KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Looking to continue its successful start to the homestand, the second-ranked Tennessee Volunteers prepare for another two-game midweek series, welcoming Charleston Southern to Rocky Top on Tuesday, Feb. 28, and Wednesday, March 1.
The Vols (6-2) had a fantastic week to kickoff the 2023 home slate, going 5-0 with a pair of victories over Alabama A&M and a weekend sweep against Dayton last week.
Tennessee’s pitching staff displayed its excellence throughout the weekend as starters Chase Dollander, Chase Burns and Drew Beam each got the victory in their nod while combining for 28 strikeouts. Once they made way for the bullpen, the game was completely locked down. A total of eight relievers came in to pitch against the Flyers and, combined, they tallied 9.2 innings of perfect baseball, with no hits or walks allowed, while striking out 15. This was headlined by Seth Halvorsen who made his first appearance on Rocky Top on Saturday, throwing 2.2 innings and earning the first save of his collegiate career.
As a whole, the pitching staff conceded just three total runs to Dayton and had an opposing batting average of .105.
On the offensive end, it was a balanced effort, but one that was lead by Blake Burke, who capped the week with a multi-homer game on Sunday. Jared Dickey was also impressive, going 5-for-13 at the plate over the weekend and scoring five runs.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets for the games are available in very limited quantities at AllVols.com.
BROADCAST INFO
Both games will be stream on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app with Andy Brock (PxP) on the call. The online broadcast 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 Vince Ferrara call the action on Tuesday and Wednesday via a free audio stream on UTSports.com and the Tennessee Athletics Gameday App.
SERIES HISTORY
Overall: Tennessee leads, 3-0
in Knoxville: 1-0
in Charleston: 1-0
at Neutral Sites: 1-0
Last Meeting: W, 8-2 (April 1, 2009, in Knoxville)
NOTABLE
PLAYING CATCH
UT has been extremely clean defensively as of late. In the last five games, Tennessee did not make an error in the field in 154 chances. The Vols had a .994 total fielding percentage, with the one error coming on a failed pickoff attempt.
DICKEY SETTING THE TONE FROM LEADOFF SPOT
Redshirt-sophomore Jared Dickey is off to another fast start this season and provided a major spark as the Vols’ leadoff hitter in their five victories last week. Dickey led the team in batting average (.444), on-base percentage (.500), hits (8), runs scored (8), home runs (2), RBIs (6) and total bases (15) during the week and he had at least one hit in four of the five games, including two three-hit performances, tying a career high.
OPPONENT SCOUT
Charleston Southern
- 2022 Record: 24-30 (13-11 Big South)
- 2022 Postseason: N/A
- 2023 A-10 Preseason Poll: 7th (1 first-place vote)
- Head Coach: Marc MacMillan (6th season)
ON DECK
The Big Orange gears up for a three-game weekend set against Gonzaga starting Friday night at 6:30 p.m. ET at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. All three games will stream on SEC Network+.
Tickets for non-conference home games can be purchased at AllVols.com.
-UT Athletics
