Extra-Base Hits Fuel UT’s Run Rule vs Lipscomb

Extra-Base Hits Fuel UT’s Run Rule vs Lipscomb

Lady Vols Softball / Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Lady Vols took care of business in their first of a seven-game homestand, downing Lipscomb 9-1 in five innings behind timely hitting and focused defense.

Heading into Wednesday being outscored 23-4 in first innings, Tennessee (10-7) closed the gap a bit recording four runs to get a comfortable lead that it would hold onto the remainder of the game.

After senior Chelsea Seggern (1-for-1) drew the lead-off walk, a string of multi-base hits sparked the Lady Vols for the rest of the evening. Junior Amanda Ayala (1-for-1) knocked a deep double to left field that fell just inside the line to put the pair into scoring positions and set the table.

Sophomore catcher Ally Shipman (1-for-2) belted a two-RBI triple into center field to bring in Seggern and Ayala before Kaili Phillips (1-for-3) punctuated the scoring with a two-run shot over the left field wall to give UT a 4-0 lead.

“I think the girls really bought into the game plan that we had for the first pitcher that we faced tonight,” said co-head coach Karen Weekly. “They went up there and just really trusted their swings and did some good damage.”

The following inning, freshman KK McCrary (1-for-2) doubled to bring in Seggern, who recorded a game-high three runs, and Jenna Holcomb (1-for-2), who finished with two on the night. McCrary and Shipman combined for six of the Lady Vols’ nine RBIs as UT kept its undefeated home streak on March 4 alive. Tennessee is 12-2 all-time on the day, and 10-0 in Knoxville.

In the bottom of the third, Seggern brought in freshman shortstop Josie Willingham (0-for-1) on an RBI single. Continued patience at the plate fell in favor of the Lady Vols, who recorded nine walks on Wednesday night. A pair of those walks turned into RBIs for McCrary and Shipman as the bases remained loaded in the bottom of the third frame.

Giving up just one hit through the first four innings, freshman Callie Turner was one out away from recording her first one-hit shutout before giving up two hits and a walk in the top of the fifth. The freshman picked up her seventh win of the season, throwing one strikeout in 5.0 innings.

“I liked the way our pitcher came out and threw a first-pitch strike, got the first batter early in the game,” Weekly said. “I thought she Callie really set the tone for our defense. I liked the way we executed the game plan in the first inning and then continued in the second inning.

“We didn’t settle for the four runs in the first, we continued in the second inning and put more runs on the board.”

Next Up

The Lady Vols continue their homestand with the Tennessee Invitational on March. 6-8. UT will host ETSU at 3 p.m. and Stanford at 5:30 p.m. on Friday before opening Saturday at 12:30 p.m. against Toledo in a round-robin format that will peg the top-finishing team against the team with the fewest wins later Saturday. Consolation and championship rounds will be played on Sunday, with the Lady Vols playing at 12:30 p.m., regardless of finish.

-UT Athletics

Tennessee Baseball to Hold Free Kid’s Clinic to Benefit Those Affected by Midstate Tornadoes

Tennessee Baseball to Hold Free Kid’s Clinic to Benefit Those Affected by Midstate Tornadoes

UT Baseball logo / Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee baseball will hold a free kid’s clinic on Thursday, March 5 from 4:30-6 p.m. at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, with donations being accepted to help benefit those affected by the devastating tornadoes in Nashville and surrounding areas in the midstate.

UT players and coaches will be on hand to provide instruction as well as sign autographs for those in attendance. The clinic is limited to kids in kindergarten through eighth grade (K-8).

There will also be ticket giveaways and the chance to win Tennessee baseball gear.

Those who plan on attending are asked to park in the G16 garage located on the corner of Volunteer Blvd. and Pat Head Summitt St.

A parking map can be found by clicking HERE.

-UT Athletics

Garth Brooks Recognizes Tornado Victims During Acceptance of Gershwin Prize for Popular Song [Watch]

Garth Brooks Recognizes Tornado Victims During Acceptance of Gershwin Prize for Popular Song [Watch]

The Library of Congress honored Garth Brooks with the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song during a tribute concert on March 4 in Washington, D.C.

