Ryne Simpson reflects on pitching for Vols against Miguel Montero, wood bats at Smokies Stadium
Tuesday’s contest will be Tennessee’s first in-season game at Smokies Stadium since April 4, 2006. The Vols played the Tennessee Smokies, a Class-AA affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks at the time, in 2006.
The Smokies defeated Tennessee, 8-0, before 3,044 in attendance.
Freshman Ryne Simpson was the Vols’ starting pitcher. He retired the Smokies in order during the first inning.
Miguel Montero hit a home run for the Smokies off Simpson’s first pitch in the third inning.
“It was an awesome experience, great atmosphere,” Simpson told Vols Wire ahead of Tennessee’s game Tuesday at Smokies Stadium. “It was fun to see how you measure up against the best.
“I definitely think the pitchers, including myself, tried to take advantage of the wood bat experience. Nothing like getting fully rewarded for a well placed fastball in on the hands.”
Montero finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs and one run. He made his major league debut on Sept. 6, 2006.
Simpson pitched 3.0 innings, recording two strikeouts. Julio Borbón was 3-for-4 for the Vols.
Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire
Tuesday’s game between Tennessee and Tennessee Tech will be played with wood bats.
Tennessee enters Tuesday’s contest with a program record 23-game win streak. A victory for Tennessee on Tuesday would tie 2015 Texas A&M for the most consecutive wins by any SEC team in a single season with 24.
