Lady Vols Ousted From Postseason In 2-1 Loss To UGA

Posted on May 26, 2018
Lady Vols at Georgia / Credit: UT Athletics

ATHENS, Ga. — Cortni Emanuel hit a solo home run in the top of the eighth inning to lead No. 7 seed Georgia to a 2-1 win on Saturday as the Lady Vols were eliminated in the NCAA Athens Super Regional.

Tennessee (48-14) rallied in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game at 1, but Emanuel’s shot proved to be all the Bulldogs (48-11) would need in extras to punch their ticket to the Women’s College World Series.

Caylan Arnold was dealt the loss for UT and ends her season with a 26-6 record. Arnold went 1.2 innings in relief and recorded a pair of strikeouts after Matty Moss struck out three batters in 6.1 innings of work.

After six innings of scoreless softball, the Bulldogs broke through in the top of the seventh. Justice Milz led off the frame with a single up the middle before Alyssa DiCarlo stepped in and hit a triple to the right center gap, allowing Milz to race around and score the go-ahead run. A fielder’s choice then set up runners on the corners with zero outs, but Arnold was able to work her way out of the jam, holding UGA to the lone run in the inning.

UT went into the bottom of the seventh needing a run to keep their season alive. After a groundout and a fielder’s choice, the Lady Vols were down to their last out with a runner on first. Haley Bearden was then hit by a pitch to advance Brooke Langston to second, and Cailin Hannon came up to pinch hit with the Jack Turner Stadium crowd ready to celebrate a Georgia victory. The freshman from Franklin, Tenn., came through in the clutch, however, and delivered a single to center field that scored Langston and tied the game.

In the top of the eighth, Arnold was able to retire two straight batters before Emanuel stepped in and launched one over the right field fence, giving the Bulldogs the decisive 2-1 edge.

Georgia pitcher Mary Wilson Avant went a complete eight innings in the win. Avant had five strikeouts and allowed just four hits on the day to improve to 12-3.

UP NEXT: The loss concludes the 2018 season for the Lady Vols. The team finished with a 48-14 record, matching its win total from last season. UT suffers postseason elimination in the NCAA Super Regional for the second straight year.

Box Score (PDF) | Highlights

-UT Athletics

Lady Vols’ Late Rally Comes Up Short In Game One

Lady Vols’ Late Rally Comes Up Short In Game One

Posted on May 26, 2018
KNOXVILLE, TN – MAY 11, 2017 – Pitcher Caylan Arnold #12 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the 2017 SEC Softball Tournament game between the LSU Tigers and the Tennessee Volunteers at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Austin Perryman/Tennessee Athletics

ATHENS, Ga. — Tennessee scored two runs in the sixth inning and one in the seventh to cut into a 4-0 deficit, but it was not enough as Georgia took the opening game of the NCAA Athens Super Regional on Friday at Jack Turner Stadium.

After the Bulldogs (46-11) hit back-to-back home runs in the third inning to go ahead by four, the Lady Vols (48-13) were able to settle in defensively and held Georgia to zero runs over the final three frames. Caylan Arnold went a full six innings in the loss, recording three strikeouts while yielding seven hits.

Georgia got out to a strong start with a pair of first-inning runs that made it 2-0. Cortni Emanuel led off with a bunt single, and two batters later a Justice Milz double to left center brought Emanuel all the way home from first. A base knock from Alyssa DiCarlo put Milz on third before she was able to tag up on a deep fly from Alysen Febrey.

The Bulldogs would increase their lead in the bottom of the third thanks to back-to-back solo home runs from DiCarlo and Febrey. DiCarlo finished the game with a 2-for-3, 2 RBI performance while Febrey went 1-for-2 with a pair of RBIs herself.

