Drew Gilbert returns to Tennessee’s starting lineup against Notre Dame

No. 1 Tennessee (57-8) is hosting Notre Dame (39-16) in the best-of-three series finale of the NCAA Tournament Knoxville Super Regional Sunday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

Outfielder Drew Gilbert is returning to Tennessee’s starting lineup against the Fighting Irish.

Gilbert was ejected in game No. 1 Friday and was suspended for Saturday’s contest.

In the fifth inning Friday, Gilbert was ejected for arguing a strike call. Tennessee pitching coach Frank Anderson was also ejected for arguing the call.

Umpire crew chief Billy Van Raaphorst released a statement to Mike Wilson of the Knoxville News Sentinel regarding Gilbert’s ejection.

“Tennessee #1 Drew Gilbert argued several pitches during the top of the second inning, steaming in from cente rfield. To begin the next inning, I talked to the player between innings, warning him to direct his comments only to his team, not our crew or the other team. He said OK and that he just gets excited.

“During the fifth inning following strike one, Tennessee batter Gilbert yelled an expletive, followed by another expletive as he walked out of the box and was subsequently ejected.” –Billy Van Raaphorst