Ten was the number last time out.
Blaine Brown promptly missed the strike zone on 10 straight pitches, helping to load the bases, the last time he got an opportunity to pitch on March 3 against ETSU. But finally, his time came again on Tuesday against UNC Asheville. And it consisted of better production for Tennessee baseball.
Brown got a lone inning of work — the start — and retired all three batters he faced via groundout. It took 10 pitches, and he located the strike zone five times.
“I thought the difference with tonight was he really just slowed down,” Elander said. “He scattered a few pitches. They were basically saying, ‘Prove you can throw strikes.’ They start with the fake bunt-take to start the game. But just a little bit better presence. And I think the more he gets out there, the more he’ll continue to get better and better.”
He fell behind twice in counts, 3-1 to leadoff hitter Logan Lowe and 2-1 to Blaize Johnson, but induced soft contact groundballs to get out both times. He sat Patrick Gillen down with a grounder on the first pitch.
The resurgence began when Elander and pitching coach Josh Reynolds decided they needed to take a step back with his two-way ability to get the best version of Brown. The 6-foot-5, 207-pounder made sure that pitching would be in his future during the recruiting process — so the step back did not include removing that opportunity.
It starts with practice and reorganizing what Brown does. Some days, it means moving his baserunning drills around to the end of practice so he can work with Reynolds and the pitchers.
On game day, when Brown’s pitching, he’ll work with the early hitters and take the first group of swings in batting practice. He won’t take defensive reps in the outfield. Instead, they’ll let Brown grab a bite to eat before going through the starter routine.
“They have to do less, and sometimes they don’t want to do that because they’re wired like more and more,” Elander said. “How do I get more reps? So, I think it starts just with communication and how we go about it.”
Brown has now appeared in three games on the mound this season, all midweek starts. He’s allowed three walks and one hit across 47 total pitches. A goal is to build Brown up enough to give more options for a struggling bullpen.
“I like how the guys have thrown the ball, but we’re always looking for more, especially as we go throughout the course of the year,” Elander said. “Lefty-righty matchups. And I know so many coaches now try to get it where it’s left, right, left, right. You got to be careful with when you bring a guy in, because you might have a matchup and then you better have a guy ready right behind it. So, any more options. I challenge those ‘pen (bullpen) guys, please, give me more reasons to put you in the game. I’m all for it.”
Tennessee baseball hosts Ole Miss for another SEC series beginning April 17, where it is likely that Brown assumes his spot back in left field.
