KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee pitcher Cam Appenzeller earned Perfect Game Freshman All-America honors, the outlet announced on Thursday.
The Chatham, Illinois, native, was named to the second team as a relief pitcher after an impressive freshman campaign for the Volunteers. Appenzeller is the 28th Tennessee player in program history to earn Freshman All-America status.
With his selection, the Vols have had at least one player named a Freshman All-American in each of the last six years with nine total players being recognized in that span, including six pitchers.
Appenzeller compiled a 6-1 record with a 4.76 ERA and 1.15 WHIP over 20 appearances, including two starts. The highly touted left-hander also recorded a save and totaled 64 strikeouts over 56.2 innings pitched, a mark that led all relievers and ranked fourth overall on the team.
Appenzeller quickly stood out as one of Tennessee’s most talented arms early in the season and wasted no time making a name for himself in conference play. He began league play with four straight scoreless relief outings and posted 21.2 consecutive shutout innings before surrendering his first run in an SEC contest.
Four of Appenzeller’s six wins on the year came against SEC foes, including the Vols’ first round SEC Tournament victory against South Carolina. The SEC All-Freshman Team selection held the Gamecocks to three runs and finished with five strikeouts over five innings of work in his first start against a conference foe.
Appenzeller finished his freshman season on a high note, as well, striking out five in 2.2 scoreless innings of relief against VCU in the NCAA Chapel Hill Regional, retiring all eight batters he faced in the game.
Appenzeller has been invited to take part in the USA Collegiate National Team Training Camp later this month.
The full 2026 Perfect Game Freshman All-America teams can be seen HERE.
