Tennessee baseball brought back Daddy Hat, fur coat vs Vanderbilt, putting rest of SEC on notice | Adams
Tennessee’s baseball team did more than sweep a three-game series against Vanderbilt last week. It rediscovered its identity.
Or, as senior outfielder Christian Scott put it, “We went back to our roots.”
In so doing, it put the Darth Vader mask and light saber on the bench. The Star Wars accoutrements gave way to an old look.
The pink Daddy Hat and the fur coat returned to the dugout. Players donned them again in celebration of a home run – just like last year.
“We felt like the Daddy Hat and the fur coat still represent this team,” Scott told Knox News. “We’re not trying to be like last year’s team. This is a new team. But when we play well, we look like last year’s team.”
Last season’s team didn’t just play well. It was fantastic, winning 57 of 66 games and doing so with a flair rarely seen in college baseball. It was adored by its fans and often despised by the opposition, which was offended by UT’s in-your-face approach and constant celebrations, both big and small.
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Those Vols dressed for success in a Daddy Hat and fur coat. Removing the attire from a locker room closet doesn’t mean the current Vols will repeatedly overwhelm the opposition. They prevailed against Vanderbilt because of better hitting, fielding, and pitching.
One series sweep doesn’t mean the team suddenly will match last year’s Vols in proficiency.
But Tennessee’s success against Vanderbilt signified a much-needed change of direction. Before that, the Vols had been upset at home by Tennessee Tech and lost three consecutive games against Arkansas. Fans were beginning to wonder if Tennessee would fall short of the NCAA Tournament, which has become a routine destination under sixth-year coach Tony Vitello.
Eventually, the four-game losing streak might be remembered as a rallying point. It brought the team closer together, according to Scott.
“We didn’t have what you would call a ‘team meeting,’ but we had a few gatherings,” he said. “We bonded. Nobody was left out – coaches, managers and players were all involved. We felt more like a family. I think we found our identity.”
Even at its worst, Tennessee remained in the Top 25. It’s now No. 16 in the USA TODAY Sports coaches poll with a record of 26-14 and 8-10 in the SEC. Strength of schedule hasn’t hurt its ranking. Eight of the Vols’ losses have come against teams ranked No. 12 or higher, and seven of its losses have come against SEC teams ranked sixth or higher.
Beating Vanderbilt is such dominant fashion bodes well for the rest of the season. The Vols hit nine home runs in three games, including a dramatic come-from-behind victory in the series opener. Chase Burns’ pitching also was noteworthy.
His struggles as a starter resulted in Vitello removing him from the rotation and into the bullpen. Burns excelled in the relief role, striking out seven batters in three innings and allowing only one hit. Thanks to his holding the Commodores in check, the Vols were able to rally for a 4-3 victory Friday.
UT’s hitting was Daddy Hat worthy. The Vols scored 31 runs and hit nine home runs in the three games. And the Darth Vader mask and light saber were nowhere to be seen.
“They were chillin’ in the locker room,” Scott said.
Based on how Tennessee fared without them, they will remain in the locker room.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: twitter.com/johnadamskns.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee baseball Daddy hats, fur coats put rest of SEC on notice
