SEC All-Freshman Team selection Chase Burns will get the starting nod Sunday in a winner-takes-all grudge match against Notre Dame.
Burns has had an exceptional year for the Vols, being their longtime Friday starter during the regular season. The 6-foot-4 RHP owns a 2.69 ERA and has struck out 98 batters on the season.
Burns will face off against Fighting Irish junior Liam Simon, who has had his work cut out for him this postseason already. Simon has a 4.67 ERA in 14 appearances this season. Notre Dame head coach Link Jarrett said Alex Roa, who threw 58 pitches against Tennessee in Game One, will be available.
Burns will be making his 2022 postseason starting debut after fellow freshman Drew Beam got the nod last Sunday against Georgia Tech. Beam did not receive much help, but struggled in his first postseason start, allowing three hits and four runs to cross in 3.1 innings of work.
Chase Dollander’s spectacular start in Game Two opened up a lot of doors for Tennessee in the bullpen Sunday behind Burns. Beam, the SEC Freshman of the Year, will be available for Sunday’s game, as will Kirby Connell and Redmond Walsh. Beam is also on the All-Freshman team and boasts a 2.72 ERA with 62 strikeouts on the year in 76 innings pitched.
