Gregg’s Five RBIs Lead Vols to Series Win at #6 Texas A&M

Gregg’s Five RBIs Lead Vols to Series Win at #6 Texas A&M

Posted on May 8, 2017
Meghan Gregg – UT / Credit: UT Athletics

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — No. 9 Tennessee scored early and often for an 8-3 victory in the rubber game against No. 6 Texas A&M on Sunday afternoon at the Aggie Softball Complex.

Meghan Gregg hit a grand slam in the second inning and finished the day with five RBIs to move into fourth on UT’s single-season RBI list with 71. Brooke Vines also had a good day at the plate with a hit and two RBIs as the Vols finished with nine hits and scored eight runs for the second consecutive game.

Vines got the Volunteers off to a good start with an RBI single in the top of the first inning. Jenna Holcomb displayed some heads up baserunning to score from second on the play after walking earlier in the inning.

Tennessee’s lead didn’t last long however, as Tori Vidales lined a two-run homer over the left-field fence in the bottom of the first to give the Aggies a 2-1 lead. Vidales hit a solo home run in the first inning of Saturday’s game as well.

The Vols (44-9, 16-7 SEC) didn’t waste any time retaking the lead in the second, as Gregg hammered a 2-1 pitch over the wall in center field for a grand slam, spotting UT a 5-2 lead. It was Gregg’s third grand slam of the season and the sixth overall for the Big Orange this year.

Texas A&M (42-9, 16-7 SEC) cut into the lead in the bottom of the third with another home run from Vidales, her second of the game and third of the series. The solo shot was her 13th of the season and lowered the deficit to two heading into the fourth inning.

Chelsea Seggern got that run back for the Vols in the fifth with an RBI double to the gap in right center, driving in Katie Weimer all the way from first base. The Orange and White added another pair of runs in the sixth to increase their lead to five. Gregg drove in her fifth run of the game with a single to right field before Vines brought in Holcomb with a sacrifice fly to make it 8-3.

The Aggies didn’t go down quietly in the seventh, making things interesting with three runs in the bottom half of the inning. Vidales smashed her third home run of the game, a three-run shot, to make it 8-6 before Moss got Sartain to ground out to end the game.

Moss got the win to improve to 23-2 on the year despite giving up five runs. Caylan Arnold tossed three innings of relief, allowing one run while striking out three Aggies.

UP NEXT: Tennessee begins postseason play in the SEC Tournament on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. The Vols will be the No. 3 seed and play the winner of the 6/11 matchup, which will take place on Wednesday.

GREGG MOVES UP RECORD LISTS: With her grand slam in the second inning, junior Meghan Gregg moved into sole possession of fourth on UT’s single-season RBIs list. She added another RBI in the sixth to up her season total to 71. She needs just three more to pass Tonya Callahan (73 in 2006) for third and seven more to move into first place, overtaking Kristi Durant (77 in 2005) and Bridget Jackson (77 in 1996).

Gregg also moved into a tie for first on Tennessee’s career grand slams list with four, tying current volunteer assistant coach Madison Shipman. Her three grand slams this season are also the most by one player in a single season in program history.

TOURNEY TIME!: With the regular season over, the Vols will begin postseason play this week at the SEC Tournament, which will be hosted at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville. With today’s win, Tennessee locked up the No. 3 seed for the second straight season and will have a first-round bye before opening its postseason on Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. against the winner of the 6/11 matchup.

-UT Athletics

 

Vols split two-game rain-shortened series with Arkansas

Vols split two-game rain-shortened series with Arkansas

Posted on May 8, 2017
Garrett Stallings – UT / Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee starter Garrett Stallings threw six strong innings, but the Volunteers could not muster any runs in Game Two of this week’s series against Arkansas, falling to the Razorbacks, 2-0, on Saturday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

Tennessee and Arkansas split the series, which was reduced to two games due to rain over the previous days. The Vols enjoyed a 5-4 win over the Razorbacks in Game One, which started on Thursday, but was completed at midday on Saturday.

With the loss, Tennessee moves to 24-19 (7-15 SEC) on the season, while No. 14 Arkansas improves to 35-13 (14-9 SEC).

Luc Lipcius’ single to left field in the second inning was the Vols’ lone hit of the game. He moved into scoring position on a passed ball, but Arkansas starter Trevor Stephan induced a pair of foulouts to leave him stranded.

Tennessee’s Jordan Rodgers reached base in the fourth inning after an error by Arkansas’ third baseman Jared Gates. The senior was unable to score after Stephan induced a Luc Lipcius flyout to center and sent Andre Lipcius down swinging for his eighth strikeout.

