Tony Vitello – UT Baseball HC / Credit: UT Athletics
Following a remarkable first two seasons leading the Tennessee baseball program, head coach Tony Vitello has agreed to a contract extension through June of 2024, Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer announced Wednesday.
The extension includes salary increases, with Vitello set to earn $580,000 next season. His salary rises to $650,000 by the end of the agreement.
Vitello—a first-time head coach—has rejuvenated the Tennessee program since arriving on Rocky Top in June of 2017. During his first two years as head coach, he has led the Volunteers to 69 victories, including 40 wins in 2019—the first 40-win season for the program since 2005. His 29 victories in 2018 were the most by a first-year head coach in program history.
Most notably, Vitello led UT back to the NCAA Tournament this season for the first time since 2005, ending a 14-year drought for the program. The Vols went 2-2 to finish as runner-up to host and No. 14 national seed North Carolina in the NCAA Chapel Hill Regional.
Vitello in 2019 led the Vols to their best finish in Southeastern Conference play since 2005, as they posted 14 wins to finish third in the Eastern Division. Tennessee won five series in SEC play (its most since 2005) and also finished the year with 26 victories over non-conference teams (its most since 2000).
“Impressive doesn’t begin to describe the job Tony has done with our baseball program these past two seasons,” Fulmer said. “I believe we have in Coach Vitello one of the nation’s brightest young head coaches. From managing the game, to player development, to recruiting and relating to today’s student-athletes—Tony has a firm grasp on all aspect of leading a major program. He’s surrounded himself with an outstanding staff, and we are going to support them as Tennessee baseball continues to climb.”
The Big Orange exploded out of the gates this season with the best start in program history, winning their first 15 games. Tennessee was ranked in the top 25 for 10 weeks and racked up nine wins over ranked teams, the most in a season since 2014. In Vitello’s two seasons at the helm, the Vols have won 16 games against ranked opponents.
Tennessee showed vast improvement in all three phases of the game in 2019, especially on the mound and in the field. The Vols boasted one of the nation’s top pitching staffs and fielding teams this past season, tying the program record with 10 shutouts (second among Division I teams), while also finishing among the national leaders in strikeout-to-walk ratio (ninth), WHIP (10th), walks allowed per nine innings (14th), ERA (19th) and fielding percentage (14th). UT’s .979 fielding percentage was the best in program history.
The Vols’ offensive production also saw an increase under Vitello in 2019. Tennessee scored 378 runs, had 173 extra-base hits, hit 53 home runs and had a slugging percentage of .407, all marks that were the best since 2010. UT was one of the country’s most proficient base stealing teams as well, leading the SEC with 108 stolen bases this season. Junior speedster Jay Charleston finished the year with 41 steals, becoming the first SEC player to steal 40-plus bases in a season since VFLs Chris Burke (49) and Stevie Daniel (46) both accomplished the feat back in 2001.
Vitello and his staff have already had seven players selected in the Major League Baseball Draft over their first two seasons in Knoxville. Tennessee had six players taken in the 2019 MLB Draft. Andre Lipcius (third round), Garrett Stallings (fifth round), Andrew Schultz (sixth round), Zach Linginfelter (ninth round), Ricky Martinez (18th round) and Charleston (26th round) each were selected. This season marked the first time that UT had four or more players taken in the first nine rounds of the draft since 2001 when Burke (first round), Wyatt Allen (first round), Jeff Christensen (fifth round) and Daniel (sixth round) were chosen.
Here’s a study of 20 of the best (and latest) 2019 NBA Mock Drafts in where University of Tennessee players Grant Williams, Admiral Schofield and Jordan Bone are showing up ahead of this Thursday’s 2019 NBA Draft.
Some mock drafts are two-rounders while others just project the first round. The most common draft position for each player is in bold. The workouts listed are from Hoops Hype’s full listing as well as NBA team post-workout videos on their team websites. You’ll also find some comments from me down below in Vince’s View.
