STAFF

TONY VITELLO | Head Coach

Tony Vitello (pronounced: vie-TELL-oh) accepted the position of head coach for the Tennessee Volunteers baseball program on June 7, 2017.

Since taking over on Rocky Top, Vitello has led the Big Orange back to national prominence and has helped establish Tennessee baseball as an SEC and national power, leading the program to its first ever National Championship in 2024 as well as five NCAA regional appearances (2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024), four NCAA super regionals (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024) and a trio of Men's College World Series appearances (2021, 2023, 2024).

A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Vitello arrived at UT following four seasons as assistant coach/recruiting coordinator at Arkansas. His rise to the head coaching ranks also included stops at Missouri (his alma mater) and TCU. He has earned a reputation as one of the elite recruiters on the college baseball landscape, having assembled 13 top-15 signing classes--including America's top-rated crop of talent in 2014 and 2024.

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During a full-time, Division I coaching career spanning 21 years, Vitello has signed and developed 12 first-round MLB Draft picks and a handful of players who have gone on to play in Major League Baseball, including six during his time at UT in Garrett Crochet, Ben Joyce, Andre Lipcius, Trey Lipscomb, Jordan Beck and Seth Halvorsen. Other notable MLB players coached by Vitello include Brandon Finnegan, Kyle Gibson, All-Star Aaron Crow, Gold Glove Award winner and All-Star Andrew Benintendi, Gold Glove Award winner and four-time All-Star Ian Kinsler and five-time All-Star and three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer.

Vitello, who has earned six National Coach of the Year honors over three different seasons at Tennessee, has recruited and developed six first-round picks during his tenure with the Vols, including Chase Dollander, who became UT's highest-drafted pitcher straight out of college in program history when he was selected by the Colorado Rockies with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, besting Crochet, who was selected with the 11th overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft and became the first player to go from the draft to the big leagues without playing in the minors since Mike Leake did so with the Reds in 2010. UT has had two players selected in the first round in two of the past three seasons (2022 & 2024).

Tennessee has had 43 players drafted since 2018 when Vitello took over as head coach, averaging over six picks per year. Since 2021, the Vols' 33 total draft picks lead the nation.

2024 Season – National Champions, SEC Champions (Regular Season & Tournament)

Vitello and Tennessee reached the mountain top in 2024, winning the first National Championship in program history by defeating Texas A&M in the Men’s College World Series Finals. The Volunteers became the first SEC team to ever win 60 games in a season, finishing with an incredible 60-13 overall record. UT also became just the fourth program in history to win the SEC regular season crown, the SEC Tournament title and the National Championship in the same year, cementing itself as one of the greatest teams in the history of college baseball.

The Big Orange led the nation with a program-record 184 home runs, which ranks second in NCAA Division I history, just four shy of LSU’s NCAA record of 188 homers in 1997. The Vols became the first team in NCAA history to have five players hit 20 or more home runs in a single season, led by Christian Moore’s program record 34 long balls. Dylan Dreiling (23), Billy Amick (23), Blake Burke (20) and Kavares Tears (20) were the other players to reach to 20-homer mark in 2024.

Tennessee’s pitching staff was once again one of the best in the nation, as well, finishing sixth in the country with a 3.89 ERA. The Vols also finished in the top five nationally in strikeout-to-walk ratio, walks allowed per nine innings and WHIP.

The Volunteers had seven players earn postseason All-America honors, led by Burke (unanimous first-team selection) and Moore (consensus first-team selection). UT once again ranked among the national leaders in draft picks, as well, boasting eight in the 2024 MLB Draft, marking the program's most ever through 10 rounds. The eight selections were also tied for the second most in any single draft with the 2023 and 1992 teams. Moore was selected with the No. 8 overall pick, becoming the highest drafted UT player since Nick Senzel was taken No. 2 overall in 2016. Burke was also selected in the first round with the 34th overall pick.

2023 Season – Men’s College World Series

After a rocky start to conference play in 2023, Tennessee won 11 of its final 15 SEC games before embarking on an impressive postseason run to reach the Men’s College World Series for the second time in three years. The Vols secured a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Clemson Regional, before knocking off Charlotte and No. 4 national seed Clemson to advance to the program’s third straight super regional.

Once again, the Vols had to go on the road, but were able to dispose of Southern Miss in three games to book the program’s sixth trip to Omaha. UT went on to win its first MCWS game since 2001 with a 6-4 victory over Stanford, snapping a six-game losing streak in Omaha.

The Vols had a program-record six pitchers selected in the 2023 MLB Draft, led by Dollander, who became the highest drafted player in the Vitello era after going No. 9 overall to the Colorado Rockies. In total, Tennessee had eight players chosen in the 2023 draft, which was tied for the second most in program history.

2022 Season – SEC Champions (Regular Season & Tournament)

Tennessee cemented its reemergence as an SEC and national power in 2022, setting a then-program record with 57 victories en route to winning SEC Regular Season and SEC Tournament titles.

The Volunteers achieved the program’s first No. 1 national ranking in any poll in week six of the season before settling in as the unanimous top-ranked team in week seven. UT was ranked No. 1 in at least one poll during 12 weeks of the season and spent 10 weeks as the nation’s unanimous top-ranked team.

The Vols led the nation in numerous statistical categories while setting a handful of program records along the way, including new marks for home runs (158), runs scored (613), RBIs (574), slugging percentage (.604), ERA (2.51), WHIP (1.00), opponent batting average (.199), strikeouts (695), strikeouts/nine innings (10.5) and walks allowed/nine innings (2.48), among others.

UT was one win away from making its second consecutive College World Series appearance but fell to Notre Dame in the Knoxville Super Regional. However, the Big Orange won both the SEC Regular Season and SEC Tournament championships for the first time since 1995. The Vols won the SEC Regular Season title by six games, and the eastern division crown by 10 games, both of which are the largest margins in conference history.

Tennessee became the first NCAA Division I team since at least 1972 to lead the country in both home runs and ERA. The Vols’ 158 long balls shattered the previous program record of 107 while ranking fourth in NCAA Division I history, including the most by any team in the BBCOR bat era (since 2011). UT also led the country in runs scored (613), slugging percentage (.604), strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.24), WHIP (1.00), walks allowed/nine innings (2.48) and winning percentage (.864).

