It seems like most folks have seen the incredible web gem from Tennessee center fielder Hunter Ensley during the second inning on Friday night.
Like a safety dropping back in coverage, Ensley turned and burned as he raced back to track down a deep fly off of a North Carolina bat.
Ensley never took his eye of the ball, crashing into the wall and face-planting against the green padding while holding on to the catch. Ensley popped up and gave a roar to the crowd, pounding his chest with adrenaline pumping through his veins.
But the angle from behind the plate only does the catch so much justice.
When looking at one of the alternate angles from the side, it’s evident to see just how much of a car crash the collision into the wall actually was. Ensley was moving like a horse as his body crumbled against the wall, holding on through it all.
This angle of Hunter Ensley’s catch is RIDICULOUS 🤯 pic.twitter.com/zv1ZlGLt8y
— Vol Report (@AllVolReport) June 16, 2024
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Rivals’ Tennessee editor and reporter Noah Taylor posted a picture of the Omaha World Herald newspaper from Monday morning with an incredible picture from photographer Nikos Frazier of Ensley’s catch. The photograph is more evidence of how brutal the collision actually was, which could be hard to tell in the bang-bang nature of the play in real-time.
Another morning, another great @OWHnews sports front. pic.twitter.com/QKgfdWEz4T
— 𝙽𝚘𝚊𝚑 𝚃𝚊𝚢𝚕𝚘𝚛 (@ByNoahTaylor) June 17, 2024
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As many fans pointed out on social media, Ensley “gave his all” for Tennessee during that fearless play.
Ensley left his mark on the wall, literally.
The Tennessee centerfielder’s eyeblack was stained on the wall after his face crashed into the padding, and the marking stuck through the game.
POV: Hunter Ensley’s INSANE catch tonight against North Carolina 🤯
THE EYEBLACK MARK AND ALL 🔥
A man who is literally and figuratively willing to GIVE HIS ALL for Tennessee 🍊⚾️ pic.twitter.com/7nopnY2kHL
— SEC Unfiltered (@SECUnfiltered) June 17, 2024
Ensley took the plate after making the catch, recording a quick out to third base on just two pitches. He then struck out two innings later. Shortly after, Ensley was replaced in centerfield out of caution after the Vols’ outfielder was a little “wobbly” according to Tony Vitello with some leg pain.
“Kind of busted my leg on the wall a little bit. I feel good,” Ensley said after the game. “Right now, getting recovered. Going to meet with a trainer later. Get recovered up and be back for Wednesday.”
Ensley also emphasized how much some rest time will help.
The rest time is the direct result of Tennessee’s 2-0 start in the College World Series. The Vols took care of business with a walk-off comeback win over Florida State on Friday night before defeating North Carolina on Sunday night.
Tennessee will now wait for UNC and FSU to compete in an elimination game on Tuesday before facing the winner on Wednesday.
Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for complete on-site coverage of Tennessee’s run in the College World Series.
TOUGH 😤
📺 https://t.co/ABe8OpapXI (ESPN2)#GBO // #OTH // #MCWS // #BeatUNC pic.twitter.com/JshkrmxMQm
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) June 16, 2024
