How many more heroes does Tennessee Baseball have on their 2024 roster? It seems there is an endless line of Vol players that step up when their number is called and the team needs them the most.
The latest that turned up in Sunday night’s MCWS game against UNC was sophomore right fielder Kavares Tears. The Vols were locked into a pitcher’s duel going into the 4th inning with the score at 0-0 when Tears stepped up for the Vols and drilled a 3-run homer over the right field fence driving in Dylan Dreiling and Blake Burke. Tears wasn’t done at the plate as Vols were attempting to add insurance runs in the 8th inning, he smacks a double down the right field line that drives in Billy Amick.
For the night, Tears accounted for 4 of the 6 runs scored by the Vols in addition to playing solid defense as usual in his right fielder position. Tears wasn’t the only Vol that stepped up but his contributions were huge in the Vols advancing to 2-0 in the MCWS for the first time in program history.
Tears is rapidly becoming a Vols fan favorite with his clutch play and humble team first attitude. He’s a home grown talent coming from Lewisburg, Tennessee where he was a two-time Mr. Baseball finalist. He was a pitcher at the high school level which isn’t surprising given his rocket launcher arm that he routinely displays on his throws from right field. I suspect all Vol fans enjoyed seeing his family support in the stands during the TV broadcast Sunday night. Tears is coming into his own at Tennessee with 20 home runs on the season.
By the way, the Vols now have four players with 20 or more home runs on the season led by Christian Moore with 33, Billy Amick 23, Dylan Dreiling 20 and Tears with 20. Tennessee is only the second team in NCAA history to have 4 players hit 20 or more home runs. If Blake Burke, currently sitting at 19 home runs on the season, hits his 20th during the MCWS, Tennessee will be the first team in NCAA history to have 5 players hit 20 or more home runs in a season. I personally believe Blake will get that done during the MCWS as this Tennessee team seems to be destined for historic accomplishments.
