Tennessee Volunteers
Overall Rank: #7
Conference Rank: #3 SEC
Tennessee was one of the best hitting teams in the country last season, ranking 22nd in scoring with 5.81 runs per game. Losing Meghan Gregg, who hit .394 with 18 homeruns and 72 RBIs, is a huge loss, but this is a very experienced Volunteers squad that should see improvement everywhere else on the field. And for a team that won 48 games last season, even a little improvement will send Tennessee to the Women’s College World Series.
2018: 48-14, 14-10
2018 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Ralph and Karen Weekly
Key Departed Players:
Meghan Gregg, IF, .394 BA, 18 HR, 72 RBI
Scarlet McSwain, UTL, .268 BA, 8 HR, 37 RBI
Key Returning Players:
Aubrey Leach, IF, .441 BA, 25 RBI, 23 SB
Jenna Holcomb, OF, .386 BA, 6 RBI
Chelsea Seggern, IF, .330 BA, 7 HR, 66 RBI
Amanda Ayala, OF/C, .289 BA, 21 RBI
Ashley Morgan, 1B, .252 BA, 5 HR, 31 RBI
Caylan Arnold, P, 2.19 ERA, 26-6 W/L, 217.0 IP, 227 SO
Matty Moss, P, 2.36 ERA, 18-6 W/L, 151.0 IP, 123 SO
Projection:
Junior Caylan Arnold was very strong in the circle last season, posting a 2.19 ERA with a 26-6 record. With that extra year of experience, Arnold should be ready to push for All-SEC accolades. Tennessee also has a very good secondary pitcher in Matty Moss. The senior has a ton of experience and went 18-6 with a 2.36 ERA in 2018. At the plate, Aubrey Leach will be the new star of the team. She is not a power hitter, but the senior always finds a way to get on base. Last season she hit .441 and walked an amazing 48 times. She ranked eighth in the nation in on-base percentage. Chelsea Seggern will be the new top power hitter after driving in 66 runs. Players like Ashley Morgan and Abby Lockman can help replace the power hitting of Gregg. As long as the offense can be productive without Gregg, Tennessee will compete for an SEC title and make a strong push towards the WCWS.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Softball Tournament
