Tennessee baseball getting a big boost going into NCAA Tournament, and it’s one that will cause Vol fans to exhale
Tennessee is getting back a big part of its roster, and it’s a return that will have many people relieved.
The Tennessee Vols baseball team is gearing up for their seventh straight NCAA Tournament this weekend in Chapel Hill. The Vols will take on East Carolina on Friday, and if they’re successful, they’ll face the winner of North Carolina and Virginia Commonwealth on Saturday.
And their quest to reach their sixth straight Super Regional just got a boost on Wednesday.
Per head coach Josh Elander, senior outfielder Reese Chapman is a “full go” to play this weekend in Chapel Hill.
Tennessee senior outfielder Reese Chapman a ‘full go’ for NCAA Tournament after being struck by line drive before SEC Tournament
“Reese will be full go, so definitely very excited about that,” Elander said during his media availability on Wednesday. “He’s really grinding through. I think a huge credit to Dr. (Chris) Klenck and Woody (trainer Jeff Wood), and the people down at UAB for how they handled that situation. Even our admin, just getting him to and from, and the people in town, because [that was] a pretty scary moment.
“But I’m excited to see Reese rocking and rolling. We’ll see if he rolls with the Batman mask or not, out there. That’s the one thing left to left to see. But I’m just pretty damn excited to see him back out there again.”
Chapman took a line drive to the face in Hoover before Tennessee began their SEC Tournament play, and he was taken to the hospital at UAB for immediate treatment. Fortunately, and most importantly, it appears as though he’s avoided any major injury and has recovered well.
Chapman is first or tied for first this season in doubles, walks, RBIs, and runs scored for Tennessee, so it goes without saying that his return will be a huge one for the Vols.