Tennessee baseball predictions for 2024 season include a big Vols record that gets broken

Tennessee baseball is ready to go for another season under coach Tony Vitello chasing a third trip to the College World Series in the past four seasons.

The No. 8 Vols open the season Friday through Sunday with three games in the Shriners Children's Showdown in Arlington, Texas.

Here are four predictions about the upcoming season:

Blake Burke and Christian Moore break Tennessee baseball home run record

Blake Burke and Christian Moore are both on pace to break the UT record for career homers. Luc Lipcius holds the mark with 40 over his six-year career. Burke has 30 and Moore has 27 after two seasons. Burke hit 14 homers as a freshman and 16 as a sophomore. Moore hit 10 and 17 as a freshman and sophomore, respectively.

Tennessee baseball will top 100 home runs again

Sticking with the home run theme: Tennessee is going to slug the ball again. The Vols will hit 100 homers for the third straight season after setting a program-record 158 in 2022 and hitting 126 in 2023.

Burke and Moore will be a key part of that. Transfer portal additions Billy Amick and Cannon Peebles can smash the ball. Outfielder Kavares Tears mashes as well.

NCAA regionals baseball returns to Knoxville

Tennessee made its run to the College World Series in 2023 by winning at Clemson and Southern Miss. The Vols will be a regional host this season, bringing the postseason to the renovated Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

PREVIEW:What to know about Tennessee baseball starting lineup, pitching rotation in 2024 season

Tennessee hosted a regional and super regional in the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

A freshman becomes a key cog in Vols pitching staff

A.J. Russell emerged as an important pitcher for the Vols last season as a freshman. UT will have another freshman elevate into a central role. The leading candidates are lefty Matthew Dallas and righty Derek Schaefer.

Dallas posted a 0.80 ERA with 102 strikeouts in 52⅔ innings as a senior at Briarcrest Christian outside Memphis. Schaefer is a power arm with a big breaking ball from Arizona. Dallas could be a midweek starter early in the season after missing the fall with an injury. Schaefer could compete for weekend innings.

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.