college guys that stole 20 or more bases. We've got some team speed. The key for us is to establish our starting lineup and keep guys healthy. We've got a couple of nagging injuries as we start fall ball. We have to get them healthy to make another run at Omaha."