Matt Waldren reached base twice. He was hit by a pitch in the fifth and drew a walk in the seventh. Waldren has now reached base in each of his past eight games played, which is his longest streak this season.

Both teams held each other scoreless until the top of the fifth inning, when Arkansas’ Dominic Fletcher hit a one-out home run to right field to give the Razorbacks the lead. This marked Fletcher’s second homer of the series.

Arkansas right-handed pitcher Trevor Stephan (5-3) racked up 11 strikeouts and limited Tennessee to just one hit over seven scoreless frames.

Stallings (3-2) had a strong start, striking out three of his first five batters faced, but allowed six hits and two runs over the remainder of his six innings pitched.

Left-handed pitcher Zach Warren came in for relief in the top of the seventh frame, striking out three of the five batters that he faced.

TENNESSEE QUICK HITS

  • With the loss, Tennessee moves to a 33-27 all-time record against Arkansas, including a 14-13 mark in games played in Knoxville.
  • On Deck for the Vols: Tennessee plays back-to-back midweek contests next week, hosting Belmont on Tuesday, May 9 before traveling to Eastern Kentucky on Wednesday, May 10. The Vols then continue on to Lexington for a three-game set visiting SEC opponent Kentucky Wildcats (Friday, May 12 – Sunday, May 14).
  • Saturday’s doubleheader attendance at Lindsey Nelson Stadium: 1,598

-UT Athletics

 

Margo vs. Cargo: Margo Price Has Unpleasant Experience Aboard American Airlines [Watch]

Margo vs. Cargo: Margo Price Has Unpleasant Experience Aboard American Airlines [Watch]

Posted on May 7, 2017

American Airlines may have recently been voted Cargo Airline of the Year for the third year in a row for “the best overall customer experience,” but you can bet singer/songwriter Margo Price will be disputing that claim.

Margo posted a video today (May 7) of American Airlines’ employees removing her guitar from the overhead bin after it had been secured. According to FAA guidelines, a guitar is permitted as carry-on baggage.

Check out what the FAA has to say before you watch Margo’s unpleasant experience.

1. SMALL INSTRUMENTS AS CARRY-ON BAGGAGE — An air carrier providing air transportation shall permit a passenger to carry a violin, guitar, or other musical instrument in the aircraft cabin, without charging the passenger a fee in addition to any standard fee that carrier may require for comparable carry-on baggage, if …

(A) the instrument can be stowed safely in a suitable baggage compartment in the aircraft cabin or under a passenger seat, in accordance with the requirements for carriage of carry-on baggage or cargo established by the administrator; and

(B) there is space for such stowage at the time the passenger boards the aircraft.

Dierks Bentley, Scotty McCreery, Chris Young & More Celebrate Nashville Predators Historic Win With Sweet Tweets

Dierks Bentley, Scotty McCreery, Chris Young & More Celebrate Nashville Predators Historic Win With Sweet Tweets

Posted on May 7, 2017

The Nashville Predators defeated the St. Louis Blues today (May 7) to advance to the NHL’s Western Conference Finals for the first time, where they will take on the winner of the Anaheim Ducks vs. the Edmonton Oilers.

Nashville’s country music community chimed in on Twitter to congratulate the Preds on their historic win.

Check out some of the tweets below.

The Only Funny Thing About Jennifer Nettles Falling Off Stage and Breaking Her Rib? Her Tweets!

The Only Funny Thing About Jennifer Nettles Falling Off Stage and Breaking Her Rib? Her Tweets!

Posted on May 7, 2017

Much like recent accidental stage divers Tim McGraw, Thomas Rhett and Granger Smith, Jennifer Nettles took a nasty tumble off stage on Thursday (May 4) at NYC’s Hammerstein Ballroom as she was getting ready to perform as part of a Time Inc. presentation.

Jennifer was rushed to a nearby hospital via ambulance where she was diagnosed with a broken rib. Evidently, the fall didn’t hurt the 42-year-old singer’s sense of humor. Jennifer has posted a number of entertaining tweets over the past couple of days.

Check ’em out below . . . and get well soon, J-Nett.

Watch Lady Antebellum Perform the National Anthem Before the Nashville Predators Final Home Playoff Game of Round 2

Watch Lady Antebellum Perform the National Anthem Before the Nashville Predators Final Home Playoff Game of Round 2

Posted on May 7, 2017

The NHL’s Nashville Predators were back in action against the St. Louis Blues for Game 6 of their Round 2 playoff series on Sunday afternoon (May 7).

