Vols Can’t Hold Late Lead in 5-3 Loss to No. 15 Auburn

Vols Can’t Hold Late Lead in 5-3 Loss to No. 15 Auburn

Vols OF Al Soularie / Credit: UT Athletics

AUBURN, Ala. – No. 21 Tennessee couldn’t hold on to a late lead and dropped the series finale against No. 15 Auburn in a back-and-forth affair Sunday afternoon at Plainsman Park.

The Tigers scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to rally from a 3-2 deficit and secure the series sweep with a 5-3 victory. UT had just taken the lead in the top of the eighth with a solo home run off the bat of Alerick Soularie, his team-leading seventh of the season.

Soularie went 2-for-4 with two runs and a walk on the afternoon to lead the Vols at the plate. Ricky Martinez (3-for-4) and freshman Max Ferguson (2-for-3, 1 R, 1 BB) also had multi-hit performances as the Big Orange cranked out 10 hits, by far the most of any game in the series.

Senior pitcher Will Neely got the start and had a decent outing, giving up two runs on two hits while striking out three before being lifted for sophomore lefty Garrett Crochet with one out and two runners on in the fifth. Crochet was stuck with the loss after allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits over 3.1 innings of relief.

A two-out rally in the top of the third put the Volunteers up 1-0. Ferguson, making his first start of the series, tripled off the wall in right center and scored on a single up the middle from Justin Ammons to give UT an early lead for the second day in a row.

UT added to its lead with a run in the fourth after a throwing error by Auburn catcher Matt Scheffler allowed Soularie to score from third. Soularie led off the inning with a single up the middle and advanced to third on a two-out single by Martinez before scoring to put the Vols ahead 2-0.

The Big Orange missed out on a great chance to pad their lead in the top of the fifth. A single and a pair of walks loaded the bases with one out for UT, but Soularie lined a ball back at pitcher Cody Greenhill, who made the catch and doubled off Andre Lipcius at first base to escape the jam unscathed.

Auburn carried that momentum into the bottom of the inning, scoring a pair of runs to tie the game at two. Conor Davis doubled to lead off the frame and scored on an RBI ground out by Judd Ward to cut the deficit to one. An infield single by Scheffler one batter later scored Kason Howell from third to tie the game at two.

It looked like the Vols were going to retake the lead in the top of the seventh, but Howell made an incredible diving catch in deep right-center field to rob Lipcius of an RBI and extra bases.

UT countered with an unreal defensive play of its own in the bottom of the inning to keep the game tied. With a runner on second and one out, Martinez made a leaping grab on a hard-hit line drive by Ward and quickly flipped the ball to second to double up Howell to end the inning.

The Orange and White capitalized on the momentum shift with a solo blast by Soularie to lead off the eighth inning. The sophomore crushed a 1-0 pitch over the tall wall in left field to put the Vols back on top, 3-2.

The Tigers took advantage of a leadoff walk and a pair of singles to take their first lead of the game in the bottom of the eighth. The big hit came off the bat of Edouard Julien as he singled to left field with two outs to bring in two runs and give Auburn it’s first lead of the afternoon. A throwing error by Martinez allowed a third run to score in the inning and gave the Tigers a two-run cushion heading into the ninth.

Tennessee put together a two-out rally to load the bases in the top of the ninth, but a ground out to second base ended the game and secured the series sweep for Auburn. Redshirt junior left hander Kyle Gray earned his first victory of the year for the Tigers after tossing the final 1.2 innings.

NOTABLE
SOULARIE GOES DEEP TO CAP SOLID WEEKEND: Sophomore newcomer Alerick Soularie was one of Tennessee’s bright spots offensively over the weekend. The Houston, Texas native had two hits and scored twice in Sunday’s loss. His lead-off solo home run in the top of the eighth gave the Vols a 3-2 lead. Soularie led UT with a .333 batting average, four hits, two runs and two RBI for the series.

MISSED OPPORTUNITIES: Missed opportunities seemed to be the theme of Sunday’s game as the Vols left 11 runners on base. Tennessee left runners on base in the last seven innings of the game and stranded multiple runners on base three times, including leaving the bases loaded in the ninth.

