KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee shortstop Dean Curley joined an already impressive list of Volunteers who have garnered postseason honors as the California native was tabbed a second-team Freshman All-American by D1Baseball.com.
Curley is the seventh UT player to earn postseason All-America recognition and the second to receive Freshman All-America accolades, joining pitcher Dylan Loy, who garnered the same honors from the NCBWA back in June.
was a mainstay in Tennessee’s lineup after locking down the starting shortstop job a few weeks into the year and put up impressive numbers at the plate during his debut season on Rocky Top.
A native of La Verne, California, Curley was also named to the SEC All-Freshman team after ranking among the league’s freshman leaders in numerous categories. He batted .285 with 51 runs scored, 10 doubles, 12 home runs and 50 RBIs to go along with 31 walks and nine stolen bases.
Curley is the eighth Vol to earn Freshman All-America honors under head coach Tony Vitello. UT has had at least one player earn Freshman All-America accolades in each of the last four seasons.
Curley was one of Tennessee’s most productive hitters during its postseason run that culminated in the program’s first National Championship, batting .318 with three homers and ranking tied for third on the team with 12 RBIs in 12 NCAA Tournament games. During UT’s six Men’s College World Series games, Curley hit .391 with a pair of doubles and four RBIs.
Following his stellar freshman campaign, Curley has continued to impress on the summer ball scene while playing for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team.
The complete D1Baseball.com Freshman All-America teams can be found HERE and a full listing of Tennessee’s postseason All-America honors can be found below.