Grant Williams (18)
1st Rd (19) San Antonio Spurs – DraftSite.com
1st Rd (21) Oklahoma City Thunder – NBC Sports
1st Rd (24) Philadelphia 76ers – RotoWorld 1st Rd (25) Portland Trail Blazers – USA Today 1st Rd (25) Portland Trail Blazers – Sporting News 1st Rd (25) Portland Trail Blazers – The Ringer 1st Rd (25) Portland Trail Blazers – CBS Sports/Kyle Boone 1st Rd (25) Portland Trail Blazers – CBS Sports/Brad Crawford
1st Rd (26) Cleveland Cavaliers – CBS Sports/Gary Parrish
1st Rd (27) Brooklyn Nets – Stadium
1st Rd (27) Brooklyn Nets – Net Scouts Basketball
1st Rd (27) Brooklyn Nets – CBS Sports/Matt Norlander
1st Rd (28) Golden State Warriors – Basketball Insiders
1st Rd (29) San Antonio Spurs – The Athletic
1st Rd (29) San Antonio Spurs – Yahoo Sports
1st Rd (30) Milwaukee Bucks – ESPN/Jonathan Givony
2nd Rd (36) Charlotte Hornets – NBADraft.net
2nd Rd (39) New Orleans Pelicans – Sports Illustrated
Not in 1st Rd Only Mock – ESPN TV Mock Draft Selection Special & Bleacher Report
Teams Williams worked out for (10): Warriors, Jazz, Suns, Hawks, Magic, Celtics, 76ers, Bulls, Spurs, Nets
Admiral Schofield (10) 1st Rd (23) Utah Jazz – CBS Sports/Gary Parrish *Pick traded to Memphis 1st Rd (23) Utah Jazz – CBS Sports/Brad Crawford *Pick traded to Memphis
2nd Rd (31) Brooklyn Nets – CBS Sports/Matt Norlander
2nd Rd (32) Phoenix Suns – Net Scouts Basketball
2nd Rd (37) Dallas Mavericks – CBS Sports/Kyle Boone 2nd Rd (38) Chicago Bulls – ESPN/Jonathan Givony 2nd Rd (38) Chicago Bulls – Basketball Insiders
2nd Rd (40) Sacramento Kings – The Ringer
2nd Rd (42) Philadelphia 76ers – The Athletic
2nd Rd (43) Minnesota Timberwolves – Sports Illustrated
Teams Schofield worked out for (5): Jazz, Celtics, Warriors, Trail Blazers, Pacers
Jordan Bone (7)
2nd Rd (43) Minnesota Timberwolves – Net Scouts Basketball
2nd Rd (53) Utah Jazz – CBS Sports/Kyle Boone
2nd Rd (56) Los Angeles Clippers – Basketball Insiders 2nd Rd (57) New Orleans Pelicans – ESPN/Jonathan Givony 2nd Rd (57) New Orleans Pelicans – NBADraft.net
2nd Rd (59) Toronto Raptors – Sports Illustrated
2nd Rd (60) Sacramento Kings – The Athletic
Teams Bone worked out for (8): Pistons, Wizards, Kings, Celtics, Hornets, Hawks, Jazz, Magic
Kyle Alexander (0)
None
Teams Alexander worked out for (5 of the 10 he says he has done): Hawks, 76ers, Raptors, Grizzlies, Hornets
Vince’s View
There are a number of really interesting things from this mock draft deep dive.
There are 10 different teams projected to draft Grant Williams among the 20 mock drafts. That shows his versatility in style and fit, even if some believe he doesn’t have a clearly defined position in the NBA.
The Portland Trail Blazers appeared in five mock drafts to select Williams at #25. I do think that is a very nice style fit for Grant.
CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander actually has the Brooklyn Nets picking Peanut Butter and Jelly in the draft, with Williams in the 1st round at 27 and Admiral Schofield with the first selection of the 2nd round at 31. The Boston Celtics could be another candidate to do something like that, as unlikely as it may be.
It appears that the NBA Scouting Combine really helped Jordan Bone, as his appearance in two-round mock drafts has grown steadily since.
While several NBA teams worked out two Vols draft prospects, the Atlanta hawks and the Boston Celtics worked out three Vols.
NCD has obtained exclusive excerpts from the interview that will air on country radio on June 29 [update, the interview was posted to Ty’s podcast on June 19—Listen Here].
