Cleveland High School graduate Camden Sewell pitches for Tennessee during Game 2 of an NCAA regional against UNC Wilmington on June 1 in Chapel Hill, N.C.Camden Sewell's dream of helping the University of Tennessee baseball program back to national relevance became an instant reality.
For the first time since 2005 the Volunteers returned to the NCAA tournament, and a 6-foot-5 right-handed freshman pitcher from Cleveland High School played a significant part in their 40-win season.
Sewell had a hand in four of Tennessee's 10 pitching shutouts - second-most in the country behind UCLA.
Former Cleveland High School standout Camden Sewell's pitching this season helped the Tennessee baseball program back to the national stage as the Vols made the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2005.His two-inning save at Florida on May 11 helped secure a spot in the Southeastern Conference tournament, and the next weekend his strong relief work against Ole Miss solidified a spot in the NCAA regionals. As a starter on June 1, Sewell allowed only one run and struck out four in 4 2/3 innings in a 10-3 regional win over UNC Wilmington.
"My freshman season was everything I dreamed of," Sewell said recently. "I was very fortunate to have an opportunity to help the team succeed and enjoyed every moment. But the real credit should go to the older guys, who laid the foundation of this program. They really took us underclassmen under their wing and showed us what needed to be done and put Tennessee back on the map."
Following the lead of staff ace Garrett Stallings, who threw two shutouts and walked only 16 batters in 102 2/3 innings, Sewell also made it tough for opposing batters, who hit just .185 off him. No other Tennessee pitcher with more than 20 innings had a lower opponents' average.
Mixing solid changeups and curveballs with a lively low-90s fastball and an "out pitch" slider, Sewell compiled a 4-1 record, a 2.18 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. In 20 appearances he struck out 43 batters in 45 1/3 innings. He threw only two wild pitches and allowed just two stolen bases in six attempts.
"I really trusted my defense, and they made huge plays behind me. They deserve a lot of credit," Sewell said. "Everyone pushed each other to be great, and it led to a very special season."
The Vols finished with the third-best fielding percentage in the SEC and were second in double plays turned.
By winning their first 15 games and being ranked as high as No. 18 in the country, they jumped back into the national conversation in Tony Vitello's second year as coach. The Vols made the NCAA postseason for the first time since JP Arencibia, Chase Headley and Luke Hochevar led the program to 46 wins and its fourth College World Series appearance.
"The goal for the future is to win a national championship," Sewell said. "We are thrilled about the season we had, but we have more work to do. All the blood, sweat and tears spent in the offseason becomes well worth it when you are playing beside your brothers in battle."
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.