Josh Elander compares new Tennessee pitcher to Chase Dollander: ‘The stuff is just gross’
By Luke Greco
Published:
Rutgers transfer Landon Mack received some high praise from his first-year head coach, Josh Elander, as he compared the sophomore to former Tennessee pitcher Chase Dollander.
Mack is heading into his first year with the Vols. He emerged as the best freshman pitcher in the Big Ten this past season with Rutgers, posting a 6-5 record with a 4.03 ERA in 80.1 innings. The righty struck out 70 batters and allowed just 17 walks.
Elander, who spent the past few seasons as Tony Vitello’s right-hand man, will look to keep the Vols at the top of the college baseball world, and Mack will be a big part in doing so.
“When I think of him, there is some Chase Dollandar,” Elander said on Monday morning, via Mike Wilson of VolQuest. “Just even some similarities in the delivery, but the compete factor is about as good as it gets and the stuff is just gross to be honest.”
Mack will have some big shoes to fill, as Dollander was a stud for the Vols from 2022 to 2023. He posted a 3.64 ERA, 17 wins, and 228 strikeouts in 168 innings during his time with the Vols. He was named the SEC pitcher of the year in 2022 after going 10-0 with a 2.39 ERA.
Dollander, like Mack, was also a transfer. Dollander transferred from Georgia Southern and spent two seasons with the Vols.
The Vols open their season with a 3-game series versus Nicholls starting this Friday, Feb. 13. They will roll with a weekend rotation of Tegan Kuhns, Landon Mack, and Evan Blanco, according to Elander on Monday.
