Coming off of its second College World Series appearance in three years, the Tennessee baseball program continues its upward trajectory.

The Vols were featured in an SEC-heavy top 10 in the D1Baseball Preseason Top 25 on Tuesday, coming in at No. 9.

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Tennessee was one of six conference teams inside of the top 10, joining 2023 CWS runner-up Florida (2), Arkansas (3), defending CWS champion LSU (4), Vanderbilt (6) and Texas A&M (8).

The Vols finished 44-22 overall last season, sweeping the Clemson Regional and taking two of three games against Southern Miss in the Hattiesburg Super Regional before reaching the CWS in Omaha.

Tennessee snapped a six-game CWS losing skid with a come-from-behind 6-4 win over Stanford but were eliminated by eventual champion LSU.

The Vols lost a number of key contributors from that team, including pitchers Chase Dollander, Chase Burns and Andrew Lindsey, as well shortstop Maui Ahuna and outfielder Griffin Merritt.

MORE FROM VOLREPORT: Trio of Vols named Perfect Game Preseason All-Americans

Tennessee returns pitcher Drew Beam, who went 9-4 last season with 17 starts. He totaled 88 strikeouts and a 3.63 ERA in 84.1 innings pitched.

Beam headlines a roster that will also return infielder Christian Moore, who accounted for 17 home runs, 50 RBIs, 50 walks, 66 runs, 16 stolen bases and a .444 batting average.

Tennessee was active in the transfer portal to make up for some of its losses, adding Billy Amick who was an All-ACC selection at Clemson where he hit 12 home runs, two triples, 17 doubles and 58 RBIs last season.

Amick batted .418 and finished with a team-high .778 slugging percentage.

The Vols had the No. 3 ranked transfer class and No. 11 incoming freshmen class according to D1Baseball.

Tennessee will open its season in the Shriners Children's College Showdown at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas against Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Baylor between Feb. 16-18.

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