Baseball Preview: #1 Vols Return to Rocky Top to Face Bellarmine

Baseball Preview: #1 Vols Return to Rocky Top to Face Bellarmine

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 1/1 Tennessee kicks off a fresh five-game homestand on Tuesday evening against Bellarmine at 6:30 p.m. inside Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

The Vols are looking for their 12th midweek victory of the season on Tuesday. It would be only the third time UT has logged a dozen midweek wins in a single season since 2001.

GAMEDAY INFORMATION
For the most updated gameday information related to Tennessee baseball, please visit our Gameday Central page by clicking HERE. The baseball Gameday Central page contains info in regard to tickets, parking, stadium policies and more.

TICKET INFORMATION
Season and single-game tickets for all remaining home contests are SOLD OUT. Limited standing room only tickets will go on sale for all games 90 minutes prior to first pitch at the Lindsey Nelson Stadium ticket office.

Single-game tickets for all games can also be purchased through Vivid Seats, the exclusive resale marketplace for Tennessee Athletics, by clicking HERE.

In order to keep Lindsey Nelson Stadium as full as possible, we are encouraging season ticket holders who are unable to use their tickets for a game(s) to transfer your tickets to someone else (Instructions HERE).

BROADCAST INFO
Tuesday’s game will be streamed live on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app with Andy Brock (PxP) calling the action. The online broadcasts can be accessed on any mobile device through WatchESPN. WatchESPN can be accessed through the ESPN App, or online at espn.com/watch.

Fans can also listen to the Voice of Tennessee Baseball John Wilkerson and Vince Ferrara call the game on the Vol Network (FM 99.1/AM 990) as well as UTSports.com and the Tennessee Athletics App.

PROJECTED STARTING PITCHERS

LHP Zander Sechrist (4-0, 1.46 ERA) vs. RHP Devin Ecklar (1-3, 10.13 ERA)
 

SERIES HISTORY

Overall: Tennessee leads, 1-0
In Knoxville: Tennessee leads, 1-0
In Louisville: 0-0
Neutral Sites: 0-0
Last Meeting: W, 9-3 (April 19, 2022 in Knoxville)

Tuesday will be just the second all-time meeting between the Vols and Knights, with the first coming just three weeks ago in Knoxville. Bellarmine is in the midst of its second season of Division I competition after transitioning from Division II following the 2020 season.

NOTABLE

Kings of the East
Tennessee captured the SEC Eastern Division championship over the weekend, its second consecutive year winning the division. The Vols have claimed eight SEC East titles and won it back-to-back for the first time since the 1994-95 seasons.  
 
Leading the Charge
The Volunteers have been spectacular both at the plate and on the mound, leading the country in three pitching categories and two hitting categories. Tennessee has the top ERA (2.20), WHIP (0.93) and hits allowed per nine innings (5.91) of any team pitching, while at the plate UT holds the national lead in home runs (110) and slugging percentage (.599)

OPPONENT SCOUT

Bellarmine Knights

  • Record: 11-35 (8-16 ASUN)
  • 2021 Postseason: N/A
  • 2022 SWAC Preseason Poll: 11th
  • Head Coach: Larry Owens (9th year)
  •  Preseason Conference Honors:
    • OF Matt Higgins (1st team)
  •  Stat Leaders:
    • Batting Avg: Matt Higgins (.369)
    • Runs: Matt Higgins (55)
    • Hits: Matt Higgins (66)
    • Home Runs: Matt Higgins (19)
    • RBI: Matt Higgins (55)
    • Stolen Bases: Matt Higgins (14)
    • Wins: Pender/Braunecker (3)
    • Saves: Nick Parrish (3)
    • ERA (min. 20 IP): Nick Parrish (3.33)
    • WHIP (min. 20 IP): Gavin Braunecker (1.40)
    • Innings Pitched: Nolan Pender (73)
    • Strikeouts: Gavin Braunecker (45)
       

GAME PROMOTIONS
Gameday promotions for all Tennessee athletics home events can be found on the UT Fan Experience page by clicking HERE.

Fans are encouraged to download the My All App for their phones and devices this season. The app is available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store and will allow fans to participate in in-game trivia, the custom filter selfie cam and more throughout the year.

ON DECK
The Vols continue their homestand, welcoming No. 22/NR Georgia to Rocky Top for a weekend series starting Thursday night at 7 p.m. ET.

-UT Athletics

UT Baseball / Credit: UT Athletics

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