Wild Things sign former Tennessee pitcher
Sechrist was winner in 2024 CWS-clinching game
Every baseball team wants pitchers who have proven they can get the job done in high-pressure, big-game situations. The Wild Things have found one such pitcher in lefthander Zander Sechrist, a former standout for Tennessee’s 2024 College World Series championship team.
The Frontier League club announced the signing of Sechrist (6-2, 192) on Monday.
Sechrist was the winning pitcher for Tennessee in the College World Series-clinching Game 3 against Texas A&M. He threw one-run ball over 5.1 innings with seven strikeouts in that game as the Volunteers won their first national championship in program history.
After his college career ended, Sechrist played last year at the Class A level in the Minnesota Twins organization and had a 4-5 record and 3.00 ERA in 36 relief appearances for Fort Myers of the Florida State League. He struck out 58 batters in 69 innings.
Sechrist played in the Arizona Fall League last October and appeared in seven games, all in relief, with a 2.45 ERA and six strikeouts in 7.1 innings.
At Tennessee, where he played four seasons, Sechrist was a starter. The Georgia native had his best season as a senior in 2024, when he went 6-1 with a 3.12 ERA and 76 strikeouts in 78 innings while playing in the rugged Southeastern Conference. Sechrist threw 6.1 innings in a Super Regional win over Florida State that sent Tennessee to the College World Series. He had a 12-2 career record with the Vols.
Sechrist is the 15th pitcher the Wild Things have announced as being signed for 2026. They also hold a club option on five other pitchers from the 2025 roster.
Spring training will begin after the Frontier League’s annual two-day open tryout and player draft April 20-21 at ForeFront Field, home of the Lake Erie Crushers in Avon, Ohio.
Washington opens the season May 7 at Windy City and the home opener will be May 15 against Schaumburg. It will be the start of a nine-game homestand.