Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello named sophomore RHP Blade Tidwell the starter for Tennessee’s Friday matchup against Notre Dame in the Super Regional stage.
Tidwell earned the nod to start postseason play, pitching 7.2 strong innings against Alabama State last Friday. He allowed just three hits and zero runs against the SWAC Tournament champs.
Tennessee is getting the best version of Tidwell these past couple of weeks. The Preseason NCBWA All-American First team selection struggled out of the gates following a preseason injury, but has rounded to form as the College World Series approaches.
Georgia Southern transfer and SEC Pitcher of the Year Chase Dollander will be on the bump Saturday, in a game that is slated for 2 p.m. Dollander struggled against Campbell but looks to attack a humdrum Notre Dame offense in game two.
As for the Sunday starter, Vitello says the Vols will cross that bridge when – or if – they get to it.
“Just like Notre Dame, both of us see what reality is,” Vitello said. “You’re assured two games and if Sunday rolls around, we’ll worry about Sunday when it does. For now, we would just like to attack Friday.”