Following a rain delay that lasted one hour and 57 minutes, the Lady Vols came back on the field looking to find some momentum that would help them claw back into the game. Tennessee finally found an offensive spark in the top of the sixth, as Meghan Gregg led off with a line drive single up the middle and Chelsea Seggern was hit by a pitch to put two runners on with no outs. A groundout from Ashley Morgan advanced the runners to second and third, and Abby Lockman lifted a deep fly ball that allowed Gregg to tag up and put a run on the board for the Big Orange. Amanda Ayala then drilled a double to left center that brought in Seggern and cut the UGA advantage to 4-2.

After Arnold sent the Bulldogs down with four pitches in the bottom of the sixth, the Lady Vols came right back up to bat trying to carry over their newfound firepower. Leach drew a leadoff walk and Jenna Holcomb followed with a walk of her own. Gregg then grounded into a fielder’s choice, but was able to beat out the throw to first and negate the double play. Leach advanced to third on the play, and as the attempted throw to get Gregg out got past the first baseman, Leach took off for home and scored to make it a one-run ballgame. Seggern then hit into a fielder’s choice that took UT down to its final out. A fielding error kept Tennessee alive for a moment, but it would prove to be too little, too late, as Lockman flied out to center to end the game.

Kylie Bass earned the win for the Bulldogs, improving to 15-3 on the season. Bass went 5.2 innings and struck out two batters, before Mary Wilson Avant came in to secure the last four outs.

UP NEXT: The Lady Vols look to keep their season alive on Saturday as they take on the Bulldogs in Game 2 at 3:00 p.m.

 

UT Athletics

Jimmy’s blog: Just one Knoxville team wins state out of 7 divisions

Jimmy’s blog: Just one Knoxville team wins state out of 7 divisions

Posted on May 25, 2018

By Jimmy Hyams

Despite having home court advantage, Knoxville won only one of the seven adult 55 state championships held at West Hills Courts and Tyson Family Tennis Center.

The Knoxville 55 and over team captained by Scott Thompson won the adult 55 and over with a convincing 5-0 record and a 12-3 mark in individual matches.

The team consisted of John Watson, Ken Wuelzer, Mark Keck, Stan Kimmett, Craig Allen, Dale Rehkamp, Steven Beasley, Greg Carga, Robert Scott, Gary Irwin, Mike Canada, Chris Curtis and Phil Chandler.

Murfreesboro was second at 4-1.

The Knoxville 4.0 women’s team of Long placed second to Nashville.

The Knoxville 4.0 men’s team of Jack Hatfield placed second in state as did the women’s 55 and over team of Nelson.

Sectionals will be held in Asheville in September.

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

Jimmy’s blog: Groer 4-peats at Senior event with new partner

Jimmy’s blog: Groer 4-peats at Senior event with new partner

Posted on May 25, 2018

By Jimmy Hyams

Knoxville’s Chris Groer was looking to four-peat as the 40s doubles champion in the Atlanta Senior Invitational.

Then he was looking for a partner.

Groer and Knoxville’s John Fritts, a former Tennessee tennis player, had won the Atlanta event three times in a row. But Fritts cramped during his singles match,

Groer noticed that his singles nemesis, Eduardo Rincon, a former Davis Cup player for Colombia, wasn’t playing doubles.

Groer asked Rincon. Rincon said yes. And the rest of the doubles field said “uncle.’’

Groer and Rincon blitzed through the field, losing only four games in xxx matches, capturing 20 games in a row and taking the finals with ease, 6-0, 6-2.

“Eduardo was back by the fence, ripping returns,’’ Groer said. “The only time he came to the net is to shake hands.’’

Groer and Rincon, the tennis coach at Kennesaw (Ga) State, have crossed paths as opponents several times. Groer lost a Futures match to Rincon on the clay in Florida in 1998. Last year, he lost to Rincon in singles in the Senior Cup in Huntsville, Ala., 11-9 in a super tie-breaker.

“He’s had my number in singles for about 20 years,’’ Groer said.

On the flip side, Groer has never lost to Rincon in doubles.

