Although many of today’s Tennessee baseball players had yet to reach kindergarten the last time the Volunteers qualified for the College World Series, there is not a content feeling within the roster.
Tennessee has won five consecutive NCAA tournament games, with Sunday’s 15-6 pasting of six-time national champion LSU in the super regional inside Lindsey Nelson Stadium serving as its most impressive showing of this surge. Yet minutes after the celebration on the field, Vols players were already turning their focus to the eight-team extravaganza in Omaha, Nebraska.
“Even though it was a nice celebration, it was expected,” Vols left fielder Evan Russell said Sunday night on a Zoom call. “We have a nice group of guys and a lot of guys who want to win, and I don’t think anyone wants to stop playing with each other. I don’t think anyone is ready for this to end, and I think there are a lot of guys ready to get back to work and see what Omaha is about.”
Third baseman Jake Rucker quickly echoed that sentiment, adding, “We’re going to be ready to go.”
Tennessee (50-16) learned its opening CWS opponent Monday, with Virginia advancing with a 5-2 downing of Dallas Baptist. The Vols and Cavaliers are scheduled to vie Sunday afternoon at 2 on ESPN2.