FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – No. 12/17 Tennessee once again jumped out to an early lead but struggled in the middle innings to drop Saturday’s series and regular-season finale by a score of 8-4 against No. 5/8 Arkansas at Baum-Walker Stadium.
Andrew Fischer was force again for the Vols (41-15, 16-14 SEC) and stuffed the stat sheet by finishing 3-for-4 with a walk, a run scored, a double, a home run and three RBIs. His two-run blast in the sixth inning was his 22nd of the year, which leads the SEC.
Ryder Helfrick homered and drove in five runs to lead the Razorbacks (43-12, 20-10 SEC), including a grand slam in the third inning that gave them a 6-2 lead they would not relinquish.
Tegan Kuhns pitched better than his final line would indicate but was stuck with the loss after giving up five runs (four earned) on three hits and three walks over just two innings of work.
A tough balk call on a pickoff attempt at first base that would have resulted in an out, followed by an error and two straight walks, kickstarted Arkansas five-run third inning and ended Kuhns’ day early.
The bullpen duo of Brayden Krenzel and Brandon Arvidson did well to stop the bleeding and keep UT in the game with five combined solid innings of relief. Krenzel finished with five strikeouts and allowed just one run on one hit over 2.2 innings before handing things over the Arvidson, who pitched 2.1 scoreless frames while retiring all six batters he faced to go along with a career-high tying four strikeouts.
Gage Wood got the win for the Razorbacks after striking out seven and allowing two runs on seven hits over three innings while Will McEntire secured his second save with 3.2 hitless innings to finish the game.
Up Next – SEC Tournament
Following Saturday’s results around the league, Tennessee will enter next week’s SEC Tournament in Hoover, Alabama as the No. 8 seed and play its opening game on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. local time (10:30 a.m. ET) against the winner of Tuesday’s first-round game between nine-seed Alabama and 16-seed Missouri.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Junior Karlyn Pickens delivered a dominant performance Saturday as No. 7 Tennessee topped Ohio State, 4-2, at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium to secure a spot in the Knoxville Regional final.
Pickens threw her 20th complete game in Saturday’s win, improving to 22-8 on the year. The flamethrower allowed two runs – one earned – on five hits with two walks and 10 strikeouts. Pickens has registered double-digit strikeouts in 11 outings this season, including four of her last seven appearances.
Tennessee (42-14) was balanced at the plate, with eight different Lady Vols recording a hit as part of a nine-hit afternoon. Senior Kinsey Fiedler led the charge, going 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored.
The Lady Vols struck early as Fiedler led off the bottom of the first with a double to right and advanced to third on a groundout. Taylor Pannell then drove in her 62nd RBI of the season with a sacrifice fly, giving UT a 1-0 lead.
Tennessee added a run in the fourth on a clutch RBI single up the middle by Gabby Leach, scoring Laura Mealer.
A two-run fifth provided key insurance. With two on, Sophia Nugent lifted a sacrifice fly to center, allowing Saviya Morgan to tag and score. Mealer followed with a two-out RBI single to push the lead to 4-0.
Ohio State (44-13-1) rallied with two outs in the sixth, scoring a pair of runs on three hits and an error. But Pickens shut the door in the seventh, striking out two and inducing a flyout to strand a runner in scoring position.
CHECK THE STATS Tennessee held Ohio State – the nation’s top home run-hitting team – without a long ball on Saturday. It is the first time OSU has not hit a home run since April 26.
The Lady Vols are now 93-48 all-time in the NCAA Tournament and 56-18 in regional play.
DUE UP Tennessee will play again on Sunday at noon ET against the winner of Game 5 of the Knoxville Regional.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – No. 12/17 Tennessee fell to No. 5/8 Arkansas, 8-6, in a back-and-forth battle on Friday night at sold-out Baum-Walker Stadium to set up a rubber game in Saturday afternoon’s regular-season finale.
The Volunteers (41-14, 16-13 SEC) finished with double-digit hits for the fifth straight game but also left 10 runners on base. That, along with a fifth-inning error, proved costly for the Big Orange.
UT had a pair of early leads, but an uncharacteristically tough day for starter Liam Doyle was too much to overcome against one of the country’s best lineups.
Doyle posted his seventh double-digit strikeout performance but gave up a season-high eight runs (six earned) on 11 hits in 4.2 innings to fall to 9-3 on the year.
Cannon Peebles plated the game’s first run with a two-out RBI single in the top of the second inning, but the Razorbacks responded immediately with three runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 3-1 lead.
Tennessee punched right back with three runs of its own in the top of the third, getting RBI hits from Dalton Bargo and Peebles, who finished with a game-high three RBIs on the night.
