Tennessee infielder Dean Curley is playing his summer baseball with the USA Collegiate National Team in a number of intrasquad scrimmages and games in North Carolina.
The USA Collegiate National Team has played in two instrasquad scrimmages and three games against the Chinese Taipei team. Curley played in one of the two instrasquad scrimmages and has started in all three games against the Chinese Taipei team.
In those four games, Curley is hitting four-of-12 (.333) with two walks and three runs-batted in. His two-RBI hit to right field secured the USA’s run-rule victory on Monday night in Cary, North Carolina.
.@deancurley1 makes it 11-1, that’s a WALK-OFF for Team USA 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/vDay9KdVra
— USA Baseball CNT (@USABaseballCNT) July 2, 2024
Interestingly, Curley has started two of the three games against the Chinese Taipei team at third base while starting the other game at shortstop. Curley started almost exclusively at shortstop for Tennessee during freshman season but could move to second base or third base in his sophomore season.
Fellow rising sophomore Ariel Antigua is a better defensive option at shortstop and was in contention to start at the spot before a hand injury set him back in the preseason. The Vols are pursuing options in the transfer portal at both second base and third base.
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Curley turned in a strong freshman year for Tennessee baseball, hitting .285 with 12 home runs and 50 RBIs. The California native played some of his best baseball down the home stretch of the season.
The 6-foot-3, 212-pound infielder is the only Tennessee player that’s played for the USA Baseball Collegiate Team to date though right-handed pitcher Nate Snead has also recently joined the team and is expected to see some action there this summer.