“It was sort of a good partnership,’’ Groer said.

Due to other obligations, Groer was unable to play in the 40 singles. He’s won it twice and lost in the finals twice.

Next year, Groer advances to the 45s in singles and doubles.

Next weekend, Groer and Fritts will play for Tennessee in the 35 division of the Senior Cup, along with big-serving John Chesworth of Knoxville. It will be Groer’s 10th year in a row in the competition.

In the 45s, Knoxville will be represented by Bob Williams, Taylor Hamilton and John Gibson.

Georgia is the No. 1 seed, Tennessee the No. 2 seed.

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

Jimmy’s blog: Kirkland departure underscores reason to move players around

Jimmy’s blog: Kirkland departure underscores reason to move players around

Posted on May 25, 2018

By Jimmy Hyams

Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt made about a dozen position changes during spring practice.

He moved a running back to cornerback, a receiver to cornerback, a receiver to corner then safety then back to receiver. He moved several defensive linemen to offensive line. He moved a tight end to linebacker, a linebacker to tight end.

Pruitt’s reasoning was two-fold: 1. Find the best position for the player, and, 2. build depth.

“The big thing is, we’re trying to figure out who our best football players are and we’re trying to figure out what their strengths and weaknesses are,’’ Pruitt said.

“At linebacker, you’ll have guys that play inside backer and they’ll also have the ability to play outside backer. So if you have injuries, it’s an opportunity to create depth.’’

Or if you have defections.

Tennessee had a surprising defection Thursday night when Darrin Kirkland Jr., considered one of the team’s better defenders, announced he was leaving Tennessee. He will be a grad transfer with two years of eligibility remaining. He sat out last season with a knee injury and missed about half of the 2016 season due to injury.

Filling Kirkland’s shoes won’t be easy. Daniel Bituli and Quart’e Sapp are the likely starters at inside linebacker, if UT does indeed run a 3-4. Will Ignont is probably the next best inside backer. Or maybe it will be freshman J.J. Peterson.

Kirkland’s departure is an example of why Pruitt moves players around to build depth.

Pruitt didn’t just try to find backers who could play inside or out. He looked for defensive backs who could play corner or safety. And there was more.

“We actually had some guys that changed sides of the ball,’’ Pruitt said.

“So, we’re just trying to create value in them and it probably helps them learn the entire system.’’

Is there a chance Pruitt could make more position changes based on what he saw during the spring game.

“There’s probably some guys that are going to be moved that have no idea that they’re going to be moved,’’ Pruitt said in an interview on SportsTalk, WMNL radio. “So, we’ll have to see where that goes this summer and fall.’’

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

Luke Bryan Announces Cities and Dates for 10th Annual Farm Tour

Luke Bryan Announces Cities and Dates for 10th Annual Farm Tour

Posted on May 25, 2018

Luke Bryan announced that his 10th annual Farm Tour will visit six cities this fall. The tour will make stops at farms in Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Florida, South Carolina and Georgia between Sept. 27–Oct. 6.

Over the years, Luke has awarded more than 50 college scholarships to local students from farming families within the communities the tour has played.

“I can’t believe we’ve been doing this 10 years.” said Luke. “Our goal was to bring big-city production concerts into these small towns across the U.S. giving those communities the opportunity to attend shows that would never come their way.”

Tickets for the this year’s Farm Tour go on sale on June 6 at 10 a.m. local time. Presale tickets for Luke’s Fan Club (the Nut House), Luke’s official App and Citi® card members begin on June 1 at 10 a.m. local time.