Bestowed in recognition of the legendary songwriting team of George and Ira Gershwin, the Gershwin Prize recognizes a living musical artist’s lifetime achievement in promoting the genre of song as a vehicle of entertainment, information, inspiration and cultural understanding. Past recipients include Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Sir Paul McCartney, songwriting duo Burt Bacharach and the late Hal David, Carole King, Billy Joel, Willie Nelson, Smokey Robinson, Tony Bennett and Emilio and Gloria Estefan.

During his acceptance speech at the ceremony, Garth took a moment to recognize the victims of the tornadoes that swept through Tennessee during the early hours of March 3, killing 25 people and destroying hundreds of structures.

“In honor of our sweet, sweet Volunteers from the great state of Tennessee,” said Garth, “I’m going to request, humbly, a moment of silence for those who have fallen and those who are still missing.”

Garth, who is 58 years old, is the youngest recipient of the award. He is also the second country artist to receive the award, following Willie Nelson (2015). The concert will air on PBS stations nationwide in spring 2020.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Willie Nelson Tribute Concert Featuring George Strait, Eric Church, Chris Stapleton, Emmylou Harris & More to Air on A&E

Willie Nelson Tribute Concert Featuring George Strait, Eric Church, Chris Stapleton, Emmylou Harris & More to Air on A&E

An all-star cast of performers hit the stage to pay tribute to country icon Willie Nelson at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Jan. 12, 2019.

The tribute concert—Willie: Life & Songs of an American Outlaw—featured performances by Willie, Chris Stapleton, Emmylou Harris, Eric Church, Jimmy Buffett, Bobby Bare, Jamey Johnson, Lukas Nelson, Margo Price, Micah Nelson, Nathaniel Rateliff, Ray Benson, Steve Earle, Alison Krauss, The Avett Brothers, George Strait, Jack Johnson, John Mellencamp, Kris Kristofferson, Lee Ann Womack, Lyle Lovett, Norah Jones and The Little Willies, Sheryl Crow, Susan Tedeschi & Derek Trucks, and Vince Gill.

A&E announced it will air a two-hour television special, Willie Nelson: American Outlaw, at 10 p.m. ET on April 12.

The TV special features more than 20 never-before-televised performances from the tribute concert, exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes footage of Willie and some of music’s biggest superstars, and an all-star singalong of Wille’s classic hit “On The Road Again.”

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Dixie Chicks Drop First Single in 13 Years With “Gaslighter” [Listen]

Dixie Chicks Drop First Single in 13 Years With “Gaslighter” [Listen]

Natalie Maines, Emily Robison and Martie Maguire of the Dixie Chicks dropped their first single in 13 years with the release of “Gaslighter” on March 4. The new tune serves as the title track to the Dixie Chicks’ upcoming eighth studio album, which is slated to drop on May 1.

Co-produced by the band and Jack Antonoff, Gaslighter will follow the Dixie Chicks’ 2006 album, Taking the Long Way.

The trio also released a new video for “Gaslighter,” which was directed by Seanne Farmer. Check out the new clip below.

photo by AFF-USA.com

Mitchell Tenpenny, Devin Dawson, Hardy & More to Headline Tornado Relief Benefit Concert at Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row

Mitchell Tenpenny, Devin Dawson, Hardy & More to Headline Tornado Relief Benefit Concert at Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row

A number of country artists—including Mitchell Tenpenny, Devin Dawson, Hardy, Jessie James Decker, The Band Camino, Chuck Wicks and more—will join forces for a Tornado Relief Concert on March 9 at Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row Nashville.

Tornadoes ripped across Tennessee in the early hours of March 3, including a direct hit in downtown Nashville around 12:40 a.m. The tornadoes have claimed at least 24 lives. More than three dozen people are still unaccounted for, while hundreds of structures suffered damage.

The benefit concert, presented by Nash FM 103.3, will also feature a charity raffle with autographed guitars and memorabilia. All of the proceeds and donations from the event will directly benefit Hands On Nashville, which connects volunteers to critical issues facing Middle Tennessee.

