Tennessee Vols morning report: Baseball season ends
The Tennessee Vols baseball season coming to an end after NCAA Regionals leads our Volunteers news for Monday, June 3, 2019.
It’s the first weekday in June of 2019, and given all the news that’s been surrounding the Tennessee Vols recently, things are still hectic. However, developments from Sunday could result in them winding down.
Our morning update on Rocky Top is a rare occurrence in which we lead with baseball. However, this has been a magical season for UT on the diamond, and a sad ending is naturally going to be the lead story.
Personnel stories are a focus otherwise. The addition of a transfer in men’s basketball, the staff in women’s basketball and swimming and diving, and the loss of a transfer in softball are on our list. Let’s start, though, with baseball.
Tennessee baseball season ends in Chapel Hill – Ken Lay, VolsWire.com
The Tennessee Vols baseball season came to an end Sunday with a loss to the North Carolina Tar Heels, eliminating them from the NCAA Regionals. Second-year head coach Tony Vitello had led them to their first NCAA Tournament since 2005. They finished the year 40-21 overall.
"The Volunteers, who had to make the long trek through the loser’s bracket after dropping a 6-1 contest to Liberty Friday, saw their postseason journey come to an end with a 5-2 loss to host North Carolina. After falling to the Flames in the first game, Tennessee rallied to rout UNC Wilmington and edge the Flames, 6-5 in ten innings, Sunday afternoon to earn the right to face the Tar Heels Sunday night."
Men’s basketball adds Oregon transfer – Grant Ramey, GoVols247
The Tennessee Vols men’s basketball team added point guard Victor Bailey Jr. over the weekend. Bailey transferred to UT after two seasons with the Oregon Ducks.
"The 6-foot-4, 190-pound Bailey, an Austin, Texas, native, is the sixth newcomer to join Tennessee during the 2019 cycle and will likely have to sit out the 2019-20 season due to NCAA transfer rules. Bailey started eight times in 73 games at Oregon, averaging 7.4 points in 17.9 minutes per game. He had 65 assists to 60 turnovers during his two seasons with the Ducks."
Kellie Harper completes Lady Vols staff – Lacey Keefer, WBIR
Tennessee women’s basketball head coach Kellie Harper added three new staff members over the weekend. The additions were announced Friday.
"Jessica Jackson will be the program’s director of recruiting operations. Catherine Greene will serve as the director of basketball operations. Tyler Watson takes over as the team’s strength and conditioning coach."
Softball pitcher Caylan Arnold transferring – Rhiannon Potkey, Knoxville News Sentinel
Tennessee Lady Vols softball pitcher Caylan Arnold is transferring after completing her junior year with the program. She entered the portal and plans to transfer to a school outside of the SEC so she can play immediately.
"Arnold was 11-8 this season with a 2.26 ERA, 102 strikeouts and 39 walks in 102 innings pitched. The righthander finished the season strong, with an NCAA regional-clinching win over North Carolina and a victory over Florida in the Super Regional to force a deciding game. Arnold was part of a three-pitcher Lady Vols staff this season that included freshman Ashley Rogers and senior Matty Moss."
Swimming and Diving adds new staff member – UTSports
The Tennessee Swimming and Diving program added Josh Huger to its coaching staff. Head coach Matt Kredich announced the hire Friday.
"Prior to his hiring, Huger spent four seasons as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Virginia Tech. During that time, the Hokies posted eight ACC individual titles, three top-25 NCAA team finishes, 16 All-America honors, 756 lifetime best performances, 44 school records and four ACC records."