UP NEXT: The Vols will look to get back on track against in-state foe ETSU on Tuesday night in Johnson City. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. ET and fans can listen to John Wilkerson call the action on the Vol Network radio broadcast (AM 990).

Box Score (PDF) | Season Stats (PDF) | SEC Stats (PDF)

-UT Athletics

No. 6/5 Tennessee Falls to No. 11/13 Texas, 2-0

No. 6/5 Tennessee Falls to No. 11/13 Texas, 2-0

Ashley Rogers – Lady Vols / Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 6/5 Lady Vols dropped the final game of the Tennessee Invitational to No. 11/13 Texas, 2-0, at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium on Sunday.

Playing four games total this weekend, Tennessee (23-4, 2-1 SEC) picked up three big wins against BYU and the Longhorns in the tournament

Freshman Ashley Rogers threw her seventh complete game of the season in the outing. Despite being charged with her first loss, the Athens, Tenn., native gave up just two unearned runs on three hits while throwing four strikeouts.

To start the game, both teams exchanged scoreless innings before Texas got on the board in the top of the third.

The Burnt Orange and White scored the first run of the contest on an error by Tennessee’s shortstop and came around to score again on an RBI single, taking a 2-0 lead into the fourth.

The Lady Vols moved runners into scoring position throughout the game with runners reaching second or third base in the first, third, fifth and seventh innings.

UT’s first rally attempt came in the bottom of the third frame as Aubrey Leach and Kaili Phillips advanced to second and third but were left stranded on a groundout to the hot corner.

In the fifth inning, Chelsea Seggern singled up the middle with the two outs before Phillips then doubled down the left-field line. An unassisted out at first got Texas out of the jam before the Lady Vols could scratch a run across.

Seggern once again provided a spark for Tennessee’s offense in the bottom of the seventh with a double to right field with two outs, however, the Big Orange’s efforts fell short as a line drive to Texas’ third baseman ended the game.

ON DECK: The Lady Vols head to Lynchburg, Va., on Tuesday to face Liberty in the first of two midweek games. The matchup is set to begin at 5 p.m. ET. Tennessee then takes on North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET.

Box Score | Highlights | Co-Head Coach Ralph Weekly Postgame Interview

-UT Athletics

Lady Vols Earn 38th Straight NCAA Bid

Lady Vols Earn 38th Straight NCAA Bid

Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The only program to appear in every NCAA Tournament, the University of Tennessee women’s basketball team learned it had been awarded its 38th consecutive postseason bid Monday when the bracket was revealed at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

The Lady Vols (19-12) are seeded No. 11 in the Albany Region. UT will face No. 6 seed UCLA (20-12) in the first round at the XFINITY Center in College Park, Md., on Saturday at approximately 1 p.m. ET. The game will be televised by ESPN2 and also carried on the Lady Vol Radio Network.

No. 3 seed and host Maryland (28-4) will meet No. 14 seed Radford (26-6) in the other first round contest in College Park at 11 a.m. ET on Saturday. That contest also will be televised by ESPN2. The winners of the first-round match-ups will face off on Monday. Time and TV network are to be determined.

The Lady Vols, who are 125-29 all-time in NCAA play, are the only school to appear in all 38 tournaments, winning eight national championships. UCLA, meanwhile, is making its 16th overall NCAA appearance, running its streak of bids to four years in a row.

Tennessee is 30-1 in NCAA First Round games. The only blemish is an opening-round loss to Ball State, 71-55, in Bowling Green, Ky., on March 22, 2009. UT is 6-0 in opening round NCAA games under Holly Warlick, forging a 2-0 record at neutral sites.

The Lady Vols and Bruins will meet for the 20th time, with UT holding an 18-1 advantage in the series. The programs haven’t met since 2011, and this will be their first contest during an NCAA Tournament. They did, however, meet on March 25, 1979, in the AIAW third-place game, with point guard Holly Warlick and the Lady Vols taking a 104-86 victory in Greensboro, N.C.