Tickets are on sale now. Must be 21 years of age or older to attend. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Viva Las G-Man: Garth Brooks Announces Stadium Show in Las Vegas

Viva Las G-Man: Garth Brooks Announces Stadium Show in Las Vegas

Following upcoming stops in Charlotte, N.C., (May 2) and Cincinnati (May 16), Garth Brooks announced he is bringing his Stadium Tour to Las Vegas on Aug. 22.

Garth will perform at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium—the first major concert at the venue, which is still under construction. Allegiant Stadium will serve as the home to the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders in 2020.

Tickets for the new show in Las Vegas will go on sale on March 13 at 10 a.m. PDT for $94.95 via Ticketmaster.

Garth’s Stadium Tour visited 10 cities in 2019: St. Louis, Glendale, Gainesville, Minneapolis (x2), Pittsburgh, Denver, Eugene, Boise (x2), Regina (x2) and Knoxville. Garth performed his first 2020 Stadium Tour show in Detroit on Feb. 22.

photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

Dierks Bentley’s Hot Country Knights Announce Debut Album, “The K Is Silent”

Dierks Bentley’s Hot Country Knights Announce Debut Album, “The K Is Silent”

The Hot Country Knights—a band fronted by an incognito Dierks Bentley—announced their debut album, The K Is Silent, will drop on May 1.

The 10-song offering, which was produced by Dierks, features collaborations with Travis Tritt on “Pick Her Up” and Terri Clark on “You Make It Hard.” Dierks co-wrote five songs on the upcoming album, while songwriters Jim Beavers, Brett Beavers, Jon Randall, Brett Tyler and Jon Nite co-penned multiple tracks.

The Hot Country Knights are comprised of Dierks’ road band, performing ’90s-esque country tunes while donning aliases, mullet wigs and over-the-top attire from the era. The Hot Country Knights feature lead singer Douglas “Doug” Douglason, lead bass player Trevor Travis, lead guitarist Marty Ray “Rayro” Roburn, fiddle player Terotej “Terry” Dvoraczekynski, steel guitarist Barry Van Ricky and percussionist Monte Montgomery.

“We were out on the road singing a lot of other people’s hits, and we called them ‘Greatest Hits’ because by us singing them, it actually made them great,” Doug Douglason says. “But this is a step beyond our Greatest Hits. This is all original material, and it’s the best stuff to come out of Nashville from a man band in several decades.”

The band will hit the road for their One Knight Stand Tour this spring. The 13-date tour kicks off on April 7 in San Diego, making additional stops in L.A., Boston, Atlanta, Nashville and more. Hannah Dasher, Tenille Townes, Rachel Wammack and Lainey Wilson will provide support during various stops.

The K Is Silent Track Listing & Songwriters

  1. “Hot Country Knights” – Brett Beavers, Jim Beavers, Cassady Feasby, Ben Helson, Dan Hochhalter, Chase McGill, Steve Misamore, Jon Nite, Jon Randall, Tim Sergent, Brett Tyler and Dierks Bentley
  2. “Pick Her Up” (Featuring Travis Tritt) – Dierks Bentley, Brett Beavers and Jim Beavers
  3. “Asphalt”  – Jim Beavers, Jon Nite and Brett Tyler
  4. “Moose Knuckle Shuffle” Brett Beavers, Jim Beavers, Buddy Brock, Dan Hochalter, Chase McGill, Zach Turner and Brett Tyler
  5. “Then It Rained”  – Brett Beavers, Jon Nite and Jon Randall
  6. “Wrangler Danger”  – Dierks Bentley, Brett Beavers and Jim Beavers
  7. “Mull It Over”  – Dierks Bentley, Jim Beavers and Jon Randall
  8. “Kings Of Neon”  – Dierks Bentley, Brett Beavers and Chase McGill
  9. “You Make It Hard” (Featuring Terri Clark) – Dierks Bentley, Brett Beaver, Jim Beavers, Mary Hilliard Harrington, Jon Randall and Luke Wooten
  10. “The USA Begins With US”  – Dierks Bentley, Brett Beavers and Jim Beavers

photo courtesy UMG Nashville

Jimmy’s blog: Fulkerson fantastic as Vols rally from 17 down at Rupp

Jimmy’s blog: Fulkerson fantastic as Vols rally from 17 down at Rupp

By Jimmy Hyams

John Fulkerson channeled his inner Bernard King, igniting Tennessee to an 81-73 victory Tuesday night over No. 6 Kentucky over a stunned crowd in Rupp Arena.