Vitello was named the Perfect Game National Coach of the Year for the second season in a row and was also tabbed as the Southeast Region Coach of the Year by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA). The Vols set a program record with nine players earning postseason All-America honors, including four first-team selections, which was also a school record. Tennessee had four players earn Freshmen All-America honors, as well.

UT's 2022 record-breaking season was followed by an equally impressive showing in the 2022 MLB Draft, as a program-record 10 Vols were selected, ranking second among all schools nationally and first in the SEC. Outfielders Drew Gilbert and Jordan Beck were both taken in the first round, giving Tennessee multiple first rounders for the first time since 2007 when three Tennessee players were selected in the opening round. The Vols became just the fourth SEC team to have 10 or more players chosen in the first 20 rounds of any MLB Draft, joining the likes of Mississippi State, Texas A&M and Vanderbilt.

2021 Season – Men’s College World Series, SEC Eastern Division Champions

Tennessee continued its ascension through the college baseball ranks during an historic 2021 season. Vitello's Vols won 50 games for just the third time in program history, finishing with a 50-18 record while advancing to the College World Series for the first time since 2005. UT also hosted an NCAA regional for the first time since 2005 and hosted its first-ever super regional, sweeping LSU to punch its ticket to Omaha for the fifth time in program history. Tennessee's 50 wins were tied for the most in the country in 2021.

Under Vitello’s guidance, Tennessee won its first SEC Eastern division title since 1997 after posting a 20-10 record in league play and winning eight of its 10 conference series, including all five series on the road for the first time ever. The Vols also made their first appearance in the SEC Tournament Championship game since 1995 and advanced to back-to-back NCAA regionals for the first time since 2004 and 2005.

Vitello was named the 2021 National Coach of the Year by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and Perfect Game, becoming just the second head coach in program history to earn that honor, joining legendary Vols’ skipper Rod Delmonico, who was named National Coach of the Year by Baseball America in 1995. Delmonico led Tennessee to three of its previous four trips to the MCWS (1995, 2001, 2005) and is the program’s career leader in wins with 699 during his time on Rocky Top. With an 11-6 win over Georgia on March 19, Vitello became the fastest head coach in program history to win 100 games with the Vols, overtaking Delmonico’s mark of 163 games. Vitello needed just 153 contests to accomplish the feat.

Tennessee was ranked for the entire 2021 season and checked in as high as No. 2 in the polls on multiple occasions—the program's highest ranking ever at the time. The Vols set a program record with 16 road victories and hit 98 home runs—second most in school history at the time. UT also had five players earn All-America honors in 2021, another program record until it was broken during the 2022 season.

For the third year in a row, Tennessee was also well-represented in the MLB Draft. UT's seven total picks were tied for the sixth most among Division I programs.

2020 Season

After leading the program back to the NCAA Tournament in 2019, Vitello and the Vols looked poised to take another step forward in 2020 after a strong start to the season. The Vols were ranked as high as No. 11 in the nation after a 13-0 start to the year and were 15-2 heading into SEC play before the season was halted on March 12 and eventually canceled due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. UT's No. 11 national ranking was its highest since being ranked No. 11 in the 2007 preseason poll.

Prior to the season being canceled, Tennessee led the country in total runs (180) and runs per game (10.6) while ranking second in home runs (31), slugging percentage (.556), walks (124), on-base percentage (.442) and WHIP (0.94). The Vols were also among the national leaders in a handful of other statistical categories. Entering SEC play, 14 different players on Tennessee's roster had hit a home run, more than any other team in the nation.

The highlight of the shortened 2020 season was winning the inaugural Round Rock Classic in Round Rock, Texas. The Vols swept a loaded field that included No. 1 Texas Tech, Houston and No. 25 Stanford, outscoring those three teams by a combined score of 21-8. UT's 6-2 win over the Red Raiders to open the tournament was the program's sixth victory over a top-10 team and second over a top-ranked team since Vitello took over prior to the 2018 season.

In June's MLB Draft (shortened to five rounds), Tennessee had three players selected, which was tied for second most in the SEC and fifth most in the nation. Crochet became the program's 17th first-round pick and the first under Vitello at Tennessee, going No. 11 overall to the Chicago White Sox. Alerick Soularie was taken in the second round by the Minnesota Twins and Zach Daniels was selected in the fourth round by the Houston Astros, giving UT three picks in the first four rounds for the first time since 2007.

2019 Season – NCAA Chapel Hill Regional

Tennessee took a major step forward as a program during Vitello's second season at the helm in 2019. The Vols went 40-21 overall and 14-16 in SEC play to finish third in the Eastern Division, the program's highest finish since 2005. Vitello led the Big Orange to their first NCAA regional since 2005, ending a 13-year drought.

The Vols exploded out of the gates in 2019 with the best start in program history, winning their first 15 games of the season. UT also won five series in SEC play (most since 2005) and finished the year with 26 victories over non-conference teams (most since 2000).

Tennessee was ranked in the Top 25 for 10 weeks, due in large part to having one of the nation's top pitching staffs and defensive teams. The Vols tied the program record with 10 shutouts (second in the country) and also finished among the national leaders in strikeout-to-walk ratio (ninth), WHIP (10th), walks allowed/nine innings (14th), ERA (19th) and fielding percentage (14th).

Tennessee also had six players selected in the 2019 Major League Baseball Draft, tying the most since 2015. Andre Lipcius (third round), Garrett Stallings (fifth round), Andrew Schultz (sixth round), Zach Linginfelter (ninth round), Ricky Martinez (18th round) and Jay Charleston (26th round) were all among those picked.

2018 Season

In his first season at Tennessee, Vitello led the Vols to a 29-27 overall record and engineered an impressive turnaround from the year prior in SEC play. After winning just seven conference games in 2017, Vitello helped lead UT to 12 wins and three series victories in league play, including a sweep of Alabama and series victories over ranked foes Texas A&M and Kentucky. UT posted a 9-6 record at home in league play, which was the program's best since 2005.

Prior to Tennessee

Arkansas stood among the most competitive programs in the nation during Vitello's four seasons in Fayetteville, averaging nearly 38 wins per year, winning 40 or more games three times, appearing in three NCAA regionals and advancing to the 2015 College World Series.