UCLA posted a 12-6 conference record this season to finish fourth in the Pac-12. Tennessee, which placed eighth in the SEC at 7-9, is 68-21 all-time vs. the Pac-12, facing that league’s runner-up Stanford this season and falling in Knoxville to the Cardinal, 95-85, on Dec. 18.

Tennessee played 11 of the 64 teams in the NCAA Tournament field this season and owns a 6-7 record vs. those squads.  UT captured victories over Auburn (twice), Belmont, Clemson, Missouri and Texas. The Lady Vols suffered losses to tourney teams Kentucky, Mississippi State, Missouri, Notre Dame, South Carolina, Stanford and Texas A&M.

How To Get Tickets: 2018-19 Lady Vol basketball season ticket holders can call the Tennessee Athletics Ticket Office Tuesday and Wednesday to purchase tickets from the official Lady Vol team allotment.  The ticket office can be reached at 865-656-1200 and is open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.

 

UT Athletics

Williams, Barnes Finalists for USBWA National Awards

Williams, Barnes Finalists for USBWA National Awards

Credit: UT Athletics

The United States Basketball Writers Association announced its 2018-19 All-America Team along with finalists for the Oscar Robertson Trophy and the Henry Iba Award on Monday, with Tennessee’s Grant Williams and Rick Barnes up for consideration.

Williams, already the USBWA District IV Player of the Year, was named a USBWA first-team All-American after leading the Vols and the SEC in scoring this season with a career-best 19.0 points per game. He is also Tennessee’s team leader in rebounding (7.6 rpg) and steals (1.1 spg), while ranking second in assists (3.1 apg) and blocks (1.4 bpg).

The junior forward also was one of four finalists for the Oscar Robertson Trophy, which is awarded to the nation’s top player. He was joined by Duke’s R.J. Barrett, Murray State’s Ja Morant and Duke’s Zion Williamson, all of whom are projected lottery picks in this year’s NBA Draft.

Monday’s USBWA award adds to Williams’ growing list of postseason honors. The Charlotte, North Carolina, native also has been named SEC Player of the Year and a first-team All-SEC performer—both for the second straight season. Williams also was named to the SEC Community Service Team, SEC All-Tournament Team and is a Sporting News first-team All-American.

Barnes, who is a four-time USBWA District Coach of the Year, is one of seven finalists for the Henry Iba Award, given to the nation’s most outstanding coach.

Barnes—who is also a semifinalist for Werner Ladder Naismith Men’s College Coach of the Year—has guided the Volunteers to a 29-5 mark. That impressive record includes a school-record 19-game winning streak, a program-record-tying three victories over top-five opponents and the second most victories in a single season in program history.

The Vols spent four weeks atop the Associated Press Top 25 rankings, and for the first time in program history, Tennessee spent the entire season ranked among the top 10.

Up next, the Big Orange will be competing in the NCAA Tournament as a No. 2 seed. Tennessee’s first-round opponent in South Region action is 15th-seeded Colgate on Friday. Two days later, the winner of that game will face the winner of the first-round matchup between Cincinnati and Iowa.

Oscar Robertson Trophy Finalists
National Player of the Year
RJ Barrett, Duke
Grant Williams, Tennessee
Zion Williamson, Duke
Ja Morant, Murray State

Henry Iba Award
National Coach of the Year
Rick Barnes, Tennessee
Chris Beard, Texas Tech
Tony Bennett, Virginia
Mark Few, Gonzaga
Matt Painter, Purdue
Kelvin Sampson, Houston
Mike Young, Wofford

2018-19 USBWA All-America Team
First Team
R.J. Barrett, Duke
Rui Hachimura, Gonzaga
Ja Morant, Murray State
Grant Williams, Tennessee
Zion Williamson, Duke
——————
Second Team
Jarrett Culver, Texas Tech
Carsen Edwards, Purdue
Ethan Happ, Wisconsin
Markus Howard, Marquette
Cassius Winston, Michigan State
——————
Third Team
Chris Clemons, Campbell
Mike Daum, South Dakota State
De’Andre Hunter, Virginia
Dedric Lawson, Kansas
PJ Washington, Kentucky

UT Athletics

In Less Than Two Days, Garth Brooks Has Sold $3.4 Million Worth of His Vinyl Boxed Sets

In Less Than Two Days, Garth Brooks Has Sold $3.4 Million Worth of His Vinyl Boxed Sets

On March 14, Garth Brooks sold more than 14,200 units of his upcoming vinyl boxed set, The Legacy Collection.

