By Logan Starkey
Heading into Tennessee’s matchup against UNC Asheville, the headline was Blaine Brown playing two ways. Leaving that matchup, the headline is freshman Cam Appenzeller.
Appenzeller, a 6’5 LHP, came in to relieve Brown after just one inning. After quickly allowing two runs, the highly touted freshman settled in. He would go on to retire his last 11 batters, striking out four.
That sort of bounce back out of a freshman is a huge indicator of their nature. Appenzeller didn’t flee from the moment. Instead, he recorded his first collegiate win.
Tennessee Head Coach Josh Elander was adamant that, though Appenzeller allowed two runs, Appenzeller did not struggle.
“I don’t think he was really struggling,” Elander said. “He’s been a starter his whole life. He was attacking the strike zone. I got no issues [with his performance].”
That sort of bounce back, especially for a freshman, is a huge skill set for any pitcher to have. Appenzeller had just two seasons of experience before the Volunteers faced off with the Bulldogs on Tuesday evening, yet he pitched like a seasoned veteran.
Appenzeller admitted his issues early on were due to the speed of the college game.
“I was a little sped up,” Appenzeller said. “By the game, pitch clock, everything. I just had to slow down the game.”
Appenzeller, having the ability to recognize his issue and fix it on the fly, is a special one, and one that poises him to be a fantastic pitcher at this level.
The faith in him by Elander and the coaching staff is obvious; he’s already pitched six innings just four games into the season. In a pitching staff full of talented arms, it says a lot that Appenzeller has been trusted twice already this season.
Appenzeller is good enough to help Tennessee now, with enough room to grow into a huge asset over his four years at Tennessee. When it comes to being the next all-time Tennessee great, Appenzeler is next up.