Luke Bryan Farm Tour 2018

Sept. 27 – Irwin, OH – Springfork Farms
Sept. 28 – Pesotum, IL – Atkins Farm
Sept. 29 – Boone, IA – Ziel Farm
Oct. 4 – Archer, FL – Whitehurst Cattle Company
Oct. 5 – North Augusta, SC – Misty Morning Farms
Oct. 6 – Ringgold, GA – Doug Yates Farms

photo by Jason Simanek

Eli Young Band’s Emotionally Charged Video for “Love Ain’t” Follows the Love Story of a Wounded Warrior & His Soulmate [Watch]

Eli Young Band’s Emotionally Charged Video for “Love Ain’t” Follows the Love Story of a Wounded Warrior & His Soulmate [Watch]

Posted on May 25, 2018

Eli Young Band released an emotionally charged video for their new single, “Love Ain’t.”

The new clip follows the love story of Taylor Morris—an explosive ordnance disposal technician with the Navy who became a quadruple amputee after an explosion in Afghanistan in 2012—and his girlfriend of more than a decade, Danielle, who remained by Taylor’s side.

The inspiring clip features personal videos of Taylor’s rehab, his 2013 homecoming in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and marriage to Danielle.

“We first learned about Taylor and Danielle a couple of years ago, and there is no doubt their story speaks to what love is,” says EYB frontman Mike Eli. “When thinking about their story and the deeper meaning in this song—how important love is and to know what love ain’t—we knew the video should reflect that. [Band members] James, Chris, Jon and I all have family members who are part of the military so we know there are more couples struggling every day and how quickly lives are changed.”

Eli Young Band teamed with Wounded Warrior Project for the video to help bring to light the growing needs of servicemen and women, their families and caregivers. You can help support Wounded Warriors by making a donation today.

Watch the video for “Love Ain’t” below.

photo courtesy of Triple 8 Management

“My Video Is Totally Awesome” Podcast: Aaron Tippin’s 1995 No. 1 Hit, “That’s as Close as I’ll Get to Loving You”

“My Video Is Totally Awesome” Podcast: Aaron Tippin’s 1995 No. 1 Hit, “That’s as Close as I’ll Get to Loving You”

Posted on May 25, 2018

On this episode of the My Video Is Totally Awesome Podcast, NCD editor in chief Jim Casey sits down with Aaron Tippin to talk about the video for his 1995 No. 1 hit, “That’s as Close as I’ll Get to Loving You.”

Check out the video breakdown below, as well as the full video.

0:04aaron-tippin-tbt-scenes-01

First of all, you’ll notice the video is in black and white. Why? Because this is the Casablanca of ’90s country music videos—full of angst and unrequited love. Now, back to the play-by-play. This is our first glimpse of what we assume to be a rich poindexter (notice his big house, nerdy glasses and suspenders). Also, notice his smoking-hot wife, who is wearing a bathrobe because she doesn’t have to go to work. Must be a nice life.

0:11aaron-tippin-tbt-scenes-02

Take a gander at the yard help—yep, it’s Aaron Tippin with his glorious mustache, flannel shirt and tool belt. And yes, he is wearing an undershirt (just a little foreshadowing).

0:18aaron-tippin-tbt-scenes-03

Aaron waves to the poindexter, as if to say, “Don’t worry about me sleeping with your wife while you’re at work.”

0:19aaron-tippin-tbt-scenes-04

The poindexter waves back, not the least concerned with Aaron’s rugged masculinity impressing his wife while he’s gone.

0:25aaron-tippin-tbt-scenes-05

Aaron makes eye contact with the smoking-hot wife, and gives her a head nod. He’s just here to clean the yard and such.

0:26aaron-tippin-tbt-scenes-06

The smoking-hot wife is impressed. But who wouldn’t be?

0:36aaron-tippin-tbt-scenes-07

A sweaty Aaron finds refuge in his fortress of solitude: the tool shed, where he has stripped down to his A-shirt, as these old-fashioned sleeveless numbers are called, and is reverse-seated in a chair—because that’s how a badass sits in a chair. He also begins to sing about his unrequited love.

0:44aaron-tippin-tbt-scenes-08

Aaron cuts a little lumber with a circular saw. Nothing to see here, or is there?