The boxed set will feature five albums—No Fences, The Chase, In Pieces, Fresh Horses and Triple Live—available in three different packages: Analog, Remix-Remaster and Limited. Each package includes seven vinyl records.

For 24 hours on March 14, fans were able to purchase all three packages—21 vinyl records—for $100, with a personalized six-digit issue number. Garth moved more than 14,200 units (300,000 vinyl records) for sales totaling more that $1.4 million.

This was the second opportunity to purchase the boxed set, which initially went on sale for 18 hours on Feb. 28. During the first run, Garth sold 20,000 units (420,000 vinyl records) for sales totaling $2 million.

Garth’s The Legacy Collection has now moved more than 34,200 units (720,000 vinyl records) for sales of more than $3.4 million.

The Legacy Collection ships on Nov. 1.

photo by Jason Simanek

George Strait Breaks George Strait’s Attendance Record at Houston Rodeo

George Strait Breaks George Strait’s Attendance Record at Houston Rodeo

George Strait one-upped himself during the final night of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo on March 17.

With 80,108 fans in attendance at NRG Stadium, George surpassed the venue’s previous record of 80,020 attendees, which the King of Country set in 2013. Special guests Robert Earl Keen and Lyle Lovett were also featured during George’s performance, which marked his 30th time onstage at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

George will release his 30th studio album, Honky Tonk Time Machine, on March 29. The new album features 13 songs, including 12 originals and a cover of Johnny Paycheck’s “Old Violin.” George co-penned eight of the tracks, including a duet with Willie Nelson, “Sing One With Willie.” Longtime collaboration Dean Dillon co-penned seven songs, while George’s son, Bubba, co-penned 10 tracks.

photo courtesy of Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Dolly Parton Opens Dollywood for the 2019 Season With New Additions [Photo Gallery]

Dolly Parton Opens Dollywood for the 2019 Season With New Additions [Photo Gallery]

Dolly Parton visited Dollywood on March 15 and 16 to help kick off the 2019 season at the theme park that has featured her name for more than 30 years.

Dolly officially opened the season with the annual Festival of Nations (March 16–April 14), which highlights musical cultures from around the world. In addition to new headliners Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba and Drumstruck, this year’s acts include Invaders Steel Orchestra, Atahualpa, De Temps Antan and Les Grand Hurleurs.

The Festival of Nation’s Passport to Food—helmed by Cuban culinary celebrity Chef Pepin—will showcase dishes from Trinidad, Canada, South Korea, Cuba, Ecuador and more.

In addition to performing, Dolly announced that the park’s $37-million expansion—Wildwood Grove—will open May 10 and 11. Dolly will return to Pigeon Forge this spring for the official ceremony.

Wildwood Grove will feature 11 new experiences for guests, including a new restaurant, climbing structure and roller coaster called the Dragonflier.

“This area is going to give families a place to explore, play and imagine together—but more importantly—it’s a place where they can spend more time together,” Dolly said. “I believe everyone has a song in their heart that needs to be set free. Wildwood Grove will be a place where families can learn together about what their heart song truly is.”

Upcoming Dollywood Events

  • Dollywood’s Festival of Nations: March 16–April 14
  • Barbeque & Bluegrass Festival: May 24–June 2
  • Summer Celebration: June 22–Aug. 4
  • Harvest Festival: Sept. 27–Nov. 2
  • Smoky Mountain Christmas: Nov. 9–Jan. 4

Check out our photo gallery from opening weekend of the Festival of Nations, courtesy of photographer Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com.

photos by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

Country Music Hall of Fame Class of 2019 Includes Brooks & Dunn, Ray Stevens & Jerry Bradley

Country Music Hall of Fame Class of 2019 Includes Brooks & Dunn, Ray Stevens & Jerry Bradley

