IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT’SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS MONDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And you fine Tennessee folks know exactly what that means. It’s time to climb up the ladder, walk to the edge of the diving board, and swan dive into the pool of orange and white Tennessee Vols-related thoughts sloshing around inside my brain.
1) What a massive series win for the Vols in Kentucky. Like, huge. Among the best series wins that any team will have for the season. Kentucky was 31-5 and 15-1 in the SEC entering the weekend, which earned them a #3 ranking (probably would have been #1 for any blue blood program, but still). And the Wildcats showed over the weekend exactly why they’re deserving of their ranking. One through nine through the order, that team can swat.
2) But so can the Vols, and they showed it by scoring five runs on Saturday afternoon in game two before the Wildcats even recorded an out. The Vols scored three runs across nine innings in Friday night’s opener. How they flipped the script on Saturday on the way to a 9-4 win. That game spoke a lot about the mental toughness and resilience of this team to come out after a tough loss late in front of a very loud and hostile crowd on Friday night.
3) But the real test in toughness came on Sunday in the rubber match, and how the Vols responded. After taking a 2-0 lead in the third inning on Christian Moore’s first of three home runs for the game, Kentucky seemingly took control of the game in the fourth with five runs. I was admittedly among those of little faith at that point, which shrank even more when Kentucky went up 6-2 after five.
But at that point, the Vols showed they simply won’t quit. They scored five runs in the top of the sixth to grab the lead back 7-6. Lose the lead again 8-7 in the bottom of the inning? No problem. Nothing a Moore home run can’t fix to level the score. Need a few more runs to handle a shaky bullpen? Sure, Moore can help you out. Here’s a three-run jimmy jack for a 13-9 lead. Fortunately, that was just enough to hold up to claim the series 13-11.
4) Tennessee proved they can win on the road and that they have the intestinal fortitude to win tough games. That game felt like a super regional matchup. And for all of those reasons, that series win should shine like a diamond on the Vols’ resume when Selection Monday comes around next month.
5) The NFL Draft starts on Thursday, but it should be on Friday when the first Tennessee Vol hears his name called. Jaylen Wright should be the first Vol taken, and should be among the first running backs selected. I’m guessing third round, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see him go in the second. All of Kamal Hadden, McCallan Castles, and Joe Milton should be candidates to hear their names called towards the end of the draft. Best of luck to all Vols in Detroit this weekend.
Go Vols!