OMAHA, Neb. — Tennessee graduate student pitcher Kirby Connell sported some signature cleats to match his signature mustache during Sunday's College World Series game against North Carolina at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha.
The veteran reliever has been known as "Vollie Fingers" for his curled facial hair, similar to Baseball Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers. Connell's cleats also featured a checkerboard pattern synonymous with Tennessee athletics.
Connell also came up clutch in the appearance with the Tar Heels. He entered the game to relieve Drew Beam in the top of the fifth inning with two runners on with a 4-1 Tennessee lead. He immediately forced a groundout and then picked off the runner trying to steal second before ending the inning with a strikeout to strand a runner at third and preserve a three-run lead for the Vols.
