A Tennessee pitcher reps a handlebar mustache. Here's what to know about Kirby Connell.

Kirby Connell has to be one of the most well-groomed relief pitchers entering the 2022 NCAA baseball tournament.

Aside from his incredible mustache, Tennessee baseball's left-handed reliever has had an excellent season. He set a career high with five strikeouts as the Vols won their first SEC baseball tournament since 1995 on May 29.

Connell is not only finding several ways to excel, but he's finding ways to connect with a his roots. His older brothers, Kevin and Cody, are both involved with sports and frequently travel to watch Kirby succeed.

Here's a few key things to know about Connell before he takes the mound during the first game of the regional on Friday night.

He's the Tennessee pitcher with the wild mustache.

One major key to learning a thing or two about Kirby Connell: he loves his mustache. The handlebar style of his facial hair resembles old fashioned mustaches that were primarily popular in the 19th century.

Connell quickly rose to success in his sophomore year and decided to take his mustache to the next level. After helping the Vols sweep the series against UNC Greensboro in March 2021, he celebrated his success with new facial handlebars.

He also recently celebrated Mustache March and partnered with Alumni Hall to make shirts in support of the Vols and his facial hair.

Following the 10-1 victory against Vanderbilt in the first matchup of the SEC Tournament, Connell showed off his mustache and claimed it as the best in the conference.

He's one of Tennessee's top relievers

Currently in his junior season at Tennessee, Connell is one of the Vols' best relievers. He took the mound during the SEC Tournament and helped the Vols secure the trophy with an 8-5 win against Florida. Through 33⅓ innings entering the Knoxville Regional, Connell has three wins, allowed 22 hits, and recorded a 1.08 ERA.

After only making four relief appearances throughout his freshman year in 2018, Connell quickly rose to success with the Vols. He started off strong in his sophomore season, pitching 4⅓ innings and retiring 13 consecutive batters during his first appearance in February. Connell earned his first career win after pitching two scoreless innings with three strikeouts.

The rising star earned a 1-1 record in his sophomore season with two saves in 26 appearances. He also managed to strikeout 39 batters with only three walks.

He's a family man at heart

Connell grew up in Johnson City, Tennessee, before he moved to Missouri in the eighth grade. After spending several years in Missouri, his family moved back to the east coast and reside in Blacksburg, South Carolina. Growing up with his older brothers Kevin and Cody, Kirby Connell was always surrounded by strong support.

In an interview with the Johnson City Press, Cody described the chaotic dynamics of the Connell household.

"I’ll never forget when I was 12 and he was probably one and a half, he was up there swinging our bats. You never see someone that young pick up a bat and swing it."

"It was a dogfight at the house every day. If he wanted to compete with us, we weren’t going to baby him and let him win. If he wanted to play with us, he had to find a way to compete with the big boys."

Kevin, who's 10 years older than Kirby, currently serves as an assistant softball coach to Northeast Mississippi Community College. Cody, who is eight years older than Kirby, is currently the head basketball coach at David Crockett high school.

When Kirby's mustache started attracting some attention, his family proudly wore the shirts he created showing off his facial hair.

The Vols will host the Hornets on Friday night in the first game of the Knoxville Regional. The first pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT.

Dani Mohr is a trending sports writer for the South Region of USA Today Network based at The Tennessean in Nashville. Contact her at dmohr@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @daniraemohr

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Kirby Connell's mustache: Tennessee baseball pitcher went old-school