Why Maui Ahuna did not play for Tennessee baseball vs. Florida
Maui Ahuna did not play for Tennessee baseball on Friday against Florida due to an injury, Vols coach Tony Vitello said.
The junior shortstop was a late scratch from the lineup due to an issue on the back side of his body, Vitello said following UT's 9-3 loss to Florida. The issue has lingered through the past few days.
"He’s been kind of fighting some discomfort," Vitello said. "I mentioned on the television broadcast that there was a play I thought he would make and it was kind of like, ‘Oh yeah, he’s not moving as well as he can’ and tonight it kind of reached a breaking point."
No. 8 Tennessee (21-10, 4-7 SEC) dropped the series to No. 3 Florida (27-5, 9-2) with Friday's loss. The Vols lost 6-1 on Thursday.
Ahuna is hitting .288 with five homers and 21 RBIs. Ahuna did not play in Tennessee's first eight games after UT announced it awaiting Ahuna's compliance clearance prior to its season-opening 3-1 loss to Arizona on Feb. 17.
Jake Kendro started in Ahuna's place at shortstop Friday. He was 0-for-2 with a pair of strikeouts. Austen Jaslove was the starting shortstop to open the season as Ahuna waited to receive NCAA eligibility.
Centerfielder Hunter Ensley batted leadoff, the spot Ahuna typically fills in the lineup. Ensley had a hit and a strikeout in four at-bats.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Maui Ahuna sidelined with injury in Tennessee baseball vs. Florida