Vitello coached 22 Razorbacks who were selected in four MLB Drafts.

Vitello's tenure with the Razorbacks was preceded by three seasons as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at TCU (which was a member of the Mountain West in his first season [2011] before joining the Big 12). Prior to that, he was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Missouri (then a member of the Big 12) for eight years.

In his three years at TCU, Vitello lured some of the top players in the country to Fort Worth and helped the Horned Frogs to a pair of NCAA tournament appearances, including a super regional berth in 2012. The Horned Frogs started seven freshmen, recruited by Vitello, in the super regional at UCLA. His final recruiting class at TCU was ranked 17th in the country, and three student-athletes he signed also played for Team USA.

During Vitello's eight years at Mizzou, the Tigers made the postseason seven times. He served as the pitching coach, while also working with the team's hitters and serving as the first base coach during his time in Columbia. Vitello's 2008 Missouri recruiting class was ranked No. 11 nationally by Baseball America, and he helped assemble top-25 recruiting classes in three of his final four years with the program.

During his time as a Tigers’ assistant coach, Vitello recruited and developed 19 players who were drafted by major league teams, including major leaguers Kinsler, Scherzer, Crow, Gibson, Nick Tepesch, Doug Mathis and Justin James.

Vitello boasts the incredibly rare distinction of having mentored both a National Hitter of the Year (Benintendi) and National Pitcher of the Year (Crow), during his coaching career. Benintendi won the 2015 Golden Spikes Award as America's top amateur baseball player while Crow claimed the 2008 Roger Clemens Award following a campaign in which he won 13 games, posted four shutouts, totaled 127 strikeouts and at one point threw 43 consecutive scoreless innings. Crow became the highest MLB Draft pick in Mizzou history when the Washington Nationals selected him ninth overall that summer.

Benintendi--drafted seventh overall by the Boston Red Sox in 2015 and the recipient of a $3.6 million signing bonus--is a prime example of Vitello's abilities in player development. From his freshman to sophomore season, Benintendi improved his batting average by 100 points and hit 19 more home runs. En route to National Player of the Year honors in 2015, he became just the third player in SEC history to lead the league in home runs and batting average. Just 421 days after being drafted, Benintendi was promoted to the Majors.

A three-year letterwinner at Missouri (2000-02), Vitello earned Academic All-Big 12 Conference honors as a senior and was named to the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll twice. Following his playing career and the completion of his management degree at Mizzou, Vitello joined the program’s coaching staff as a volunteer assistant in 2003 and completed his course work for his master's degree in business. In 2004, he was elevated to full-time assistant coach.

Vitello’s first taste in coaching was in 2002 when he served as the associate head coach for the Salinas Packers of the California Collegiate League. The Packers finished 50-14 and earned their first trip to the NBC World Series in Wichita, Kansas.

JOSH ELANDER | ASSISTANT Coach / RECRUITING COORDINATOR

Josh Elander was named an assistant coach for the Volunteers in August of 2017 after spending one season as a volunteer assistant coach at Arkansas and was promoted to associate head coach after the conclusion of his fifth season on Rocky Top in 2022.

During his seven seasons on staff, the Volunteers have made five NCAA Tournament appearances (2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024), three trips to the College World Series (2021, 2023, 2024) and captured the program's first national championship (2024) while setting numerous program, SEC and NCAA records along the way. Tennessee has also won four combined SEC Titles in that time, pulling off the double by winning the regular season and tournament crowns in 2022 and 2024.

Elander works primarily with the team's hitters and catchers while also serving as Tennessee's recruiting coordinator.

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"There are not many players that I have spent more hours in the batting cage with than Josh. His work ethic was a catalyst in making him a shining star as a player and in more recent years as a coach," Vols head coach Tony Vitello said. "His abilities as a high school All-American allowed for him to live out a recruiting experience of the utmost intensity. In the weeks that he relentlessly works on the road, it's evident that his personal familiarity allows him to relate incredibly well to our prospects and their own personal process."

Since his arrival, Elander has played an integral part in helping Tennessee sign seven top-15 recruiting classes according to Perfect Game. The Vols brought in the fifth-ranked class in 2018, the seventh-ranked class in 2019, the 11th-ranked class in 2020, the sixth-ranked class in 2021, the 13th ranked class in 2022, the fourth ranked class in 2023 and have the No. 1 rated class for 2024.

Elander has shown an innate ability to develop players and prepare them for professional baseball, having coached 25 hitters/position players that have been selected in the Major League Baseball Draft during his seven seasons on Rocky Top, including six of a program-record 10 Vols taken in the 2022 draft, headlined by a pair of first rounders in outfielders Drew Gilbert (Houston Astros) and Jordan Beck (Colorado Rockies). The Vols had five more position players selected in the 2024 draft, including two more first rounders in Christian Moore (No. 8 overall to the Los Angeles Angels) and Blake Burke (No. 34 overall to the Milwaukee Brewers). Billy Amick and Dylan Dreiling were both selected shortly thereafter to give UT four picks over the first two rounds of the 2024 draft.

Over the last five years (2019-23), Elander has coached 18 hitters that have been selected in the top seven rounds of the MLB Draft.

During his tenure, Tennessee has evolved into one of the country's top offensive teams year after year.

In its record-setting 2024 season, Tennessee reached the mountain top by winning the first national championship in program history, defeating Texas A&M in the Men’s College World Series Finals. The Volunteers became the first SEC team to ever win 60 games in a season, finishing with an incredible 60-13 overall record. UT also became just the fourth program in history to win the SEC regular season crown, the SEC Tournament title and the National Championship in the same year.

Tennessee had four position players earn postseason All-America honors in 2024, led by consensus first-team selections Burke (unanimous) and Moore. Joining Burke and Moore as All-Americans were Dreiling and Dean Curley (Freshman Team). The trio of Moore, Burke and Dreiling had a heavy hand in UT’s record-setting power numbers as the Big Orange led the nation with a program-record 184 home runs, which ranks second in NCAA Division I history, just four shy of LSU’s NCAA record of 188 homers in 1997. The Vols became the first team in NCAA history to have five players hit 20 or more home runs in a single season, led by Moore’s program record 34 long balls. Dreiling (23), Amick (23), Burke (20) and Kavares Tears (20) were the other players to reach to 20-homer mark in 2024.

