Tennessee Pitcher Ben Joyce Throws Fastest Pitch in College Baseball History

The Volunteers pitcher clocked in the hardest fastball in college baseball history, and second-hardest on record.
Tennessee Pitcher Ben Joyce Throws Fastest Pitch in College Baseball History
Tennessee Pitcher Ben Joyce Throws Fastest Pitch in College Baseball History /

Top-ranked Tennessee played the rubber match of their three-game set against No. 19 Auburn on Saturday in Knoxville, as the Volunteers notched their 10th series win of the season with a 5–3 victory.

The Vols continued their strong play, as the series win is another reminder that the program is a serious national title contender.

Pitcher Ben Joyce stole the show, as he turned in a strong four innings in relief, giving up only one hit and registering six strikeouts. 

But outside of the pitching line itself, the story line following the game was Joyce’s fastball. Joyce, who is known as one of the hardest-throwing pitchers in the collegiate game, threw a 105.5 mile-per-hour fastball in the top of the eighth inning. It turned out to be a record-setting pitch for the Volunteers pitcher.

The fastball was the hardest-thrown pitch ever recorded in college baseball. It was also the second-hardest thrown pitch in baseball history, second to only Aroldis Chapman’s 105.8 mph fastball at the major league level in 2010.

Tennessee is rolling along as one of the top program’s in the country, and Joyce’s pitching as a whole, but especially his fastball, is a big reason why.

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Mike McDaniel
MIKE MCDANIEL

Mike McDaniel is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated, where he has worked since January 2022. His work has been featured at InsideTheACC.com, SB Nation, FanSided and more. McDaniel hosts the Hokie Hangover Podcast, covering Virginia Tech athletics, as well as Basketball Conference: The ACC Football Podcast. Outside of work, he is a husband and father, and an avid golfer.