University of Tennessee Athletics
A Dozen Diamond Vols Arrive; Walk-on Tryouts Set
August 23, 2007 | Baseball
A dozen new members of the Tennessee baseball team began fall semester classes this week, officially opening their careers as UT student-athletes. Included among the group of Diamond Vols newcomers are a pair of previously drafted players, six junior college or four-year institution transfers and six true freshmen.
The Vols under first-year head coach Todd Raleigh are slated to open fall practice Sunday, Sept. 16 at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, which is currently undergoing the first phase of a multi-million dollar renovation project.
"Our new guys are here on campus, going to class and working out hard with (strength coach Brian Gearity)," Raleigh said. "I'm confident they'll stay on top of their academic work and that they'll be ready when we take the field for fall practice. That is what I???????think everybody is really looking forward to. We're all eager to get together on the field and see what kind of chemistry we've got."
Freshman outfielder Kentrail Davis - a 14th-round pick in June's MLB draft - headlines UT's crop of 2008 newcomers. Davis is joined by freshman catcher Blake Forsythe, freshman right-handed pitcher Dylan Hochevar, freshman outfielder Josh Liles (a 40th-round pick in the 2007 draft), freshman outfielder P.J. Polk and junior left-handed pitcher Joey Rosas.
Junior infielder Trey Burstrom, sophomore right-handed pitcher Steve Crnkovich, sophomore infielder Cody Grisham, junior catcher Matt Hamaker, sophomore left-handed pitcher D.J. Leffler and freshman third baseman Tanner Moore all signed with or committed to Tennessee since Raleigh's hiring in June and are also on campus.
The newcomers join a group of 19 returning players from the 2007 season, including 12 letterwinners.
VOLS TO CONDUCT OPEN CAMPUS TRYOUTS SEPT. 13-14
The Tennessee baseball team will be conducting open campus tryouts for walk-on players Sept. 13-14 at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Tryouts will begin at 4 p.m. on both days.
Student-athletes interested in taking part in baseball tryouts must meet ALL of the following criteria:
1) Must be registered for at least 12 credit hours for the fall semester at the University of Tennessee
2) Must be an NCAA qualifier*
3) Must stop by the baseball office (272 Stokely Athletics Center) at least one week before tryouts begin to complete appropriate paperwork
*To learn whether or not a prospective student-athlete is an NCAA qualifier, visit www.NCAAclearinghouse.net. The clearinghouse process can sometimes take two weeks or longer to complete. Only qualifiers will be allowed to take the field for tryouts.
