CFP Winner Odds
Tennessee pitcher Camden Sewell’s status for this weekend’s season opening series against Georgia Southern is up in the air after suffering a minor injury.
“Sewell does not have a major injury just a ground ball that nicked off the top of his finger,” Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello said. “I don’t know if he’ll be available this weekend.”
While Vitello was koi about Sewell’s availability, the fifth-year coach’s nomenclature indicated that Sewell will not pitch against the Eagles.
Under Vitello’s leadership, Tennessee has always been extremely cautious with its pitchers health early in the season. The Vols’ head man said as much Tuesday.
“I think we’ve been through this before. I think some people get frustrated — even the players — with me,” Vitello said. “We’re always going to play it conservative at the beginning of the year. Then at the end of the year we’ll give a guy like Sewell or a reliever the ball and let him go as long as he can in the SEC Tournament or run a reliever out there multiple times with our season on the line. For now, we’ll play it conservative and if anything it opens opportunity for guys who maybe wouldn’t get one early in the year to show I belong to be in the mix when conference play rolls around.”
Sewell was one of Tennessee’s top relievers a season ago, posting a 2.82 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in 51 innings pitched. The Cleveland, Tennessee native was dominant the back half of the season, including a six shutout innings performance against Florida in the SEC Tournament.
The senior was competing for a weekend starter spot before Blade Tidwell and Seth Halvorsen suffered serious injuries. Without that duo, Sewell will almost debut in the weekend rotation when he returns.
Vitello didn’t name his weekend starters Tuesday, but expect Georgia Southern transfer Chase Dollander and star freshman Chase Burns to make their Tennessee debuts.
Tennessee opens its season Friday afternoon at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. First pitch between the Vols and Georgia Southern is set for 4:30 p.m. ET.