Here are a few of Maren’s choice quotes regarding:
Public response and media interest from the Playboy photos and interview:
“Oh, yeah [it’s been positive]. I was just talking about this . . . you really can’t win. You could tweet ‘I love apples’ and someone would be like ‘F you, apples are awful.’ I’ve learned you can’t really win, so I’m just going to do what I believe in, and do me. I look at people like Dolly Parton, who did the cover of Playboy back in the ’70s, so that was sort of my guiding light when I was deciding whether or not to do the shoot.
“I kind of knew when I did it that it was going to be a little incendiary, but I didn’t really expect people to have such insane rage over it. That was the unforeseen part, people coming after Ryan [Hurd], people on my team, people that were a part of the shoot. I was just like, ‘Oh, my god, you guys aren’t even mad, this is such faux rage.’ This must be a slow news week because I’m literally wearing less on my Women’s Health cover.”
Not focusing on the haters:
I did those photos for me . . . not to be weird about it, I was just like, ‘Well, I look like this, I work out, while I look like this I want to have pretty photos of it.’ I guess for the first time I’ll go out and buy Playboy because I want to have some hard copies of it. I’m really proud of what we did. I love that it was all women on the shoot, so I felt super safe, and [the photos are] not nude, so everyone chill the F out.”
Parents and family seeing the Playboy photos and interview:
“I sent it to them last week when I got the advance copy. They were like totally cool with it. They know who I am. I think at the end of the day, it’s like, I’m married, I am in love with my partner, he supports me to no end—my music and me as a woman—so I feel like if I’m going to impart any wisdom, it’s coming from that angle.”
Challenging herself:
“Every year of my career, I’ve done something that’s scared me, from this [Playboy shoot] to doing ‘The Middle’ with Zedd. I thought that there’s a chance, if I do this song with this EDM guy, country is going to think that I’m like leaving them behind or something. Luckily that didn’t happen, and that wasn’t the case, and it was like a stupid fear. I didn’t get into this to be a torchbearer for my gender or anything like that. I just think that’s organically happened because there weren’t enough women getting airplay on the charts. As someone who was [getting airplay], I want to speak up for my female artist friends who work maybe harder than I do and don’t get an ounce of what I’ve received . . . I just naturally have fallen into this role . . . I want it to be more equal, I want everyone to get their fair share because everyone is so f’in talented and inspires me.”
Following in the footsteps of country music luminaries like Kris Kristofferson, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Rosanne Cash and more, Marty Stuart will be the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s 16th artist-in-residence
Marty will perform three themed shows in the museum’s CMA Theater on Sept. 11 (The Pilgrim), Sept. 18 (Psychedelic Jam-Bo-Ree) and Sept. 25 (Songs That Tell a Story).
Sept. 11: The Pilgrim
Marty will celebrate the re-release of his 10th studio album, The Pilgrim (1999), which showcases his songwriting and instrumental talents and tells the story of a man from Marty’s hometown of Philadelphia, Mississippi. He will celebrate this 20-year milestone with a host of musical guests including Chris and Morgane Stapleton, Emmylou Harris, Connie Smith, Gary Carter and Kristin Wilkinson with her Superlative Strings.
Sept. 18: Psychedelic Jam-Bo-Ree
The 1960s introduced us to undeniable superstars and gave us unforgettable songs. Join Marty for an evening celebrating country music of the 1960s, featuring a line-up of influential artists and musicians including Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman of The Byrds, Connie Smith, Old Crow Medicine Show, Buck Trent, Kenny Lovelace, Jim Lauderdale, the Grand Ole Opry Square Dancers and the Fabulous Superlatives.
Sept. 25: Songs That Tell a Story
Harlan Howard famously referred to country music as “three chords and the truth.” Marty will pay homage to country music’s musical stories with an acoustic show. This lineup will feature a number of Nashville’s most influential and revered storytellers including John Prine, Doug Kershaw, Dallas Frazier, Brandy Clark and the Fabulous Superlatives.
Established in 2003, the museum’s artist-in-residence series honors a musical master who has contributed a large and significant body of work to the canon of American popular music. The artist-in-residence is invited to use the museum’s performance venues to create unique musical experiences. Marty joins a prestigious group of past honorees that includes Cowboy Jack Clement, Earl Scruggs, Tom T. Hall, Guy Clark, Kris Kristofferson, Jerry Douglas, Vince Gill, Buddy Miller, Connie Smith, Kenny Rogers, Ricky Skaggs, Alan Jackson, Rosanne Cash, Jason Isbell and Miranda Lambert.
