Tennessee baseball faced some uncertainty regarding their pitching lineup for the upcoming game against Vanderbilt at the SEC tournament semifinals in Hoover, Alabama. Pitcher Zander Sechrist’s availability was in question after warming up but not pitching in the previous game. Coach Tony Vitello was considering various options for the starting pitcher role, including JJ Garcia, Andrew Behnke, Matthew Dallas, Dylan Loy, and Marcus Phillips.
Sechrist, the only pitcher on the active roster who had not pitched during the tournament, could still be a potential starter against Vanderbilt. AJ Russell, who returned after missing two months due to arm issues, might also factor into Tennessee’s postseason plans, but the team will proceed cautiously given the circumstances. The team was also monitoring the availability of other pitchers who had pitched earlier in the tournament.
Vitello emphasized the importance of getting Sechrist some playing time, indicating that he had him ready to go against Mississippi State and might still consider him as a starter against Vanderbilt. The team’s pitching decisions would be crucial as they looked to bounce back from a previous loss to Vanderbilt earlier in the tournament. Despite the uncertainties, the team remained focused on putting together a strong pitching rotation to secure a victory in the upcoming game.
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