OMAHA, Neb. — One College World Series fan from Des Moines, Iowa, is pulling for Tennessee Baseball this year for one specific reason.
"Hi, I'm Kirby Connell," she said.
The baseball fan came to Omaha to watch the College World Series with her family, and it was during last year's tournament that she realized she shared a name with Tennessee's mustachioed relief pitcher.
"I thought, 'Connell, that's an unusual name,' and then I found out his name was Kirby, and I've been a fan ever since," she said.
The two pronounce their last names slightly differently, but the identical spelling has the fan wanting some Tennessee merchandise.
"I kind of want a jersey," she said. "It's kind of funny. He's got a number one fan right here."
Since the fan arrived at Omaha without a rooting interest, she said the man they call "Vollie Fingers" has turned her into a Tennessee fan for the week.
"I am cheering for Tennessee," she said.