Tickets for all three shows are on sale now and can be purchased at CMATheater.com.
Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley of Florida Georgia Line and their Can’t Say I Ain’t Country Tour cohorts—Dan + Shay, Morgan Wallen, Canaan Smith and Hardy—took a slight detour before their concert in Southaven, Miss., on June 15.
The troupe stopped by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis (about 20 minutes from Southaven) to perform for patients and their families, as well as meet the brave kids who are fighting childhood cancer.
“One of our favorite moments this weekend right here,” said FGL, in part, via Instagram. “Thank you @stjude for inviting us out and to our buddies @danandshay@morganwallen@hardy and @canaansmith for joining us yesterday.”
“Thank you @stjude + @flagaline for inviting us to be a part of such a special day in Memphis,” added Dan + Shay via Twitter. “@stjude is truly one of the most wonderful places on earth, and we’re so proud of our country music community for all that it has contributed towards saving lives.”
The country music industry has raised more than $800 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital since Country Cares for St. Jude Kids began 30 years ago. Thanks to generous donors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food.
thank you @stjude + @flagaline for inviting us to be a part of such a special day in memphis. @stjude is truly one of the most wonderful places on earth, and we’re so proud of our country music community for all that it has contributed towards saving lives. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/CqhwctVLiA
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee baseball is well-represented on the 2019 summer circuit with 23 current players on summer-league rosters.
Each week on UTSports.com, we will provide an update on all of the Vols participating in the various summer leagues around the country.
The first summer ball update of the year can be found below.
USA Baseball Collegiate National Team LHP Garrett Crochet
Season Stats: N/A
Crochet accepted an invitation to the 2019 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team training camp, which will run from June 27-30 in Cary, North Carolina before a 26-man roster is selected prior to the 8th USA vs. Cuba International Friendship Series that will take place July 2-6 in Cary, Charlotte, Durham and Hickory, North Carolina. Team USA’s 26-man roster will then travel to Taiwan for the 19th USA vs. Chinese Taipei International Friendship Series after which USA Baseball will announce a final 24-man roster to compete in the 43rd USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star Series from July 16-21 in Japan.
Read more about Crochet’s training camp invite HERE.
Cape Cod League OF Zach Daniels – Orleans Firebirds
Season Stats: 5 GP, .133 AVG, 1 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 6 K, .133 SLG, .133 OBP
Daniels went 1-for-4 in the Firebirds opener on June 11 against Yarmouth-Dennis and recorded his second hit of the season on June 16 in a 2-1 loss to Bourne. The Georgia native also scored a run in Orleans’ 4-4 tie against Wareham on June 14.
LHP Will Heflin – Harwich Mariners
Season Stats: 1 App, 0 GS, 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 2.0 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 2 K, 0.50 WHIP
Heflin was nearly perfect in his only appearance so far this summer. The junior lefty struck out a pair and allowed one hit in two scoreless innings as Harwich defeated Falmouth 7-1 on June 16.
RHP Sean Hunley – Brewster Whitecaps
Season Stats: 1 App, 1 GS, 1-0, 2.25 ERA, 4.0 IP, 3 R, 1 ER, 6 H, 0 BB, 6 K, 1.50 WHIP
Hunley got his summer started off with a victory in Brewster’s 12-4 win over Hyannis on June 16. The sophomore got the start and allowed three runs – only one earned – and struck out six in four innings of work to begin his summer campaign 1-0.
Soularie has scored in all four games he’s played in and has recorded a hit in three of those contests so far this summer, including a two-hit performance in a 2-1 win over Orleans on June 15. The All-American also scored twice, doubled and drove in a run in an 11-5 victory over Hyannis on June 16.
Despite a slow start for the Firebirds, Wallace has been solid in his two appearances out of the bullpen thus far. The sophomore right hander has given up just two hits while racking up five strikeouts in 4.1 innings of work.
California Collegiate League OF Justin Ammons – Conejo Oaks
Season Stats: N/A
Ammons has not seen action yet this summer.
INF Pete Derkay – Arroyo Seco Saints
Season Stats: N/A
Derkay has not seen action yet this summer.
