by Jay King
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – In their first game fresh off of a National Championship, the fourth-ranked BaseVols dominated Hofstra 15-0 on a run-rule. In an emotional return home, they unveiled the National Championship signs in left field and behind home plate.
Right before the game, Aaron Combs, now of the Philadelphia Phillies threw out the first pitch. This was significant because Combs was the pitcher who got the final out to clinch the National Championship for the Vols.
The significance of this was that Combs actually surprised Head Coach Tony Vitello before the game. Vitello said, “Aaron Combs came to my office today, and I thought it was his brother. I had no idea he was going to be here. So that was kind of a last-minute thing too, and we wanted to honor him. And also kind of felt like a good finally put the thing to rest. Is kind of what you’re getting at is he threw the last pitch of last season, and the first pitch today.”
The Vols had an offensive, and defensive masterclass, as they scored 15 runs, and only allowed 1 hit, in which the runner was thrown out at second. The new Ole Miss transfers Liam Doyle and Andrew Fischer both were phenomenal in their Tennessee debuts. Fischer drew two walks and hit a home run, while Doyle got 11 strikeouts in five innings.
2 other home runs were hit by Shortstop Dean Curley and Left Fielder Hunter High. Many players had a positive impact offensively as Curley, Gavin Kilen, Cannon Peebles, and Manny Marin all had multi-hit games.
The series vs. Hofstra continues on Saturday, February 15, at 2 pm EST.