Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee
by Nick Johnson
On Sunday Virginia Tech and Tennessee squared off in the Hokie-Smokey Classic. The two teams played an 18 inning exhibition in front of a sold out crowd at Tusculum University in Greenville, TN. It is really cool to see how popular these exhibitions have become across the college landscape.
Tennessee
Opening Lineup :
1. Hunter Ensley (CF)
2. Blake Burke (1B)
3. Christian Moore (SS)
4. Kavares Tears (RF)
5. Billy Amick (3B)
6. Dylan Dreiling (LF)
7. Reese Chapman (DH)
8. Charlie Taylor (C)
9. Ethan Payne (2B)
For Tennessee the offense was lead by Clemson transfer Billy Amick. It was quite the debut for Amick as he went 3-3 with 2 BB and 4 RBI’s. The big hit was a 3 run homer to left center. Amick has been Tennessee’s best pure hitter this fall, which is saying something with the amount of talent on their roster. After only appearing in 9 games as a Freshman, Amick had an absolutely insane second half of 2023 where he finally got consistent at bats. He finished the season slashing .413/.464/.773 with a 1.021 OPS and 32 xbh. It’ll be interesting to see how he handles playing third as he primarily DH’d and played 1B at Clemson.
Junior 1B Blake Burke had an encouraging day going 3-5 with a double and rbi. After a monstrous breakout FR season Burke didn’t quite meet the lofty expectations fans had for him slashing .280/.369/.527 with 6 doubles, 3 triples and 16 homers in 2023. Burke possesses some of best raw and game power in the nation but at times last season you saw him trying to do too much to carry a struggling offense. With a much deeper offense to protect him, I think you will see Burke have a huge season.
SO outfielder Dylan Dreiling went 2-5 with a thunderous 2 run homer that was 115 mph off the bat! Last year he was used mostly in a platoon role, starting against RHP. In 95 ab he had 13 xbh and walked more than he struck out (24/20). The draft eligible sophomore is someone who could watch their stock soar into the top 3 rounds with a big 2024.
Jr. inf Alex Perry went 3-3. The Pearl River CC transfer can really hit. Last year he slashed .376/.496/.649 with 27 xbh, while stealing 23/25 bags. He was just named the #13 JUCO transfer by Perfect Game. It’ll be interesting to see where he gets on the field at TN. The 6’4 righty played 1B and SS during the scrimmage. I expect Tennessee to get creative to get his bat in the lineup.
Tennessee Pitching:
On the mound Tennessee started Junior Drew Beam. Beam worked an inning allowing a soft lead off double then settled down getting a strikeout and a pair of flyouts.
Chris Stamos, Aaron Combs, Kirby Connell, Derek Schaffer and Zander Sechrist all threw scoreless innings.
Freshman RHP Derek Schaffer impressed in his inning of work. Armed with a 90-93 FB that plays up, a split change that he will use to both lefties and righties, a SL/CT, and a slower CB. Coach Vitello talked about him standing out in the clip below.
Wichita St. transfer Sophomore Nate Snead had a rough inning of work. in his Vol debut. While the FB velo was 94-96 he found a few barrels. He gave up 5 hits (2 HR) and 4 er with 2 K’s. The 6’2 RHP is coming off an impressive FR season where he tossed 46.2 ip, with a 3.16 era, allowing 37 h, 17 bb, while striking out 53. He will be a key piece to this Volunteer staff who lost Chase Burns to the portal.
Other Tennessee notes:
NC St transfer Sophomore Cannon Peebles went 0-4 with a BB and K. Peebles DH’d.
Missouri transfer Sophomore Dalton Bargo went 1-3 with a BB. Bargo played 1B in the scrimmage, but will see time all over the diamond as he has played OF, C, 3B, 1B and C this fall.
Junior Christian Moore got the start at SS after playing 2B all of last year. Moore was a standout SS in high school and it will be interesting to see if he can stick there.
College of Central Florida SS/2B transfer Junior Bradke Lohry missed the game with an injury.
Last years starting 3B 5th year Senior Zane Denton did not play. I have not seen him at all this fall. Something to keep an eye on.
Virginia Tech
Opening Lineup:
1. Christian Martin (2B)
2. Sam Tackett (RF)
3. Garrett Michel (1B)
4. Chris Cannizzaro (LF)
5. Eddie Micheletti Jr. (DH)
6. Ben Watson (CF)
7. Eddie Eisert (3B)
8. Gehrig Ebel (C)
9. Jake Slade (SS)
SP: Jordan Little
Virginia Tech is coming off a season where they ranked 5th in the ACC in team average. A few of their star offensive players like Sophomore SS Clay Grady missed the scrimmage, but there was still plenty of firepower as Hokies still put together 10 hits and 6 runs.
Offensively, Junior leadoff hitter Christian Martin collected two hits including a double to lead off the game. Martin is coming off an impressive sophomore campaign where he slashed .345/.455/.471 with a .927 OPS. The approach is impressive and lead to a minuscule 12.9% whiff in 2023. He looks to continue to be a big weapon at the top of the VT lineup and should be a Day 2 pick in the ‘24 draft.
6th year OF Chris Cannizzaro went 2-5 with 2 RBI hitting cleanup. Cannizaro is coming off an impressive first year in the ACC after transferring from Bucknell. Last year he slashed .337/.397/.570 with a .967 OPS and 23 xbh.
In the 6th inning RS Senior Sam Tackett and Sophomore Garret Michel went back to back off Tennessee’s new arm Nate Snead. Michel is coming off a monster FR season where he slashed .339/.465/.626 w a 1.091 OPS and 27 XBH. He has +power to all fields. The one hole is the swing and miss, as he struck out over 30% last year. If he can made adjustments and cut down on the whiff and chase you’re looking at one of the better hitters in the ACC.
On the mound Hokie arms struck out 12 Vols. Four of the 5 arms that took the bump were transfers.
Junior ECU transfer Jordan Little got the start and went 1 inning allowing 3 hits, a walk, 2 ER, while striking out 2. The 6’4 righty has a lively FB that has been up to 97. He is coming off an impressive summer in the Valley League where he sported a 1.20 era in 15 innings while only allowing 5 hits, 2 walks and striking out an impressive 28 batters. I’m really interested to see how he does at Tech as he’s had trouble getting on the field at ECU.
5th year Penn transfer David Shoemaker threw 2 innings allowing 3 hits, 2 bb, 2 er, while striking out 2.
GCU transfer RS Junior Carson Ohl threw 2 scoreless innings, walking one and striking out 2 batters.
5th year Richmond transfer Jeremy Neff threw 2 innings allowing 1 hit, 1 er, 1 bb, while striking out 2.
RS Senior Brady Kirtner went an inning allowing 2 hits, 3 er, 2 bb while striking out 3.
Credits: Photo by Go Vols 247