The Country Music Association announced its Class of 2019 for the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Modern Era: Brooks & Dunn

Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn are the best-selling duo in country music history with 27.5 million U.S. units sold, according to the RIAA. Let that sink in for a minute

With their high-energy live show, they broke out of the box like a bull from the bucking chute, earning four No. 1 singles in a row starting with “Brand New Man” in 1991. They remained in the Top 10, with very few exceptions, until their final release as a duo in 2009. On April 5, Brooks & Dunn will release a new album, Reboot, which features an all-star cast of artists, includingKacey Musgraves, Kane Brown, Thomas Rhett, Brett Young, Lanco, Ashley McBryde, Midland, Luke Combs, Brothers Osborne, Cody Johnson, Jon Pardi and Tyler Booth.

With their 11 platinum albums, they have amassed more than 80 industry awards, including two Grammy, 20 CMAs and 29 ACMs, making them the second-most-awarded act in ACM history. They have been named Entertainer of the Year four times collectively by the ACM and CMA.

Veteran Era: Ray Stevens

Twelve-time nominated and two-time Grammy Award winner Ray Stevens has spanned the generations with 60 years of comedic musical talent, including songs such as his multi-million selling hit “The Streak” and his classic pop standard “Everything Is Beautiful.” Throughout his career, Stevens has sold more than 40 million albums and continues daily office operations at his home base, Ray Stevens Music, located on Nashville’s historic Music Row.

Stevens hosts Ray Stevens CabaRay Nashville, a 30-minute weekly music/talk show airing on Public Television. The music legend recently opened his very own Nashville entertainment venue, the CabaRay Showroom, a 35,000 square foot music venue where Stevens performs weekly live concerts. In the summer of 2018, Stevens’ legacy was cemented into the history of Nashville when he received his very own star on the Music City Walk of Fame.

Songwriter/Musician/Non-Performer: Jerry Bradley

Jerry Bradley has left an indelible mark on the Country Music business. He was the head of RCA Records from 1973 to 1982. During his tenure, Ronnie Milsap, Dolly Parton and Jerry Reed achieved pop-crossover stardom, and Elvis Presley returned to the Country hit parade. Bradley signed Milsap to RCA. In addition, he signed Alabama, and was at the helm of the label as the group achieved stardom with its first chart-topping successes. He oversaw the creation of Country Music’s first Platinum-certified album, Wanted! The Outlaws, ushering in an entire era of Country Music with its stars Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Jessi Colter and Tompall Glaser leading an “outlaw” movement.

As a record producer, Bradley has worked with such Country Music Hall of Fame members as Eddy Arnold, Floyd Cramer, Charley Pride and Dottie West. He was a longtime board member of the Country Music Association and CMA Board President in 1975. He was a key figure in orchestrating CMA’s annual Fan Fair. After the Gaylord company bought Acuff-Rose Publishing in 1985, Bradley was named the head of its newly formed Opryland Music Group. For OMG’s 16th Avenue label, Bradley continued to produce hits for Pride. Among the publishing company’s success stories were Kenny Chesney, Skip Ewing and Aaron Tippin, all of whom became top recording artists.

Bradley belongs to one of the greatest dynasties of the Nashville music industry. His father was Country Music Hall of Fame member Owen Bradley. Jerry’s uncle was Country Music Hall of Fame member Harold Bradley, a member of the fabled “A-Team” of session musicians and believed to be the most recorded guitarist in history. Bradley’s uncle Charlie and cousin Bobby Bradley are noted recording-studio engineers. His aunt was the pioneering female Music Row office manager Ruby Bradley Strange. Jerry’s sister is retired BMI executive Patsy Bradley. His wife Connie Bradley was the chief of ASCAP’s Music City office from 1980 to 2010. His son is artist manager Clay Bradley.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA

Tennessee Chosen for “NCAA March Madness Confidential”

Tennessee Chosen for “NCAA March Madness Confidential”

Credit: UT Athletics

Turner Sports and CBS Sports’ joint coverage of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship includes the return of “NCAA March Madness Confidential,” providing exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to seven NCAA Tournament teams, including Tennessee.

