KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A top-10 showdown between No. 8 Tennessee and No. 1 Florida is set for this Friday–Sunday at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.
Media & Broadcast Info
The first two games of the series will be streamed online on the SEC Network +/WatchESPN with Mick Gillispie (PxP) and India Chiles (Analyst) on the call. Sunday’s series finale will air live on ESPN2 as Eric Collins (PxP) and Amanda Scarborough (Analyst) call the action.
Radio coverage for the entire series will be available on Sports Radio WNML (FM 99.1/AM 990) and UTSports.com. Live stats will be available on the softball schedule page at UTSports.com HERE.
View the full series schedule below:
Friday
Game 1 | 6 p.m. | SEC Network +/WatchESPN | WNML (AM 990)/UTSports.com
Saturday
Game 2 | 2 p.m. | SEC Network +/WatchESPN | WNML (FM 99.1 & AM 990)/UTSports.com
Sunday
Game 3 | 1 p.m. | ESPN2 | WNML (FM 99.1 & AM 990)/UTSports.com
Need to Know
This weekend’s series will be the first matchup between top-10 teams in Knoxville since the 2015 NCAA Super Regionals that pitted the Volunteers against No. 9 Florida State. UT had its 20-game win streak snapped in Sunday’s series finale at No. 16 LSU after taking the first two games of the series. The Gators are atop the SEC standings while the Vols are third entering this week’s series between SEC powers.
Rolling on Rocky Top
Tennessee has been dominant at home this season with a 22-1 record at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium entering this week’s battle with Florida. The Vols have outscored opponents, 164-40, at home this year and are 6-0 against ranked teams. The Big Orange are a staggering 101-11 in regular-season home contests over the past five years.
Best of the Best
The Vols have had great success against ranked opponents this season, posting a 13-4 record against such teams. Tennessee has won 12 of its last 13 games against ranked foes after going 2-1 at then No. 16 LSU last weekend. Florida will be the ninth ranked opponent UT has faced this season. The Big Orange have 204 wins all time against ranked teams and 95 victories against teams ranked in the top-10. The Orange and White are also 13-21 all-time against opponents ranked No. 1 in the polls.
Unstoppable Force vs. Immovable Object
This week’s showdown between the Vols and Gators will pit UT’s potent offense against UF’s shutdown pitching staff. Tennessee enters the series ranked fifth nationally in scoring while leading the SEC in runs, RBIs, on-base percentage and doubles. On the other hand, Florida leads the nation with a 0.70 team ERA and 449 strikeouts.
Power Arms
The Tennessee pitching staff hasn’t been too bad itself this season, ranking 11th nationally with a 1.62 team ERA. The duo of Matty Moss and Caylan Arnold have combined for 39 wins and 266 strikeouts this season. UT, Florida and Alabama are the only teams in the conference that have two pitchers with 100 or more strikeouts each. Moss ranks fifth in the league with 143 strikeouts and Arnold’s 123 punchouts are the most by a Tennessee freshman since Ellen Renfroe had 259 in 2011.
Scouting Report
Florida Gators (44-3, 18-2 SEC)
The Gators are 9-1 over their past 10 games and boast the top record (44-3) and winning percentage (.936) in the country. They are led by their dominant pitching staff but also feature a balanced lineup that has 10 players with double-digit RBIs. Sophomore right hander Kelly Barnhill leads the pitching staff with a nation-leading 0.17 ERA and 13.1 strikeouts per seven innings. Junior first baseman Kayli Kvistad powers the offense with a team-leading .400 batting average and 42 RBIs.
UT’s All-Time Record vs. Florida: 25-47
Florida has won four straight in the series, including a sweep of the Vols in Gainesville last season. However, UT has won the last three meetings in Knoxville, sweeping UF in 2014.
Promotions/Giveaways
Check out the promotions that will be going on this weekend and throughout the season below.
All Season
– Scan to Win Challenge (For Season Ticket Holders): Every time you scan your ticket, you are entered into a drawing for two (2) tickets to the SEC Tournament (all-session tickets).
All Series
– Kids Carnival: Inflatables, Face painting and More!
– Postgame Autographs
Friday
– Happy Hour: BOGO popcorn prior to game from 5-6 p.m.
– Tennessee 811: Free water bottle for first 500 fans.
Saturday
– Senior Day: Pregame Ceremony
Sunday
– Happy Hour: BOGO soft drinks prior to game from 12-1 p.m.
– KOC Cold Pack Giveaway
Fan Information/Stadium Policies
Please be advised that the university’s clear bag policy for all of its athletic venues will be in effect for the Tennessee Invitational and every other home game this season. In order to enhance safety and expedite fan entry at Tennessee athletic events, the university is implementing new safety policies for fans bringing bags into all athletic venues.
Only one clear plastic bag no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches or a one-gallon, clear, resealable plastic storage bag per person will be permitted. Fans will also be allowed a small clutch purse not to exceed 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches. Fans interested in purchasing an approved clear bag may visit the Official Team Store at Neyland Stadium, VolShop locations in the Student Union, 17th & Cumberland Avenue and University Commons; as well as other area retailers.
For more information on the new bag policy click HERE.
What’s Next?
The Vols hit the road to close out the regular season as they travel to College Station for a three-game series against No. 4 Texas A&M next Friday–Sunday.
-UT Athletics