Despite losing all nine position starters from the record-setting 2022 team, Tennessee was still one of the nation's top power hitting teams in 2023, finishing sixth in the NCAA with 126 home runs and 19th in slugging percentage (.522).

In 2022, the Vols led the nation in numerous statistical categories while setting a handful of program records along the way, including new marks for home runs (158), doubles (156), runs scored (613), RBIs (574), slugging percentage (.604), walks (388) and total bases (1,380). Tennessee's 158 homers shattered the previous program record of 107 and ranked fourth in NCAA Division I history, including the most by any team in the BBCOR bat era (since 2011). UT also led the country in on-base percentage (.419), runs scored (613) and slugging percentage (.604) in 2022.

After having one of the most productive offenses in the nation during the pandemic shortened 2020 season, the Vols were one of the SEC's most dangerous teams at the plate again in 2021 on their way to winning the SEC Eastern division title for the first time since 1995 and making their first trip to the College World Series since 2005. Tennessee finished the season ranked among the top 25 nationally in runs scored (7th - 475), hits (2nd - 657), doubles (3rd - 134), home runs (4th - 98) and walks (5th - 336).

Despite playing in the nation's toughest conference, Tennessee's offensive production actually increased during Southeastern Conference play in 2021. In conference only games, the Big Orange led the league in runs scored (200), doubles (59) and RBIs (186) while also ranking in the top five in batting average (3rd - .274), slugging percentage (2nd - .467), on-base percentage (2nd - .377), hits (3rd - 287), triples (t-5th - 4), home runs (3rd - 45), total bases (2nd - 489), walks (2nd - 148), hit by pitch (5th - 31) and stolen bases (5th - 26).

Tennessee's 98 home runs were the second most in a single season in program history at the time. Five different players hit double-digit homers and 10 players finished the year with multiple long balls.

After showing significant offensive improvement in 2019, the Big Orange were putting up historic numbers through 17 games in 2020 before the season was cut short due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) global health crisis.

Prior to the season being canceled, Tennessee led the country in total runs (180) and runs per game (10.6) while ranking second in home runs (31), slugging percentage (.556), walks (124) and on-base percentage (.442). The Vols were also among the national leaders in a handful of other statistical categories, including: batting average: .320 (fifth), doubles: 43 (sixth) and hts: 193 (third).

Through 17 games, 14 different players on UT's roster hit a home run, more than any other team in the nation. Nine players had multiple homers, led by the trio of Alerick Soularie (five), Zach Daniels (four) and Connor Pavolony (four). Pavolony, who Elander worked with closely in the batter's box and behind the plate, showed huge improvement as a sophomore in 2020. In 12 games played, the Georgia native was batting .342 with three doubles, four homers, 12 RBI and a .737 slugging percentage after hitting just .228 with two homers and 17 RBI in 44 games played in 2019.

Elander was also part of the coaching staff that helped lead Tennessee to the NCAA Chapel Hill Regional in 2019, the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2005. The Vols went 40-21 overall and 14-16 in SEC play to finish third in the Eastern Division, the program's highest finish since 2005. UT's offensive production saw a significant increase in 2019. The Vols scored 378 runs, had 173 extra-base hits, hit 53 home runs and had a slugging percentage of .407, all marks that were the highest since 2010. Tennessee was one of the country's most proficient base stealing teams as well, leading all Power 5 programs with 108 stolen bases this season. Junior speedster Jay Charleston finished the year with 41 steals, becoming the first SEC player to steal 40-plus bases in a season since VFLs Chris Burke (49) and Stevie Daniel (46) both accomplished the feat back in 2001.

As hitting coach, Elander also played a large part in helping mold some of UT's top offensive players, most notably junior infielder Andre Lipcius. During Elander's two seasons at Tennessee, Lipcius' numbers have increased dramatically across the board, most notably in the power category. After having just 14 extra-base hits and one home run as a freshman, Lipcius had 18 extra-base hits and seven homers as a sophomore before a breakout junior campaign that saw him finish with 32 extra-base hits, including a team high 17 home runs, the most by UT player since 2009. Lipcius also set career highs in runs scored (51), hits (73), doubles (15), RBI (58), slugging percentage (.586), walks (31), on-base percentage (.399) and stolen bases (10) in 2019 en route to earning ABCA All-South Region honors. The Virginia native was drafted by the Detroit Tigers with the 83rd overall pick in the third round of the 2019 MLB Draft, becoming just the fourth Tennessee player to be taken in the first three rounds since 2010.

In his first season as a full-time assistant coach, Elander helped the Vols improve their offensive numbers across the board from 2017. UT saw increases in its season totals in runs, hits, home runs, extra-base hits, RBI, slugging percentage, walks and on-base percentage in 2018 despite losing their top two hitters from 2017. Tennessee increased its runs per game from 4.92 to 5.27 and scored six or more runs 25 times. The Vols also had 18 more extra-base hits than they did in 2017, including nine more home runs.

Prior to joining Vitello's staff at UT, Elander was part of an Arkansas team that went 45-19 and hosted an NCAA Regional in 2017. He helped lead one of the most potent offenses in the SEC as the Razorbacks led the conference and ranked ninth nationally with 83 home runs in 2017. The Hogs also ranked among the top three in the SEC in batting average, runs scored, RBI, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, triples and total bases. Elander played a large role in working with Arkansas' catchers and helped develop Grant Koch into a first team All-SEC selection. Koch also earned a spot on the USA Baseball Collegiate National team.

Prior to joining Arkansas' coaching staff in 2017, Elander spent the 2016 season as a student assistant at his alma mater TCU, where he was able to complete his degree in communications while helping the Horned Frogs reach their third consecutive College World Series. During his time at TCU, Elander helped mentor sophomore catcher Evan Skoug, who was a semifinalist for the Johnny Bench Award and was invited to join the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team.

Elander had a decorated playing career himself during his time at TCU from 2010-12. He hit .333 with 39 doubles, seven triples, 18 home runs and 114 RBIs over 169 games during his three seasons in Fort Worth. Elander earned Freshman All-America honors from Louisville Slugger and Ping!Baseball in 2010 after batting .356 with 69 hits, 16 doubles, four triples, two home runs and 33 RBI in 59 games while helping TCU reach the College World Series.