0:50aaron-tippin-tbt-scenes-x1

Now it’s time to water the trees.

1:03aaron-tippin-tbt-scenes-09

The smoking-hot wife is joined by her smoking-hot friends (who are also unemployed) for a day of relaxing under the pergola and sipping beverages. Perhaps the sweaty yard boy (or is it yard man?) would like a sip.

1:44aaron-tippin-tbt-scenes-10

Indeed, Aaron is thirsty, and the beverage is most appreciated. If only there was a way he could more appropriately thank her. But remember, Aaron waved at the poindexter earlier, and his wave is much like his handshake—a bond that won’t be broken.

1:51aaron-tippin-tbt-scenes-11

Aaron does a little bit of stalking from his fortress of solitude.

No harm, no foul.

1:57aaron-tippin-straw

Unnecessary close-up of the smoking-hot wife drinking from a straw. This was the ’90s, and straws were considered very sexy.

2:16aaron-tippin-tbt-scenes-13

Back in the yard, Aaron displays more of his rugged masculinity by swinging a pickaxe. He’s sweaty…very sweaty.

2:32aaron-tippin-tbt-scenes-14

Smoking-hot wife is also sweaty. It’s time for a dip in the pool. Is Aaron invited?

Find out in 11 seconds.

2:43aaron-tippin-tbt-scenes-15

He is not invited.

Back in the tool shed, a glistening Aaron now stands from his seated position and wails.

We all feel his pain.

2:55aaron-tippin-tbt-scenes-16

To everyone’s disappointment, poindexter returns home from work to see that his wife has not been ravaged by Aaron.

3:18aaron-tippin-tbt-scenes-17

It’s time for Aaron to go home—just a man, his mustache and his muscles. Surely he finds solace in a hard day’s work.

Oh, he does, he surely does.

Watch the Video in Full

Big Orange Caravan Makes Final Stop in Kingsport

Big Orange Caravan Makes Final Stop in Kingsport

Posted on May 24, 2018
Phillip Fulmer – Vols AD / Credit: UT Athletics

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – The Big Orange Caravan made its fifth and final stop in Kingsport on Thursday night, the most attended stop of the event’s 2018 tour.

Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer, head football coach Jeremy Pruitt, head men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes and head women’s basketball coach Holly Warlick were all in attendance, signing autographs and posing for pictures with fans in addition to taking part in a Q&A session with “Voice of the Vols” Bob Kesling.

Also in attendance was former Tennessee quarterback Heath Shuler, letterman from 1991-1993. Shuler joined Kesling on stage and offered up his thoughts on the recent hires of his former head coach as the new director of athletics.

“These are exciting times when you think about the rich tradition at Tennessee,” Shuler said. “When Phillip Fulmer was announced as the new athletic director at Tennessee, I had the same exact feeling that I did when we won the national championship.

“It’s a sense of peace and leadership put back into the program that we’ve needed.”

Shuler also applauded new head football coach Jeremy Pruitt, whom he has been able to spend some time with in recent weeks.

“You have a lot of excitement when you look at his work ethic, the players he’s coached, how he’s recruited, and really the coaching staff that he’s put around him,” Shuler said. “I couldn’t be more excited about the future of this program and the path that we’re on.”

The Sullivan and Washington County Alumni Chapters awarded two scholarships at the event to rising UT freshmen Kennedi Hambrick (Washington County’s recipient) and Grant Wilmoth (Sullivan County’s recipient).

“I’m very thankful because this will help with paying tuition and everything else that I need,” Hambrick said. “It’s great to be a Vol and to be able to go to UT and support the school”

Added Wilmoth: “Receiving this scholarship means a lot. It’s such an honor to be able to represent the UTK Alumni Association, and the scholarship is very helpful in paying for college.”

UT Athletics
Darrin Kirkland Jr announces he’s transferring; what happens now at LB?

Darrin Kirkland Jr announces he’s transferring; what happens now at LB?

