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• Ex-Vols set pace through minor leagues
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Kentrail Davis picked the right time to get red hot and the wrong time to suffer an injured wrist.

The University of Tennessee rising sophomore saw his stay with the USA Baseball National Collegiate Team come to an early end, thanks to a bad swing.

"He hurt his wrist swinging the bat," UT coach Todd Raleigh said. "I don't think it's anything that's serious or needs surgery.

"He just needs about 15 days rest without swinging. The big thing is he just takes a break."

Davis, a Vols' Freshman All-American, earned a spot on Team USA by hitting .450 with six home runs and 19 RBIs in 12 exhibition games.

"It's tough because he had done everything right and played so well to get to that point," Raleigh said. "I feel bad for him because he had done all the hard work to get himself to the best part of the experience and he can't take part in it."

Cal State Fullerton first baseman Jared Clark replaced Davis on roster as Team USA visits the Czech Republic to take part in the World Collegiate Baseball Championship beginning Thursday. Davis is back home in Theodore, Ala.

"He's a little upset, but he's OK with it," Raleigh said. "It's just one of those nagging things and he's back home resting it up."

Raleigh didn't have any big, uplifting news for Vol fans concerning recruit Casey Kelly either.

The baseball/football star from Sarasota, Fla., is still negotiating with the Boston Red Sox after being drafted in the first round of the major league draft.

Besides playing some quarterback for the UT football team, Kelly could have started right away at shortstop and pitcher for the Vols in 2009.

"I still anticipate him signing (with the Red Sox), but we're still hoping," Raleigh said. "We'll just have to wait and see.

"He had talked about coming here for the second session of summer school, but that didn't happen. That's still not a deal breaker, but I think it's going to be tough because I think the talks (with the Red Sox) are going pretty good."

On a brighter note, Raleigh is happy with how the 2009 non-conference schedule is coming along.

The Vols will play Oregon State, Louisville and Coastal Carolina at refurbished Lindsey Nelson Stadium. There's also a game against Georgia Tech scheduled for Chattanooga.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.