After taking over as the Horned Frogs starting catcher as a sophomore, Elander earned a spot on the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team. Under the guidance of Vitello, who was TCU's hitting coach from 2011-13, Elander started all 62 games and posted careers highs with 70 hits, 11 home runs and 43 RBIs en route to earning all-conference and Capital One Academic All-America honors in 2012.

Elander was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the sixth round of the 2012 MLB Draft and spent parts of four years in the Braves and Arizona Diamondbacks minor league systems. Elander's best season came in 2013 when he was named the Atlanta Braves Minor League Player of the Year and also won the Atlanta Braves Hank Aaron Award, which is presented annually to the organization's top hitter in the minor leagues. During his professional career, Elander hit .273 with 21 homers and 135 RBIs through 222 games.

Elander is a native of Round Rock, Texas and earned his Bachelor's degree in communications from TCU in 2016. He lives in Knoxville with his wife, Brittany, and their two daughters, A.J. and Maxie.

FRANK ANDERSON | ASSISTANT Coach / PITCHING

Two-time national champion Frank Anderson joined the Tennessee coaching staff in June of 2017 and has been a integral part of Tony Vitello's staff for seven seasons.

During that time, Anderson has played an instrumental role in helping build the Volunteers into one of the nation's elite college baseball programs. Since his arrival, UT has made five NCAA Tournament appearances (2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024), three trips to the College World Series (2021, 2023, 2024) and captured the program's first national championship (2024). The Vols have also won four combined SEC Titles in that time, pulling off the double by winning the regular season and tournament crowns in 2022 and 2024.

Considered one of the premier pitching coaches in the country, Anderson brings a wealth of experience as both an assistant and a head coach at the NCAA Division I level. Prior to his successful stint as pitching coach at Houston, Anderson served as head coach for Oklahoma State for nine seasons (2004-12), leading the Cowboys to six NCAA Regional appearances as well as a trip to the NCAA Super Regionals in 2007.

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Since joining Vitello's staff at Tennessee, Anderson has consistently assembled some of the nation's top pitching staffs. The Vols have finished in the top 20 nationally in ERA, WHIP, strikeout-to-walk ratio and walks allowed per nine innings in each of the past six seasons. Anderson has overseen some of the nation’s top pitching staffs during his 41-year coaching career. In total, Anderson’s pitching staffs have finished among the top-25 in the country in ERA 17 times, including 11 top-10 rankings.

Throughout his storied coaching career, Anderson has coached 98 pitchers that have been selected in the MLB Draft, including eight first rounders (two at Tennessee). In total, 15 pitchers were drafted during Anderson’s tenure at Houston. He also had 27 pitchers selected during his time at Oklahoma State, 15 picked while he was at Texas and 21 drafted during his 10 seasons with Texas Tech.

During his seven seasons at UT, Anderson has had 20 pitchers hear their names called in the draft, including a program record six in 2023 after having four selected in the 2022 draft. Chase Dollander became UT's highest-drafted pitcher straight out of college in program history when he was selected by the Colorado Rockies with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, besting Garrett Crochet, who was selected with the 11^th overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft.

As has become the norm under Anderson, Tennessee once again had one of the nation's most dominant pitching staffs in 2024 as the Vols posted a historic season that culminated with the program's first National Championship. The staff finished sixth in the country with a 3.89 ERA and ranked in the top five nationally in strikeout-to-walk ratio, walks allowed per nine innings and WHIP.

In his first season as a weekend starter, senior lefthander Zander Sechrist put together one of the most dominant postseasons in program history, posting a 4-0 record with a 1.57 ERA over five starts which included victories in the SEC Tournament semifinal, NCAA Knoxville Regional final and game three of the NCAA Knoxville Super Regional to send UT to Omaha for the seventh time in program history. Sechrist led the Vols to two more wins during their MCWS championship run, tossing a career-high tying 6.1 innings in a win over Florida State to send Tennessee to the championship series before striking out seven batters over 5.1 innings of one-run ball in the winner-take-all game three of the finals against Texas A&M.

Tennessee boasted one of the country’s top pitching staffs in 2023 and finished the year ranked among the top five nationally in ERA (2^nd – 3.63), WHIP (2^nd – 1.16), strikeout-to-walk ratio (2^nd – 4.03), shutouts (3^rd – 9), total strikeouts (3^rd – 738), strikeouts per nine innings (3^rd – 11.7), hits allowed per nine innings (4^th – 7.51) and walks allowed per nine innings (4^th – 2.90) while leading the Vols to their second College World Series appearance in three years. The 738 strikeouts and 11.7 strikeouts per nine innings were both single-season program records.

Anderson's pitching staff played a major part in Tennessee's record-setting 2022 season that saw the program reach No. 1 in the polls for the first time in its history and win a school-record 57 games en route to SEC Regular Season and SEC Tournament titles. Anderson was tabbed the 2022 Rawlings Pitching Coach of the Year after leading a staff that finished No. 1 nationally in ERA (2.51), strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.24), WHIP (1.00) and walks allowed per nine innings (2.48). The Vols also set single-season program records in ERA , WHIP, opponent batting average (.199), strikeouts (695), strikeouts/nine innings (10.5) and walks allowed/nine innings.

The Big Orange had a program-best five pitchers earn All-America honors during the 2022 season, led by the trio of Dollander, Chase Burns and Drew Beam. Dollander racked up the postseason honors following a dominant sophomore season, becoming the first UT player to be named SEC Pitcher of the Year and earn consensus first-team All-America honors since Luke Hochevar in 2005. Burns also brought home numerous national awards after being named the D1Baseball.com National Freshman of the Year, the NCBWA Freshman National Pitcher of the Year and the Collegiate Baseball Co-Freshman National Player of the Year, on top of earning All-America and Freshman All-America recognition. Beam had an equally impressive debut campaign and was named the SEC Freshman of the Year on top of earning All-America and Freshman All-America honors. Relievers Ben Joyce and Redmond Walsh also garnered All-America status from the NCBWA in 2022.