Posted on May 24, 2018

By Vince Ferrara / @VinceSports

Tennessee redshirt junior linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr (6’1, 238) announced on Thursday that he is transferring from the University of Tennessee.

Darrin Kirkland Jr. / Credit: UT Athletics

Kirkland, an Indianapolis native, missed his junior season in 2017 due to injuries. Injuries played a part in shortening his sophomore season as well, when he played in 8 games with 6 starts. He was not as effective when returning from injury in 2016. Admittedly, he wasn’t fully healthy until before last season when he suffered another injury set-back that kept him out for the entire season..

An all-SEC selection as a freshman, Kirkland played in 13 games including 10 starts on John Jancek’s defense in 2015. He finished second among SEC freshmen in tackles (66) and fourth among freshmen all-time at UT.

In two playing seasons, Kirkland finished with 21 games played (tied for the most among Vols linebackers with Daniel Bituli.) He started 16 games in his time in the orange and white. That’s by far the most among UT’s LBs. The next most experienced starters are Daniel Bituli and Quart’e Sapp who’ve started 8 games at UT. Kirkland totaled 111 tackles in his career, 11.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 2 passes defensed, 1 fumble recovery and 1 interception.

Purdue (his home state of Indiana near Indianapolis,) North Carolina (former UT coaches Tommy Thigpen and Robert Gillespie on staff there now,) Michigan (one-time commit before switching to Tennessee,) Kentucky (former DC John Jancek is there as a consultant) and Mississippi State (former DC Bob Shoop is now the DC there) could be potential landing spots for Kirkland Jr.. That’s purely initial connecting of the dots though. Kirkland will likely have no shortage of suitors. If healthy, he may have been the Vols’ best linebacker this upcoming season. He could be an impact starter for his new team, again, if healthy.

Here’s hoping Jeremy Pruitt gives him full clearance to go where he wants as a graduate transfer.

Darrin Kirkland Jr. / Credit: UT Athletics

Vince’s View

So what does Tennessee do to replace one of the expected starting inside linebackers?

First off, there are now 12 scholarship linebackers left on the team. They have enough numbers, but they lack experience and the quality is still a question mark. The 12 remaining returning linebackers only have 24 career starts among them. 7 of those starts are by converted defensive end Darrell Taylor. As mentioned above, Bituli and Sapp have started 8 games, while Austin Smith has started 1 game.

Daniel Bituli strengthens his hold on one inside LB spot, if healthy. Quart’e Sapp practiced at first-team ILB in the Spring, but he’s still a little undersized to what they ideally want inside. Sapp is smart, can run and could continue to add weight as he already has. Coming out of Spring practice, I believed Sapp was going to be moved back to outside linebacker in the Fall with the return of Kirkland Jr and Bituli inside. That may still happen, if they can find a second inside linebacker to pair with Bituli. Sophomore Will Ignont is a possibility. He played in five games as a freshman last season. He also saw an increased workload with Kirkland Jr and Bituli out for most of the Spring. He started for the first team defense alongside Sapp at ILB in the Orange and White Spring game.

Another name to watch is incoming true freshman LB JJ Peterson. He’s big (last listed at 6’2, 231 but could be bigger by Fall,) physical and athletic. I think he fits the mold of what Pruitt wants in a versatile linebacker that can run. He’s a four-for-four guy as Pruitt has phrased LBs that can play all four positions. I already thought Peterson would shoot up the depth chart quickly before the Kirkland departure. I think this presents an even quicker opportunity for the high 4-star, near 5-star from Moultrie, Georgia.

We’ll never know what Kirkland would have looked like in Pruitt’s defense. This transfer thins another position that actually had some potential to be pretty good this year on paper. Maybe it still will be pretty good, but new “best football players” will need to emerge and show-out to Pruitt and his staff.

Country News

Weather

  • Forecast
  • Currents
  • Planner