Tony Vitello's tough decision for Tennessee in Super Regional against Arkansas is likely going to be easier to make than expected
Now that the Tennessee Vols have advanced past the Knoxville Regional, via a thrilling win against Wake Forest in the final, the attention for UT turns to their Super Regional showdown in Fayetteville against the Arkansas Razorbacks. The Vols haven't won a series in Fayetteville since 2001. They'll have to find a way to end […]
Now that the Tennessee Vols have advanced past the Knoxville Regional, via a thrilling win against Wake Forest in the final, the attention for UT turns to their Super Regional showdown in Fayetteville against the Arkansas Razorbacks.
The Vols haven't won a series in Fayetteville since 2001. They'll have to find a way to end that streak if they're going to return to the College World Series for the third straight year.
One of the big questions for the Vols ahead of the series against Arkansas revolves around Tennessee's pitching plan.
Who starts game one for the Volunteers?
LHP Liam Doyle, who finished the game against Wake Forest in the Knoxville Regional final with 2.1 shutout innings, is arguably the best pitcher in college baseball. Doyle started Tennessee's first game in the Knoxville Regional against Miami (OH) and he was terrific. Game one against Arkansas isn't until Saturday, so Doyle would seemingly have enough rest days to recover from the heavy load he carried in the Knoxville Regional.
RHP Marcus Phillips, however, started the Vols' only win against Arkansas earlier this season.
It's easy to see how it's a tough decision for Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello.
There's one factor, though, that will likely make Vitello's decision significantly easier.
Vols catcher Cannon Peebles is suspended for the first game of the Super Regional due to his ejection in Tennessee's win against Wake Forest. That means that Stone Lawless will get the start at catcher for the Vols on Saturday against the Razorbacks.
Lawless has only started in one game this season where Doyle was the starting pitcher (and that was Doyle's first start of the season, way back on February 14).
Doyle and Peebles seemingly have a good thing going. And considering how important catcher/pitcher chemistry is, it doesn't seem wise to mess with that formula with a trip to Omaha on the line.
With Lawless set to start on Saturday, it seems like a no-brainer to go with Phillips on the bump in game one. Doyle could then start game two on Sunday (which would give him five days of rest after pitching against Wake Forest on Monday) with Peebles back in the lineup.