In 2021, Anderson's pitching staff once again ranked among the nation's best as the Vols won the SEC Eastern division title for the first time since 1997 and advanced to their first College World Series since 2005. The Big Orange finished the season ranked top 10 in the country in ERA (10th - 3.51), strikeout-to-walk ratio (2nd - 3.63), WHIP (5th - 1.16) and walks allowed per nine innings (3rd - 2.49).

Under Anderson's guidance, three UT pitchers earned All-America honors: Chad Dallas (ABCA & NCBWA), Sean Hunley (Baseball America) and Blade Tidwell (Freshman AA - D1Baseball & Perfect Game).

Dallas had a breakout year as Tennessee's Friday-night starter. The junior right hander finished the season with an impressive 11-2 record while leading the team with 122 strikeouts. His 11 wins were tied for sixth most in the country and also tied for the sixth most in a single season in program history. His 122 punchouts ranked sixth in program history for a single season, as well, and were the most by a Vols' pitcher since James Adkins had 133 in 2007.

Hunley emerged as UT's top bullpen arm as a senior in 2021, leading the team with a program-record 35 appearances while racking up a career-high nine saves and tying a career high with seven victories to earn second team All-America honors from Baseball America. His nine saves were tied for the fifth most in a single season in program history. Hunley also finished third on the team with a career-best 77 strikeouts in 72.1 innings pitched.

Tidwell became the 20^th Vol to earn Freshman All-America honors in program history and was a staple in Tennessee's weekend rotation from the start of the season, leading the team with 18 games started. His 3.74 ERA was the lowest among Tennessee's starting pitchers while his 10 wins and 90 strikeouts both ranked second on the team. Tidwell was named to the SEC All-Freshman team, as well, and recorded an impressive 10-3 record in 2021. His 10 victories were tied for the second most by a freshman in program history.

After leading one of the country's top pitching staffs in 2019, Anderson's group of arms was on pace to be one of the nation's best once again in 2020 before the season was cut short due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Through 17 games in 2020, the Volunteers ranked among the top 25 in the nation in a handful of statistical categories, including: WHIP (0.94 - second), ERA (2.00 - fourth), hits allowed/nine innings (6.41 - 16^th), shutouts (three - 12^th), strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.89 - third) and walks allowed/nine innings (2.06 - third).

UT was able to post those impressive numbers despite missing three key pieces to its pitching staff for the majority of the year. Junior left hander Garrett Crochet, the expected ace of the staff, made just one start due to arm soreness. Crochet went on to become the 11th overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft in June and became the first player to go from the draft to the big leagues without playing in the minors since Mike Leake did so with the Reds in 2010. Crochet made six appearances for the Chicago White Sox during the 2020 season, including one postseason outing. In those six games, he did not allow a single run and gave up just three hits while racking up 10 strikeouts in 6.2 innings of relief.

Another possible starter and key reliever, Camden Sewell, also only made one appearance in 2020 while senior reliever Will Heflin had yet to make his season debut after recovering from a knee injury sustained in the fall. As a result of the aforementioned injuries, Anderson had a chance to develop and utilize plenty of newcomers and untested arms. The duo of Chad Dallas and Jackson Leath, who both joined the Vols from the junior college ranks, combined to go 7-0 on the year. Leath's four victories were tied for first in the SEC and second in the country at the time of the season being canceled.

With Crochet out, Dallas slid into the role of Tennessee's Friday-night starter and was exceptional. The sophomore right hander allowed just one hit over five shutout innings in his UT debut in the season opener against Western Illinois. He followed that up with a career-high eight strikeouts in 5.0 innings of work to lead the Vols to a massive win over then No. 1 Texas Tech at the Round Rock Classic. Dallas finished the year with a 3-0 record and 2.53 ERA,

Junior righthanders Sean Hunley (16.2 IP, 0.54 ERA, three saves) and Redmond Walsh (11.2 IP, 0.00 ERA, two saves) were also off to great starts under Anderson's guidance in 2020. The pair combined for five saves and allowed just two runs over 28.1 innings pitched. They also combined for 24 strikeouts and issued just four walks.

Tennessee's pitching staff took a giant leap forward in 2019 and was one of the nation's best throughout the year, helping lead the UT back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005. Under Anderson's guidance, the Vols tied a program record with 10 shutouts (including three in conference play), racked up 551 strikeouts (second most in program history) and set a new program record in strikeouts per nine innings (9.16). UT had a 3.59 ERA and held opposing hitters to a .239 batting average (lowest since 1996). At season’s end, UT’s pitching staff was ranked among the Top 25 nationally in shutouts (second), strikeout-to-walk ratio (ninth), WHIP (10^th), walks allowed per nine innings (14^th) and ERA (19^th).

The Vols got off to the best start in program history by winning their first 15 games of the year, due in large part to the pitching staff that posted shutouts in each of their first four games while not allowing a run for 41.0 consecutive innings to begin the season, both program records.

Junior starter Garrett Stallings completely transformed himself in the offseason and developed into Tennessee's unquestioned ace, leading the team with a career-high eight victories and 106 strikeouts. Stallings was named the SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year and earned a spot on the SEC All-Defensive Team. The Chesapeake, Va., native was also named SEC Pitcher of the Week twice, becoming the first Vol to accomplish that feat since James Adkins in 2007, after throwing two complete-game shutouts in SEC play to lead UT to wins over No. 2 Georgia and No. 15 Ole Miss. Stallings (fifth round) as well as fellow junior pitchers Andrew Schultz (sixth round) and Zach Linginfelter (ninth round) were all selected on Day 2 of the 2019 MLB Draft.

Redshirt sophomore Redmond Walsh also had a breakout 2019 campaign under Anderson. The crafty lefty developed into Tennessee's closer and set career bests in ERA (1.38), appearances (27), wins (two), saves (nine), innings pitched (45.2), strikeouts (48) and opponent batting average (.232).

In Anderson's first season at Tennessee, he helped lead the Volunteers to a five-win improvement in SEC play as the team won 12 conference games for the first time since 2014. Under Anderson's guidance, true freshmen pitchers Sean Hunley, Garrett Crochet and Chase Wallace had solid debut seasons. Hunley led the team with a 2.64 ERA and a 7-3 record after becoming the first freshman in program history to start a season 6-0. Crochet finished the year tied for second on the team in wins with five and was second in the team with 62 strikeouts while spending time as a starter and a reliever. Wallace was third on the team with a 2.86 ERA and led the team with three saves on the year.