King famously vowed he would never lose to Kentucky again after a Wildcat fan flicked a cigarette in King’s hair. He didn’t.

Fulkerson flicked in 27 points and was brilliant from start to finish as Tennessee rallied from 17 down in the second half for a rare sixth win at Rupp.

“We got manhandled,’’ Kentucky coach John Calipari said. “I got manhandled.’’

ESPN’s Jimmy Dykes, color analyst for the game, said Fulkerson’s performance was one of the best by an SEC player on the road this season.

The 6-foot-9 junior from Kingsport was 10 of 15 from the field (7 of 7 in the first half) and scored from all angles against one of the SEC’s best defenses. He also was seven of seven at the foul line.

“He was terrific,’’ said Tennessee coach Rick Barnes. “What he did tonight was one of the greatest performances I have witnessed.’’

Kentucky led 42-31 at halftime and would have had a larger lead if not for Fulkerson.

The Wildcats (24-6, 14-3 SEC) led 51-34 in the second half and you could hear the Fat Lady clearing her throat.

But Tennessee (17-13, 9-8 SEC) mounted a terrific – and unexpected – charge. UT’s 29-9 run over 10 minutes helped snap a 10-year streak in which the Wildcats won with a double-digit halftime lead (129-0).

“The game got physical and we couldn’t compete,’’ Calipari said. “We tried different ways to score and we just had nothing.

“But give credit to Tennessee. They could’ve gone away down 17 but that’s Rick Barnes.’’

It marked at least the eighth time an SEC team rallied from at least 15 down to win on a Tuesday night. Tennessee rallied from 15 down last month to upend Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

“We just kept fighting,’’ said Fulkerson, making a statement to be an All-SEC selection. “I kept trying to look at the score at the top of the (scoreboard) and couldn’t find it, which I guess was a good thing.

“This was no surprise to me. I knew we were capable of this. I knew that if everybody comes to play, we can get the job done.’’

Kentucky, projected as a two seed in the NCAA Tournament by Joe Lunardi, had won 10 of its 14 SEC games by single digits with almost all of its conference wins in the balance with six minutes left.

It didn’t look like Tennessee would come within single digits. But Fulkerson’s refuse-to-lose attitude was joined by several teammates in the second half.

Yves Pons scored 15, 12 in the second half. His back-to-back baskets gave UT a 72-66 lead with 1:48 left. Kentucky didn’t have an answer.

Josiah-Jordan James had a putback and three free throws late to seal the deal. He scored 16 points, all in the second half, and had seven rebounds and five assists.

Tennessee finally caught Kentucky with 6:42 left when a James 3 capped an 8-0 run.

Tennessee shot 52.8% from the field. Kentucky shot 44.6% but was over 50% until the final 10 minutes.

Shooting 24.5% from 3-point range in home SEC games, Kentucky was four of five on treys in the first half and finished 6 of 13. UT was 8 of 18 from long range.

UT won the battle of the boards, 31-26.

Kentucky is now 161-6 all-time against unranked opponents at Rupp Arena.


Sponsored by Big Kahuna Wings: The wings that changed it all 

Dominant Second Half Leads Vols Past #6 Kentucky, 81-73

Dominant Second Half Leads Vols Past #6 Kentucky, 81-73

Vols F John Fulkerson / Credit: UT Athletics

LEXINGTON, Ky. – A career-high 27 points from junior John Fulkerson, a massive 29-9 second-half run and a dominant defensive effort in the final 20 minutes propelled Tennessee to an 81-73 comeback victory over sixth-ranked Kentucky on Tuesday at Rupp Arena.

The win was Tennessee’s second in its last three trips to Lexington and made Rick Barnes the first Tennessee coach ever to win multiple games at Rupp Arena.