The Volunteers are one of only seven teams selected for this year’s Confidential series, joining Kentucky, Michigan, Houston, Nevada, Marquette and Murray State.

Production crews have been embedded with the teams since Selection Sunday and will chronicle their NCAA Tournament journeys.

Tennessee (29-5) departs Wednesday for Columbus, Ohio, where the second-seeded Vols will open tournament play against 15th-seeded Colgate Friday at 2:45 p.m. ET (CBS).

Tennessee’s award-winning VFL Films unit also will provide in-depth multimedia coverage throughout UT’s NCAA Tournament run, so Big Orange fans will have no shortage of outstanding content during The Big Dance.

Throughout the NCAA Tournament, features will run across multiple platforms – including studio coverage across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV – with online distribution via the official @MarchMadness Twitter and Facebook pages, @MarchMadnessTV, NCAA.comand CBS Sports and Turner Sports social media accounts.

Fans also are encouraged to follow Tennessee’s team accounts on Twitter and Instagram, @Vol_Hoops.

For the ninth consecutive year, Turner Sports and CBS Sports will provide live coverage of all 67 games from the 2019 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship across four national television networks – TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV – and NCAA March Madness Live. This year’s tournament tips off with the NCAA First Four™ on truTV on Tuesday, March 19, and Wednesday, March 20 (6 p.m., ET, both days).

CBS will broadcast this year’s NCAA Final Four National Semifinals on Saturday, April 6, along with the National Championship on Monday, April 8.

 

UT Athletics

Tim McGraw to Perform Free Concert at the NFL Draft in Nashville

Tim McGraw to Perform Free Concert at the NFL Draft in Nashville

Music City is living up to its moniker as host of the 2019 NFL Draft. More than 20 Nashville-based acts will perform during the three-day event (April 25–27), including Tim McGraw.

Tim will perform a free outdoor concert on Lower Broadway on Friday, April 26, at the Draft Main Stage, which is where the player selections will take place. His performance will begin at conclusion of selection activities on April 26. The Draft Main Stage will be located at First and Broadway. More acts will be announced in the coming weeks.

Downtown Nashville’s Lower Broadway and the area outside Nissan Stadium will host free, public activities for the 2019 NFL Draft during the three-day celebration. Representing the largest festival footprint ever created by the NFL, fans can participate in interactive exhibits, immersive games, virtual reality experiences, free player autograph sessions and more.

NFL Draft Experience

  • April 25 (Thursday): Noon to 10 p.m.
  • April 26 (Friday): Noon to 10 p.m.
  • April 27 (Saturday): 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Activities

  • Autograph Stage with current NFL players and NFL Legends
  • Interactive games, Play Football clinics, and PLAY 60 Zone presented by Danimals® for the smallest NFL fans
  • Photo with the Vince Lombardi Trophy
  • NFL Shop presented by Visa at Draft with exclusive NFL merchandise
  • Taste of Tailgate with Nashville restaurants and Bud Light Bars
  • NFL Draft Experience Draft X stage with 1 Nashville-based artists of all genres
  • Look Like a Pro: Step inside a replica NFL Draft Main Stage bearing a draft day jersey of your favorite NFL team and have your photo taken. Share your photos through your favorite social channel and Fan Mobile Pass.
  • PEPSI NFL Helmet Photo Opportunity: Find your favorite NFL team oversized helmet and have your photo taken. Share your photos through your favorite social channel and Fan Mobile Pass.
  • Combine Corner
  • 40-Yard Dash: Race down the field against your opponents and digital NFL players on a giant 40-yard long LED wall.
  • Vertical Jump: Jump as high as you can and hit the corresponding flag to discover your vertical reach just like at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Schermerhorn Symphony Center will host the Selection Square, which features the team tables where representatives from each club will make their Draft selections. The NFL Draft red carpet will take place on April 25 (Thursday) at The Green at Riverfront Park.

Admission to the 2019 NFL Draft is free and open to the public. Fans can follow the action at NFL Draft 2019 with the Fan Mobile Pass app.

photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

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