Tony Vitello announces Tennessee baseball starting rotation for opening weekend in Texas

Tony Vitello has settled on a starting rotation for Tennessee baseball's opening weekend − at least, two of three spots.

The Vols will start sophomore A.J. Russell on Friday against Texas Tech and junior Drew Beam on Saturday against Oklahoma, the Vols coach said Wednesday. The third spot against Baylor has yet to be determined. Vitello indicated four or five pitchers are in the mix for that spot. That group likely is senior Zander Sechrist, junior A.J. Causey, sophomore Nate Snead and freshmen Matthew Dallas and Derek Schaefer.

The No. 8 Vols are opening the season in the Shriners Children's Showdown in Arlington, Texas.

A.J. Russell is opening the season as Tennessee's Friday starter

Russell emerged as a dominant reliever in his first season with the Vols and gained a prominent role late in the season. He was 2-0 with a 0.89 ERA in 30⅓ innings with 47 strikeouts. He made 24 appearances with one start.

He will get the ball in the season opener after going into the offseason expected to join the rotation.

Drew Beam brings stability to Tennessee baseball rotation

Beam has served as the third starter in the UT rotation, bringing comfort to Vitello and pitching coach Frank Anderson at the back of the weekend. He is a preseason All-American according to multiple publications.

"To me, it’s about stability," Vitello said. "You go into Day 2, you want to kind of know what you’re getting. On top of that, he’s willing to take the ball in any facet or in any way, shape or form you want to do it throughout the year."

The Murfreesboro native was 9-4 with a 3.63 ERA in 2023. He took over the Sunday starter spot as a freshman, getting the first opportunity and never giving it up. He was 8-1 with a 2.72 ERA as a freshman in 2022. Beam has 44 walks in 160⅓ innings.

Tony Vitello has options for the third starter spot

After Russell and Beam, UT has options but the starting choice likely will depend upon who pitches out of the bullpen in the first two games.

Sechrist is the returning option in the weekend rotation. He is 6-1 with 1.95 ERA in 48 career appearances with 23 starts as a midweek starter.

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Snead is a hard-throwing Wichita State transfer who was 1-2 with a 3.16 ERA as a freshman. Causey is a submariner and a transfer from Jacksonville State who has pitched out of the bullpen and started in his two seasons. He was 5-4 with a 5.07 ERA last season. Schaefer and Dallas were among the heralded pitching prospects in the freshman class.

“We have a bunch of guys we want to get out of the bullpen for their first time wearing a Vol uniform," Vitello said. "What we want out of this weekend is to get better and have a good experience. If a guy can just get out there and wear a Vol uniform for the first time and just compete, it’ll make everyone better and put a smile on our face.”

Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.