Tennessee second baseman Gavin Kilen is “questionable” for the Vols’ series opener at Alabama on Thursday night according to the SEC Availability Report.
*Kilen is out for Thursday night’s series opener according to the SEC Availability Report
Kilen has started in all 21 of Tennessee’s games to this point in the season and is hitting .431 with 10 home runs, seven more extra-base hits and 25 RBIs. The second baseman has been Tennessee’s best bat this year, leading the team in average, home runs and RBIs.
It’s unclear why Kilen is questionable for the series opener. Kilen played in the entirety of Tennessee’s 7-6 loss against ETSU on Tuesday, hitting two-for-five with a solo home run and a walk.
The Vols have a number of options at second base if Kilen is unable to go. Freshman third baseman Manny Marin could slide over to second base allowing Dalton Bargo to start at third base. Dean Curley could also move to second or third with Ariel Antigua starting at shortstop.
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Tony Vitello’s eighth Tennessee team is off to a 20-1 (3-0 SEC) start this season just losing for the first time this season earlier this week against ETSU. The Vols opened SEC play with a bang last week, sweeping then-No. 8 Florida in a three-game series at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
But the challenge remains high this weekend as the Vols head to Tuscaloosa to face No. 12 Alabama in a three-game series. The Crimson Tide are off to a 21-1 (3-0 SEC) start to the season and swept Texas A&M on the road last weekend.
Tennessee’s last series defeat came at Alabama last year when the Vols lost games two and three to drop the three-game set to open SEC play.
It’s a rare Thursday-Saturday series at Sewell-Thomas Stadium with Thursday’s game on ESPNU and the final two games streaming on SEC Network+. First pitch for game one of the weekend series is at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday night.