Like the Preds four previous home playoff games, the performance of the national anthem was a star-studded affair—this time it was Lady Antebellum.

In Round 1 of the playoffs against the Chicago Blackhawks, Carrie Underwood (April 17) and Luke Bryan (April 20) sang the national anthem before Games 3 and 4, respectively.

In Round 2 against the St. Louis Blues, Little Big Town (April 30) and Vince Gill (May 2) had the honors before Games 3 and 4, respectively.

On May 7 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, Lady A’s Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood sang the anthem in front of the sellout crowd.

Watch their performance below.

Jimmy’s blog: UT receiver arrested after fight with male roommate

Jimmy’s blog: UT receiver arrested after fight with male roommate

Posted on May 6, 2017

Josh Smith, a rising senior receiver on the Tennessee football team, has been charged with domestic assault of his male roommate, Kennedy Foster.

Smith and Foster, who live in an off-campus house, got into a fight late Friday night at the house. Foster was taken to a hospital by Smith or a member of the Smith family.

Foster, a childhood friend of Josh Smith, is believed to have suffered a broken nose.

After being questioned at the hospital, Smith was charged, arrested and jailed early Saturday morning. He was scheduled to be bonded out early Saturday afternoon.

Knox County has a zero tolerance policy regarding domestic violence.

“We understand (and agree with) the policy of law enforcement to make an arrest in any situation of domestic violence,’’ said Keith Stewart, the Smith’s family attorney. “Following a full investigation, we expect a positive resolution for Josh. We do not believe Josh is guilty of a crime. He has cooperated with law enforcement and he will continue to cooperate fully.’’

University of Tennessee officials were made aware of the incident Saturday morning but there has been no comment on possible disciplinary action against Smith.

Smith, a product of Knoxville Christian Academy, has played in 39 career games for the Vols, starting 19. He has 58 career catches for 721 yards and five touchdowns.

 

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Loretta Lynn Suffers Stroke, Remains Under Medical Care

Loretta Lynn Suffers Stroke, Remains Under Medical Care

Posted on May 5, 2017

According to a Friday afternoon (May 5) message on Loretta Lynn’s website, the Country Music Hall of Fame member suffered a stroke on May 4 at her Tennessee home.

The post stated:

American country music legend Loretta Lynn was admitted into a hospital in Nashville last night after she suffered a stroke at her home in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee.

She is currently under medical care and is responsive and expected to make a full recovery.

Loretta, who just celebrated her 85th birthday, has been advised by her doctors to stay off the road while she is recuperating. Regrettably, upcoming scheduled shows will be postponed.

Loretta’s sister, Crystal Gayle, posted a message on Twitter, thanking fans for their prayers and support.

Loretta is scheduled to release a new album, Wouldn’t It Be Great, on Aug. 18. All of the tunes on the new 10-song offering were penned or co-penned by Loretta. Like the album’s predecessor, the Grammy-nominated Full Circle (March 2016), Wouldn’t It Be Great was mainly recorded at the Cash Cabin Studio in Hendersonville, Tenn., with producers Patsy Lynn Russell and John Carter Cash. The album features new songs “Ruby’s Stool,” “Ain’t No Time to Go” and “I’m Dying for Someone to Live For” alongside newly recorded renditions of past compositions such as “God Makes No Mistakes,” “Coal Miner’s Daughter” and “Don’t Come Home A’ Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind).”

“I think you try to do better with every record you put out,” Loretta said in a press release in April. “It’s just everyday living—and everybody wants to know, ‘Well, what is it about your songs that people like?’ I think you’ve got to tell your stories. I just think it hits everybody, you know, the songs.”

NCD will keep you apprised of any updates.

 

photo courtesy PBS

Josh Abbott and Girlfriend Welcome Baby Daughter to the Family

Josh Abbott and Girlfriend Welcome Baby Daughter to the Family

Posted on May 5, 2017

Josh Abbott Band’s Josh Abbott and his girlfriend, Taylor Parnell, welcomed a baby daughter into the world this morning (May 5). Emery Farryn Abbott, who weighed 6 lbs., 13 oz., was born in Austin, Texas, at 1 a.m.

“The name Emery Farryn means ‘Brave Adventure,’” said Josh. “We wanted to do something similar . . . to how my brother named his daughter Eisley Dawn, which means ‘Cheerful Beginnings.’ The word ‘brave’ is a word I used to describe Taylor in a song I wrote for her, ‘I’m Your Only Flaw,’ on the new album coming out this year.”

Congrats to the happy couple.

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