KNOXVILLE – A flu-like illness that swept through the Tennessee baseball team during preseason practices appears to have relented just in time for Friday afternoon’s season opener against Maryland at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
For the first time in three weeks, first-year Volunteers coach Tony Vitello expected to have a full, healthy roster at the team’s final preseason practice on Thursday.
“I can’t stop coughing, but I feel a heck of a lot better,” said Vitello, who was not immune to the sickness that affected nearly half his team. “I think the other guys do, too. Just walking through the hallways looking at their eyes, I think most guys are near 100 percent.”
Sophomore outfielder Jay Charleston said he made sure to wash his hands a lot during the outbreak. He avoided the sickness, but the 5-foot-8 speedster is grappling with an ailment of his own.
Charleston developed a gash below his left knee during the preseason. It’s an indication of how he is trying to parlay a strong summer into an increased role during his second year of college baseball.