INF Max Ferguson – Orange County Riptide
Season Stats: N/A
Lipcius went 2-for-5 with a run and an RBI in his second game of the summer against Conejo on June 8. He followed that with another hit and two runs scored against Orange County on June 9.
INF Trey Lipscomb – Orange County Riptide
Season Stats: N/A
Lipscomb has not seen action yet this summer.
C Connor Pavolony – Santa Barbara Foresters
Season Stats: 5 GP, .188 AVG, 3 R, 3 H, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 4 BB, 4 K, .250 SLG, .350 OBP
Pavolony has recorded a hit in three of his five games played so far this summer. In his first game of the summer, the Georgia native reached base twice with a single and a walk and also drove in two runs in a 10-1 win over Conejo on June 11. The freshman catcher had two runs, a double, a walk and an RBI in a 10-4 victory over Orange County on June 16. Pavolony has also thrown out two base stealers already this summer.
RHP Elijah Pleasants – Academy Barons
Season Stats: 2 App, 0-0, 2 SV, 0.00 ERA, 3.1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 5 K, 0.30 WHIP
Pleasants is off to a red-hot start for the Barons, earning a pair of saves in his only two appearances so far. The lanky right hander opened his summer with two shutout innings in a win over Orange County on June 13, striking out three while allowing just one hit. He followed that up with a pair of punchouts in 1.1 innings of work as Academy defeated Conejo, 9-5, on June 16.
OF Evan Russell – Arroyo Seco Saints
Season Stats: N/A
Russell has not seen action yet this summer.
OF Christian Scott – Arroyo Seco Saints
Season Stats: 5 GP, .222 AVG, 2 R, 4 H, 1 2B, 1 3B, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 5 K, .389 SLG, .263 OBP
After a slow start, Scott has started to find his groove as of late. The Clarksville, Tenn., native went 3-for-4 with a triple against Orange County on June 14 after hitting a double and scoring a pair of runs in a 4-3 win over Santa Barbara one day earlier.
Coastal Plain League RHP Caleb Pearson – Forest City Owls
Season Stats: 3 App, 2 GS, 0-2, 6.10 ERA, 10.1 IP, 12 H, 12 R, 7 ER, 8 BB, 6 K, 1.94 WHIP
Pearson has struggled out of the gates for Forest City, starting the summer 0-2 after a pair of rocky starts. The Brentwood, Tenn., native does have six strikeouts so far this summer.
Following a rough outing to start the summer, Plummer rebounded nicely in his second start with five strikeouts and just one earned run allowed on three hits in 3.2 innings of work as the SwampDogs defeated Asheboro 10-4 on June 16.
Rucker got off to a slow start at the plate, going hitless in his first three games, but singled and scored a run in the Owls’ last game, a 5-1 victory over High Point-Thomasville. He also earned the top spot on the Coastal Plain League Plays of the Week with a web gem at shortstop.
Northwoods League INF Austin Knight – Kalamazoo Growlers
Season Stats: N/A
Kohlhepp posted a quality start in his summer debut for the Express, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out two batters in 4.2 innings as Eau Claire defeated Thunder Bay, 9-6, on June 9.
Ohio Valley League C Matthew Ellis – Dubois County Bombers
Season Stats: 3 GP, .385 AVG, 2 R, 5 H, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 0 BB, 1 K, .462 SLG, .357 OBP
Ellis is off to a good start for the Bombers with five hits and three RBI in just three games played so far this summer. Dubois County is currently in third place in the East Division with a 5-5 record.
RHP Bennett Shoptaw – Dubois County Bombers
Season Stats: 3 App, 2 GS, 0-1, 9.58 ERA, 10.1 IP, 18 H, 14 R, 11 ER, 5 BB, 9 K, 2.23 WHIP
Shoptaw has struggled in three appearances so far this summer with a 9.58 ERA in 10.1 innings of work.
Expedition League RHP Hunter Dreves – Western Nebraska Pioneers
Season Stats: 4 App, 2 GS, 1-0, 6.75 ERA, 9.1 IP, 5 H, 9 R, 7 ER, 15 BB, 13 K, 2.14 WHIP
Dreves earned his first victory of the summer as the Pioneers defeated Fremont, 6-5, on May 30. The Kentucky native struck out three batters in three innings of work. In four innings, Dreves struck out six batters and allowed just one run on one hit in his most recent outing as Western Nebraska earned a 5-4 win over Casper on June 16. While Dreves has allowed just five hits in 9.1 innings, he has struggled with walks, giving up 15 free passes already this summer.
