With the season on the line, Vols turn to one-time question mark

Coming into the 2024 campaign, one of the bigger questions asked around the program was who was going to be the third starter in the weekend rotation. Would it be Zander Sechrist or somebody new?

The lanky lefty is not a high-velocity pitcher. He won’t throw it hard past any batters and really didn’t have a bulk of experience to fall back on entering his final season. He’d been a midweek ace for the Volunteers throughout his four years in the program, a role he played very well.

But stepping up into the weekend role requires more. The Southeastern Conference is the best league in the country and the 14 teams that comprise the league are good in the lineup, top-to-bottom. Was Sechrist good enough to face that week in and week out?

“He’s the definition of a quirky lefty, a lovable kid and a great teammate. Somehow, it’s kind of odd how he gets out there and is as much of a competitor as Hunter Ensley and Cal Stark,” Tony Vitello said following his latest start against Southern Miss last weekend. “It’s been fun to be around him, and it’s been really cool to see him evolve as a pitcher in each year that he’s here. That’s why I think our
guys have faith in him. You can tell our fans take to him like they do to Charlie (Taylor) as
well, and he’s earned that. He’s certainly competitive.”

The southpaw earned the first Sunday start of the season for Tennessee on February 18 in Arlington, TX. In a two-inning look, the senior allowed three runs off four hits. He followed it up with a pair of scoreless innings against Albany in the second weekend of the year, before being regulated to a bullpen role for the next three weekends.  

Sechrist returned to the weekend starting role during the second week of conference play against Ole Miss. The senior has made every game three start since – sometimes as an opener and others as a true third starter.

“He’s been the guy that throw on them so he knows what it’s like and he’s been that guy every time we’ve had a series on the line,” catcher Cal Stark said of Sechrist ability to throw in rubber matches. “So, knowing that just gives me, gives  the whole team just an extra boost of confidence that he can go out there and throw it well.”

He is pitching his best baseball in recent weeks, despite being struck by a 105 miles per hour comebacker off the side of his left leg (just above the knee) in Sunday’s regional championship game against Southern Miss. He stayed in the ballgame, struck out his next batter and finished the inning. Sechrist gave up three runs in the contest, though none were earned, and has surrendered just two earned runs over his last 16.2 innings pitched.

So, the Vols will put their best foot forward with a guy they go to battle for, both on and off the field. Regardless if it is two innings, four innings or seven-strong, Tennessee will allow Sechrist to get as much as he can. With six inning gems in two of his past three starts, no reason to not think he can’t do it again against an Evansville club.

Following Sechrist, Tennessee is in a decent spot as every pitcher outside of Drew Beam can probably help if needed. Chris Stamos, who opened game one, could be one of the first left-handers out of bullpen since Kirby Connell has already thrown on back-to-back days. Nate Snead will be available, as will Aaron Combs, who was getting hot during Saturday’s ninth inning comeback for the Vols.

“It’s our guy on the field [Sechrist], so he’s got the ball and we’ll worry about the rest later,” Vitello continued. “I don’t think we’ve done anything to gas anybody out this particular weekend.”

As for Evansville, its best reliver Shane Harris was forced into the ballgame on Saturday to stop the bleeding. He’s logged 68 pitches out of the bullpen over two appearances this weekend. With the season on the line, surely he’s available to give something if needed – but not too much. Jakob Meyer has also made two appearances, throwing a total of 70 pitches with 57 on Sunday. His availability is probably more uncertain than Harris’.

Bottom line, it’s do or die time tomorrow. Winner goes to Omaha and the loser goes home. The Vols love the moxy in the guy they are turning to tomorrow. They should as Zander Sechrist has been the real deal the past month of the season.

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