Junior starter Will Neely also emerged as a consistent weekend starter for the Vols, going 4-2 while tying for the SEC lead with three complete games on the year. Neely pitched at least five innings in 12 of his 14 starts on the year and led the team with 83.2 innings pitched.

During Anderson’s tenure at Houston, he helped lead the Cougars to three NCAA Tournaments, including an NCAA Super Regional in 2014. UH played in four consecutive American Athletic Conference Tournament championship games, taking home the title in 2014 and 2017.

Prior to his stint as an assistant at Houston, Anderson spent nine seasons as the head coach at Oklahoma State and helped lead the program to six NCAA regional appearances. During his first season at OSU, he led the Pokes to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2001. He also guided OSU to the Big 12 Tournament Championship in 2004, its first in program history.

The 2006 season started an impressive three-year run for the Cowboys, as they posted three straight seasons of 41 or more victories. Anderson’s squad earned the No. 1 national seed in the NCAA Tournament that year, and in 2007 the program reached the NCAA Super Regionals.

Another successful season followed in 2008, with the Pokes climbing as high as No. 5 in the national rankings. Oklahoma State finished the season ranked all three years from 2006-08.

Before taking over in Stillwater, Anderson was the pitching coach on Augie Garrido’s staff at Texas for four years (2000-03). During his time in Austin, Anderson helped lead the Longhorns to three consecutive College World Series appearances (2001-03), and helped them win a national championship in 2002.

Other stops for Anderson included 10 years as an assistant at Texas Tech (1990-99), three seasons at Howard College (1987-89) and three years as an assistant at his alma mater, Emporia State (1983-85). In total, Anderson has been a part of Division I coaching staffs of teams that have advanced to 21 NCAA Regionals, seven NCAA Super Regionals and have made four trips to the College World Series.

Houston finished in the top-10 nationally in team earned run average during three of Anderson’s five seasons with the program.The Cougars had the country’s lowest regular-season ERA (2.04) and WHIP (1.00) in 2014 while also tying a program record with 48 victories and making the postseason for the first time since 2008.

Anderson’s pitching staffs were equally as impressive in 2015 and 2016, leading the American Athletic Conference and ranking among the top-10 in ERA during both seasons. Houston finished the 2016 season with a 2.48 ERA, which ranked No. 2 in the country.

While at Texas, Anderson’s pitching staffs were a key factor in the program’s three consecutive trips to Omaha. The Longhorns led the Big 12 in team ERA during each of his four seasons and finished among the top five in the nation three times. Anderson’s staffs at Texas recorded sparkling team ERAs of 2.82 in 2002, 3.17 in 2001 and 3.30 in 2000, and also posted the program's best team ERA since 1983 (2.72) and the second-lowest ERA nationally in the 2002 campaign.

Anderson is a native of Grant, Nebraska, and earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Emporia State in 1983 before going on to attain his master’s degree from the school in 1985. Prior to attending ESU, Anderson played two seasons at the University of Nebraska at Kearney and was a junior college All-American at Mid-Plains Junior College in North Platte, Nebraska.

Anderson and his wife, Sandra, have two children: a daughter Katelyn, and a son, Brett, who has spent 13 seasons as a pitcher in the Major Leagues.

ROSS KIVETT | ASSISTANT COACH

Tennessee head baseball coach Tony Vitello announced the return of Ross Kivett to his staff in August of 2024.

Kivett returned to Rocky Top as an assistant coach following three seasons at Houston, where he played a major role in the Cougars’ vastly improved offensive and defensive production throughout his tenure, earning a promotion to associate head coach in 2024.

Under Kivett’s instruction, Houston saw year-to-year increases in each of the following offensive categories: home runs, OPS, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. The Cougars were also among the nation’s top base stealing teams in 2023, finishing with 112 stolen bases after swiping 82 bags in 2022.

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UH proved to be one of the nation’s top defensive teams in 2022 and 2023, as well, with three players being named ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove finalists as the Cougars set a program record and ranked second nationally with a .984 fielding percentage in 2022. The Cougars followed that up with a .982 fielding percentage in 2023, ranking seventh best in the nation while also finishing the season ranked No. 5 nationally in double plays with 56

Kivett, an Ohio native, was a part of Vitello's initial staff at Tennessee in 2018 following four seasons in the Detroit Tigers' minor league system, and spent four seasons as UT's volunteer assistant coach and camp coordinator before taking a job at Houston.

Kivett was part of the coaching staff that helped lead Tennessee to the NCAA Chapel Hill Regional in 2019, the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2005. The Vols went 40-21 overall and 14-16 in SEC play to finish third in the Eastern Division, the program's highest finish since 2005.

After finishing the 2019 season as one of the nation's top defensive teams with a .979 fielding percentage, the Vols were even better through 17 games in 2020 before the season was cut short due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) global health crisis. Tennessee ranked 18th in the country with a .981 fielding percentage and it's primary starting infielders had committed just five errors at the time of the season being canceled.

Kivett also had a hand in the Vols' impressive offensive numbers in 2020. The Big Orange led the country in total runs (180) and runs per game (10.6) while ranking second in home runs (31), slugging percentage (.556), walks (124) and on-base percentage (.442). The Vols were also among the national leaders in a handful of other statistical categories, including: batting average: .320 (fifth), doubles: 43 (sixth) and hts: 193 (third).

One of the biggest areas of improvement for the Vols from year one to year two under Vitello's staff was the fielding and defense, due in large part to Kivett, who works closesly with Tennessee's infielders. UT set a program record and finished 14th nationally with a .979 fielding percentage in 2019 after finishing 140th in the country with a .970 fielding percentage in 2018.

Kivett also helped transform Tennessee into one of the country's most proficient base stealing teams in 2019. The Vols led all Power 5 programs with 108 stolen bases while junior speedster Jay Charleston finished the year with 41 steals, becoming the first SEC player to steal 40-plus bases in a season since VFLs Chris Burke (49) and Stevie Daniel (46) both accomplished the feat back in 2001.

