Sophomore right-handed pitcher Drew Beam will start for Tennessee baseball in Sunday’s series finale at Arkansas, head coach Tony Vitello told RTI Saturday night.
“Beam will pitch tomorrow and Burns is obviously available out of the ‘pen,” Vitello said. “Our intention was to use him maybe twice this weekend but now we’re whittled down to once. What his specific role is when he comes in the game we’ll see but our guys like playing behind Beamer so he’ll start the game for us.”
Beam has been Tennessee’s series finale starter for the entirety of this season and most of the last two seasons. The Murfreesboro, Tennessee native has posted a 4-1 record, 2.52 ERA and 1.19 WHIP this season and has perhaps been the Vols’ best starting pitcher.
More From RTI: Everything Tony Vitello Said After Tennessee Dropped Game Two At Arkansas
Tennessee dropped the first two games of its weekend series at Arkansas marking the third straight SEC series loss. The same issues continue to plague Tennessee as poor defense and situational hitting have been costly in the series first two games.
This isn’t a new spot for Beam this season. Sunday in Fayetteville will be the sophomore right-handers fourth start with Tennessee looking to avoid a weekend sweep this season.
In the previous three starts, Beam has totaled 14 innings pitched while allowing 12 runs, three earned runs and four walks while striking out 17 batters. The Vols hold a 2-1 record in those three games, falling at Missouri but beating both LSU and Florida.
First pitch for the series finale at Baum-Walker Stadium is at 3 p.m. ET Sunday afternoon. The SEC Network+ will stream the game.