Chris Lane and Lauren Bushnell got engaged on June 16.
Chris shared a video of the proposal, featuring him popping the question in the backyard of Lauren’s family home in West Linn, Oregon.
Under the guise of letting Lauren hear one of his new songs, “Big, Big Plans,” Chris stealthily takes Lauren hand and drops to one knee during the song’s ending, saying, “Baby, you’re the best thing to ever happen. You’ve brought out a lot of things inside me that I didn’t even know existed. And I have to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”
Watch the video below, which is interspersed with clips of the happy couple.
If it seems like Luke Combs is crushing a new milestone every week . . . he is.
In addition to getting invited to join the Grand Ole Opry on June 11, Luke achieved the largest streaming week ever for a country artist. Check out a few of his amazing accomplishments on the Billboard country charts this week.
Luke’s five-track EP, The Prequel, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.
Luke’s 2017 debut album, This One’s for You, is No. 2 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.
All five tracks on The Prequel are in the Top 25 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, which hasn’t been accomplished since Johnny Cash did it in 1959.
Luke recently made history as the first artist to simultaneously top all five Billboard country charts for multiple weeks: Top Country Albums, Hot Country Songs, Country Airplay, Country Streaming Songs and Country Digital Song Sales. He is also the first country artist in history whose first five singles have reached No. 1.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — With a couple more weeks under their belts, former Lady Vols keep ramping up their respective games in the WNBA. At some point during the last two weeks of contests, every LVFL scored in double digits in at least one game, including a double-double by Seattle’s Mercedes Russell, who tallied 15 points and recorded 11 rebounds against the Washington Mystics on June 14.
Along with her double-double performance, Russell also scored 13 points and recorded eight rebounds in an 84-82 win over Indiana on June 13. She now has started in five of nine games for the Storm and has been averaging 7.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg and 24.6 mpg.
Diamond DeShields posted two 20+ point games for the Chicago Sky with 24 points against Washington on June 5 and a season high of 25 points against Phoenix on June 11. The Sky went 1-1 when DeShields scored more than 20 points. She is currently leading her team in scoring with an average of 14.0, ranking her 16th in the league overall. DeShields continues action on June 19 at the New York Liberty at 7 p.m. (League Pass).
Isabelle Harrison and Glory Johnson have been representing UT on the Dallas Wings and both have recorded a double-digit scoring performance this season. Harrison scored 18 points against Indiana on June 7 and also reeled in seven rebounds in a 79-64 loss. Johnson responded the next game with nearly a double-double with 15 points and nine rebounds in an 86-82 loss against Washington on June 9.
Shekinna Stricklen recorded three double-digit scoring efforts in the last two weeks, including 16-point performances in back-to-back games for the Connecticut Sun. The team is currently first in the league standings and sits at 8-1 overall.
Candace Parker, meanwhile, remains sidelined. The L.A. Sparks star is recovering from a hamstring injury that has plagued her since the preseason, but she could return any day now. She most recently competed in a full scrimmage last week during practice.
Diamond DeShields
Chicago Sky | G | 2nd Season
DeShields has started in all six of the Chicago Sky’s games this season. She is averaging 14.0 ppg. and 4.7 rpg. thus far. She leads the team in scoring and is currently ranked 16th in the league. Her next game is June 19 against the New York Liberty at 7 p.m. ET (League Pass).
Isabelle Harrison
Dallas Wings | F/C | 4th Season
After sitting out all of last season due to medical reasons, Harrison has been averaging a little over 21 minutes a game and tallying 6.4 ppg. and 4.0 rpg. She recently scored 18 points in 25 minutes and collected seven rebounds against the Indiana Fever. The next game for her is on June 20 against the Phoenix Mercury beginning at 8 p.m. (CBS Sports Network).