“Our guys were confident,” Barnes said. “Even when we were down, and I would walk into the timeout, they were talking to each other about ‘Hey we just can’t keep making those turnovers and mistakes that we’re making.’ They were great at driving the ball and we really said, ‘Hey we’re going to get into those gaps and they’re going to have to make some jump shots.’ And we actually made some plays in the gap where we knocked it through, got out in transition and got some baskets like that. We also tried to speed the tempo up some. But, when we got into a dead ball situation, we knew we were going to play through Fulky.”

The Vols (17-13, 9-8 SEC) trailed by as many as 17 points, marking the second time this season UT has come back to win when trailing by 15 or more. Tennessee’s 51 second-half points were the most the Vols have scored in a half this season.

Prior to Tuesday night, the last time Kentucky blew a lead of 17 or more points was when Barnes’ Vols erased a 21-point deficit to post an 84-77 triumph in Knoxville on Feb. 2, 2016.

Fulkerson’s 27 points Tuesday came on a career-high-tying 10 made field goals and a perfect 7-of-7 effort from the foul line. His scoring output marked his fourth 20-point performance in UT’s last nine games and enhanced his standing as an All-SEC candidate.

“I just think what we’ve been talking about is doing whatever it takes to win,” Fulkerson said. “And Jordan Bone once said, ‘We never want to walk off the court and say that the other team wanted it more than us.’ So, every time we leave the court, we want to want it more than them. We never want to have regret or say they wanted it more. That’s something that we pride ourselves on, just playing hard and doing what it takes to win and just wanting it.”

Freshman Josiah-Jordan James also was huge for the Vols, scoring all of his season-high 16 points in the second half. James finished the night 5-of-9 from the field and 2-of-4 from 3-point range while also pulling in seven rebounds and dishing off a game-high-tying five assists.

SEC Defensive Player of the Year candidate Yves Pons delivered a clutch performance on the offensive end, scoring 12 of his 15 points in the second half. Pons concluded the night 6-of-9 from the field and drilled all three of his 3-point attempts.

Junior Jalen Johnson came off the bench to help keep UT within striking distance in the first half, knocking down two 3-pointers to cut UK’s early 13-point lead to seven.

A balanced opening eight minutes had Kentucky holding a slim 14-11 lead at the under-12 media timeout. Fulkerson was on fire for the Vols, knocking down each of his first four field goal attempts and scoring nine points.

Down the stretch of the opening half, the Wildcats (24-6, 14-3 SEC) briefly took control, increasing their lead to 42-31 at the halftime break.

Kentucky continued to pour it on to begin the second half, stretching its advantage to 51-34 just three minutes in.

The Vols then responded with a 9-0 run, spearheaded by five points and an assist from James to cut the Wildcat lead to just eight points with 13:57 remaining.

Over the next seven minutes, the Vols expanded their run to 29-9 during a 10-minute stretch with balanced scoring and a number of defensive stops to take a 63-60 advantage, which was their first lead since the 15:53 mark of the first half.

In the game’s final four minutes, the Wildcats never regained the lead, as multiple late stops and a 7-of-8 mark from the charity stripe sealed the Vols’ impressive road triumph.

What a Stat: Prior to Tuesday night, Kentucky was 129-0 over the last 10 seasons when it led by double digits at halftime. The Wildcats led by 11 points, 42-31, on Tuesday before Tennessee’s impressive rally.

Bowden Passes Schofield: Senior Jordan Bowden’s lone 3-point field goal moved him into sole possession of seventh place on UT’s career list for 3-point makes with 185.

Le Streak is the Big Three-Oh: Yves Pons blocked one shot Tuesday, marking his 30th consecutive game with at least one block. He upped his season blocks total to 71 and is just three blocks away from breaking UT’s single-season record.

Up Next: The Vols return home to close the regular season in a Saturday matchup with No. 17 Auburn. Tipoff between the Vols and the Tigers is set for noon ET. Seniors Jordan Bowden and Lamonte Turner will be honored prior to the game. Tickets remain available at AllVols.com.

-UT Athletics

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