Levi Clark was one of a handful of freshmen who found success under Tony Vitello and his program in the 2025 season. He didn’t have a defined position last season, but he carved out a role anyway. Now with a year of experience, he is ready to take on a larger role as a sophomore this season.
In 2025, Clark appeared in 51 games, mostly starting earlier in the season before SEC play. Clark hit .289 with a 1.053 OPS while collecting 10 home runs and driving in 34 runs.
Clark said he still felt prepared and believes he had a successful freshman season.
“I thought the coaches did a very good job preparing me for last year’s season, so did the seniors,” Clark said. “They really set me up for success.”
As a freshman, Clark had to adjust to the college game while also finding his role on a roster loaded with talent. While the bat was obviously a threat, he bounced around the diamond defensively, serving as a utility player for the Vols.
Clark was mainly a catcher coming out of high school. But in order to get on the field last season, he had to learn how to play other positions. He saw time at catcher, first base, left field and right field last season.
“Fortunately, I was able to hit a little bit last year, so they were kind of trying to find a place for me to play,” Clark said. “Fortunately, they gave me enough reps where I got comfortable with [playing different positions].”
With this new challenge in mind, Clark said his main goal for the summer was to get more comfortable at all of his new positions. During his time in the Cape Cod League this past summer, Clark did just that.
“I just wanted to get defensive reps everywhere; get really comfortable playing at the college level at those different places,” Clark said.
After focusing on defensive versatility in the Cape Cod League, Clark carried that emphasis into the fall, taking reps behind the plate, at first base and in the outfield until he felt full comfortable at each spot.
As the 2026 college baseball season starts, Clark says he’s ready to play wherever first-year head coach Josh Elander needs him to play.
“I honestly have no clue [where I’ll play],” Clark said. “It’s wherever the coaches think I’m a best fit at, and wherever they need me.”
Now a year older and more experienced, Clark is already feeling more confident.
“We were telling the freshmen the other day, once you come back for your second year, it’s more of a confidence and a calm about you,” Clark said. “You’ve been here before, pretty much.”
Clark also made an adjustment in the box with the help of the coaches that he believes will improve his at-bats even further this season.
“We changed my swing a little bit just with my hands,” Clark said. “We moved it a little higher, just so I could handle pitchers with ride better.”
Clark said that was a main struggle for him over the last year.
After a freshman season spent finding his place, Clark enters 2026 knowing he no longer has to. He is ready wherever that may be and to help Tennessee accomplish its ultimate goal of winning a national title.
