After losing Chase Dollander, Chase Burns, and Andrew Lindsey from previous starting roles, Tony Vitello had to make decisions regarding his pitching staff for 2024.
AJ Russell, who ended his true freshman season with a 0.89 ERA over 30.1 innings and earned freshman All-American honors, was a front-runner for a weekend spot alongside Drew Beam. As the season began, it was Russell’s role to lose.
Enter Zander Sechrist, a senior left-handed pitcher with three seasons of experience in the program. Sechrist began the season as a weekend starter with Russell and Beam.
However, Sechrist struggled in an early outing against Baylor, casting doubt on his future role. Despite years of midweek starts, his first SEC start was approaching. The emergence of AJ Causey and an injury to Russell shifted the focus back to Sechrist.
Those Tuesday starts helped Sechrist pitch deeper into games against top competition.
“Longevity, I guess,” Sechrist said. “But just being able to show that I can compete with SEC hitters. The Cape Cod League last summer gave me a reality check and built my confidence facing top DI players.”
Sechrist’s performance earned him a spot back in the weekend rotation.
“I think he’s evolved a lot as a player,” head coach Tony Vitello said. “He’s shown consistent improvement every year, which speaks to his work ethic and character.”
Sechrist’s confidence soared after a shutout against Georgia. He then secured the game-three starter role, but struggled in his last two starts against Florida and Vanderbilt, allowing six hits and five runs over four innings.
To regain confidence, Sechrist aimed to refine his approach.
“You just have to keep attacking,” Sechrist said.
In the final regular-season series against South Carolina, Sechrist returned to form with six innings of shutout baseball.
“Just location of pitches,” Sechrist said. “Today, hitting my spots made the difference.”
Sechrist’s six shutout innings against South Carolina, backed by three double plays, restored his confidence.
“I’ve been frustrated the past two starts,” Sechrist said. “Getting out of the first inning today made me feel like I could go the distance.”
Vitello praised Sechrist’s determination and evolution as a player, highlighting his consistent improvement.
Sechrist ended the regular season with a 4.01 ERA over 49.1 innings, a significant achievement given the higher level of competition.
Beam and Causey also contributed to Tennessee’s successful pitching season. The team finished with a top-5 ERA of 3.68 over 470 innings.
The bullpen, led by Kirby Connell, Aaron Combs, and Andrew Behnke, provided strong support, with Connell making a team-high 22 appearances.
Overall, the pitching staff’s ability to throw strikes and manage innings has been crucial, setting the stage for high-leverage situations in postseason play.