Glory Johnson
Dallas Wings | F | 7th Season
Johnson has started in five of six contests played for the Dallas Wings this season. In just under 25 minutes of action per game, she has produced 6.7 ppg. and 7.0 rpg. After nearly having a double-double against Washington, she also helped the Wings to their first win of the season against Atlanta on June 15 with five points, two steals, four assists and five rebounds.
Candace Parker
Los Angeles Sparks | F/C | 12th Season
Parker has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since the preseason. She is slowly recovering and could return to action any day now.
Russell has already played in nine games this season and averages 24.6 minutes per contest. With more time on the court compared to last season, she has been contributing 7.6 ppg. and 6.2 rpg. The Seattle Storm continues its season June 21 against the LA Sparks (CBS Sports Network) at 10:30 p.m.
Shekinna Stricklen
Connecticut Sun | G/F | 8th Season
Stricklen has started in all nine games so far this season for the Connecticut Sun and has scored in double digits in four of the past five games. She is sitting at 10.4 ppg. and has chipped in 1.6 rpg. while playing 24.1 mpg. so far this season. Stricklen also has been shooting an impressive 83.3 percent on free throws. Her next game is June 21 against Atlanta at 7:30 p.m. (League Pass).
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee sophomore pitcher Garrett Crochet has accepted an invitation to the 2019 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team training camp.
The talented left hander is the 21st player in program history to be associated with one of the USA Baseball National Teams and the first to earn an invite to the Collegiate Team training camp since former UT pitcher Zach Warren made the team in 2016.
“It means a lot to be chosen to wear the Red, White and Blue and to represent not only our country but also the University of Tennessee and my family,” Crochet said. “This is something I’ve always dreamed of but never believed would be something I would be a part of. The feeling is very surreal.”
The USA Baseball Collegiate National Team will participate in series of four intrasquad exhibition games and a game against the Coastal Plain League Select before announcing a 26-man roster prior to the 8th USA vs. Cuba International Friendship Series that will take place July 2-6 in Cary, Charlotte, Durham and Hickory, North Carolina. Team USA’s 26-man roster will then travel to Taiwan for the 19th USA vs. Chinese Taipei International Friendship Series after which USA Baseball will announce a final 24-man roster to compete in the 43rd USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star Series from July 16-21 in Japan.
After starting the year as one of the Volunteers’ top options in the bullpen, Crochet worked his way into the weekend rotation midway through the season and ended up starting six games. The Ocean Springs, Miss., native finished the year with a 5-3 record and set career bests in numerous statistical categories, including ERA, appearances, saves, innings pitched, strikeouts, walks allowed and hits allowed.
Crochet racked up 81 strikeouts on the year to rank second on the team, and his 13.5 strikeouts per nine innings led all Tennessee pitchers with at least two starts. In his first outing of the season, Crochet struck out a career-high nine batters in four perfect innings of relief to earn a save against Appalachian State. He went on to strike out nine more batters in 5.1 innings of work in a victory over Indiana on Feb. 24.
Crochet also posted impressive performances in wins over a pair of top-five ranked teams in Vanderbilt and Georgia. The hard-throwing lefty tossed 4.1 shutout innings out of the bullpen to lead the Vols to a 7-6 road victory over the fourth-ranked Commodores on March 31, one of just four home games that Vanderbilt lost in the regular season.
Crochet made his first start of the year two weeks later in the series opener against No. 2 Georgia. He gave UT five shutout innings while striking out six batters as the Big Orange went on to post a 2-0 shutout victory.
After suffering a fractured jaw in the final series of the regular season against Ole Miss, Crochet returned just two weeks later to pitch for the Vols in the NCAA Chapel Hill Regional. He threw 2.1 scoreless innings to earn the win in an elimination game against UNCW before tossing 3.2 innings the next day in a victory over Liberty to help UT advance to the regional championship.
For more information on USA Baseball and the Collegiate National Team, follow @USABaseball on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter; and @USABaseballCNT on Twitter.
Click HERE to view the release on UTSports.com and see a full list of former Tennessee players and coaches that have been involved with USA Baseball.
![[Exclusive Interview] Maren Morris Opens Up About “Playboy” Experience: “I’m Really Proud of What We Did . . . Everyone Chill the F Out”](https://cdn.socast.io/6616/sites/602/2019/06/19135029/Maren-Morris1-CH.jpg#aqua_resizer_image_not_local)