In his first season on Rocky Top, Kivett helped lead an offense that saw increases in its season totals in runs, hits, home runs, extra-base hits, RBI, slugging percentage, walks and on-base percentage in 2018 despite losing their top two hitters from 2017. Kivett also oversaw the transformation of shortstop Andre Lipcius, who transitioned to the position in 2018 after starting nearly every game at first base as a freshman in 2017. Despite a rough start to the year defensively, under Kivett's guidance, Lipcius committed only one error over the final 18 games of the season and finished the season as the team's leader in batting average (.315), home runs (seven), RBI (42) and total bases (96).

Kivett was an All-American and Big 12 Player of the Year for Kansas State in 2013 before being drafted by the Tigers in the sixth round of the 2014 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. He went on to play 47 games with the Single A Connecticut Tigers in 2014, tallying 55 hits and 26 RBIs, before being assigned to the West Michigan Whitecaps where he collected 154 hits, 78 runs scored, 30 doubles and 57 RBI over two seasons (2014, 2015). Kivett was named a 2014 New York Penn League Mid-Season All-Star during his stint with the Connecticut Tigers.

In 2016, Kivett played in 118 games for the Single A - Advanced Lakeland Flying Tigers. He recorded 93 hits, including 24 doubles, while being walked 70 times for a .328 on-base percentage. Kivett started 2017 with Lakeland, playing in 41 games, before being promoted to the Double-A Erie SeaWolves in May. He went on to play in 25 games, notching 17 hits, 12 runs scored and four stolen bases during his time with Erie. Prior to joining the SeaWolves, Kivett was named a Florida State League Mid-Season All-Star for Lakeland in 2017. During his professional career, Kivett totaled 362 hits, 77 doubles, 147 RBI and 61 stolen bases.

While with the Tigers' organization, he played with former Vol Will Maddox in West Michigan and VFLs AJ Simcox and Christin Stewart in Erie.

Prior to the 2014 draft, Kivett saw time at five different positions for the Kansas State Wildcats.

During a breakout junior campaign, he led the Big 12 in hits (94) and runs (57) and finished second in stolen bases (26) and total bases (126). Following the 2013 season, Kivett was tabbed an All-American by three different outlets, earned Big 12 Player of the Year accolades, ABCA Midwest All-Region First Team honors and MVP of the NCAA Manhattan Regional. Kivett decided against turning pro after being drafted by the Cleveland Indians in 2013, and instead returned to Kansas State to play his final season of college baseball as well as earn his degree.

The All-American continued his stellar performance as a senior in 2014, becoming the first K-State player in nearly 17 years (the third in program history) to hit for the cycle when he achieved the feat on March 26 against Nebraska. Kivett cycled in reverse order, hitting a home run in the first, a triple in the second, a double in the third and a single in the sixth. He was named Big 12 Player of the Week following the series for the second time that season. Kivett capped off his career with ABCA Midwest All-Region and All-Big 12 Second Team honors. He also earned CoSIDA Academic All-District 7 Team recognition.

Kivett finished ranked among the Wildcats' top-10 in multiple categories, including first in stolen bases (80), second in games played (225) and games started (215), tied for second in runs scored (181), third in hits (277), fifth in hit by pitch (31), tied for fifth in walks (108) and tied for seventh in triples (11). He also started in 207 consecutive games, the longest such streak in Kansas State history.

A 2014 graduate of Kansas State with a degree in communication studies, Kivett is the son of Mike and Mary Kivett and has two siblings, Juliana and Jake. He and his wife, Jackie, reside in Knoxville and are expecting their first child this year.

PARKER SERRANO | STUDENT ASSISTANT Coach

Parker Serrano was designated as Tennessee's student assistant coach prior to the start of the 2024 season.

Serrano serves as the Vols' first-base coach and his other tasks include assisting with daily practices, creating video for coaches and players to review, developing scouting reports and working UT baseball camps.

The son of former Vols' head coach Dave Serrano (2011-17), Parker spent much of his adolescent life growing up in Knoxville and served as a bat boy for Tennessee as a kid. Serrano played high school baseball at the Christian Academy of Knoxville before spending two seasons playing junior college ball at Roane State Community College (2021-22), where he served as a team captain as a sophomore.

Serrano is now enrolled at UT and is working towards a bachelor's degree in sport management while he transitions into coaching.

LUKE BONFIELD | director of RECRUITING operations

Luke Bonfield joined Tennessee's staff as a graduate student manager prior to the 2020 season after a productive collegiate career at the University of Arkansas and two years of professional baseball in the independent league. He was promoted to Director of Player Development in September 2021 and moved into a new role as the Director of Recruiting Operations following the 2024 season.

Bonfield helps coach Tennessee's outfielders along with his other daily responsibilities.

During his five seasons on staff, the Volunteers have made four NCAA Tournament appearances (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024), three trips to the College World Series (2021, 2023, 2024) and captured the program's first national championship (2024). Tennessee has also won four combined SEC Titles in that time, pulling off the double by winning the regular season and tournament crowns in 2022 and 2024.

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LUKE BONFIELD | DIRECTOR OF PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

After starting his coaching career as the Volunteers’ student assistant during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Ricky Martinez returned to Knoxville to serve as the program's Director of Player Development in the summer of 2024 following one season as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at New Mexico State.

While at NM State, Martinez worked primarily with the team’s infielders and helped the Aggies to an 11-win increase from the year prior during his lone season in Las Cruces. Freshman infielder Steve Solorzano earned Conference USA All-Freshman Team honors under Martinez’s tutelage.

During his two seasons as a student assistant at UT, Martinez worked closely with the infielders while also returning to school to finish his degree. During that time, the program posted 101 wins, including a program-record 57 victories in 2022, and made their second trip to Omaha in three seasons in 2023. Martinez coached four infielders who were drafted in those two years, including Trey Lipscomb, who made his MLB debut in 2024 for the Washington Nationals.

Martinez spent one season as UT's starting shortstop in 2019, helping lead the Vols to their first NCAA Regional appearance since 2005. The Texas native hit .279 with 62 hits, 28 RBIs and a team-leading 18 doubles on the year and was one of the top defensive shortstops in the SEC.

Martinez was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 18th round of the 2019 Major League Baseball Draft and spent two seasons playing Minor League baseball with the Hillsboro Hops before deciding to end his playing career after the 2021 season.