Arkansas (42-12, 19-10 SEC) took the lead right back with a two-run homer from Ryder Helfrick in the bottom of the third and extended its advantage with a solo shot from Logan Maxwell in the fourth inning.
The biggest blow, however, came in the fifth when the Hogs scored their final two runs of the game after a throwing error with two outs resulted in a run and extended the inning, allowing for another RBI single to give Arkansas a four-run lead.
Levi Clark went deep in the seventh to cut the deficit to two, but his two-run homer was the final runs UT would score on the night.
The Big Orange had the tying run on base in the eighth but grounded into an inning-ending double play to end the threat. Dean Curley, who had another multi-hit game, drew a one-out walk in the ninth to bring the tying run to the plate, but Razorbacks’ reliever Christian Foutch struck out Reese Chapman and got Clark to fly out to center field to slam the door and earn his fourth save.
The Vols’ bullpen held the Hogs scoreless over their final three innings of at-bats as Austin Breedlove, Brandon Arvidson and Tanner Franklin combined for 3.1 innings of scoreless baseball while allowing just two hits over that span.
Doyle Continues Chase for Strikeout Record
Despite his disappointing outing, Doyle moved into a tie for third on UT’s single-season strikeouts list after punching out 10 Razorbacks on Friday night. His 137 strikeouts on the year have matched Vols’ legend R.A. Dickey’s total from 1996. Doyle is just 17 strikeouts shy of Luke Hochevar’s single-season program record of 154 in 2005.
Another Productive Night for Fisch
Junior first baseman Andrew Fischer continued his hot streak with a three-hit night, including a pair of doubles and a run scored. The New Jersey native has now reached base safely in all 55 games this season.
Up Next
Tennessee will play its seventh straight rubber game when it faces off against Arkansas in Saturday’s series finale, which will begin at 3 p.m. ET on the SEC Network.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – A third-inning offensive outburst powered No. 7 Tennessee to a dominant 17-0 run-rule victory over Miami (Ohio) on Friday at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in the opening round of the NCAA Knoxville Regional.
The Lady Vols (41-14) plated 11 runs in the third inning, recording their largest margin of victory and highest run total in NCAA Tournament history. The win marks Tennessee’s 18th run-rule victory of the season and ninth by double digits.
Senior McKenna Gibson ignited the scoring with a solo home run in the second inning—her 44th career blast, tying her with LVFL Madison Shipman for fifth-most in program history. Emma Clarke followed with an RBI double to give UT a 2-0 lead.
The third inning saw Tennessee bat around, highlighted by Clarke’s two-run double, a three-run homer from Gabby Leach, and a grand slam by Laura Mealer. The Lady Vols also added runs via a hit-by-pitch and a bases-loaded walk.
In the fourth, Saviya Morgan drove in a run with a single before Sophia Nugent launched a three-run shot.
IN THE CIRCLE Karlyn Pickens (21-8) earned the win, pitching three scoreless innings while striking out six and allowing just two hits and a walk. Sophomore Sage Mardjetko closed out the final two frames, surrendering one hit and one walk while fanning two.
CHECK THE STATS Gibson’s second-inning home run moved her into a tie for fifth on Tennessee’s all-time list.
Nugent notched her ninth double of the season, a career high.
Tennessee broke its previous NCAA Tournament scoring record of 12 runs, which it had achieved six times since 2014.
DUE UP Tennessee will take on Ohio State in the winner’s bracket game on Saturday. First pitch is slated for noon ET.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Children and young adults in Knox County can receive free dental care this summer through the Knox County Health Department.
Health department officials say several services will be offered in June and July at two locations, the KCHD West Clinic and Centro Hispano, to those ages 1 to 21.
The free dental services include education, screenings and exams.
“Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in childhood, yet it is largely a preventable disease,” Dental Hygienist with KCHD’s School-Based Dental Program, Sarah Naill said. “Attending free events like this is an easy step to ensure a healthy smile for children.”
The following dates will take place at KCHD’s West Clinic, located at 9000 Executive Park Drive, Suite A301B, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.:
Tuesday, June 3 – Friday, June 6
Monday, June 9 – Friday, June 13
Monday, June 16 – Wednesday, June 18
Monday, June 23 – Friday, June 27
Tuesday, July 1
The following dates will take place at Centro Hispano, located at 201 3rd Ave., from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.:
Monday, July 7 – Thursday, July 10
Monday, July 14 – Thursday, July 17
Interpreters will also be on hand to assist patients. To make an appointment, call 865-215-5131 or 865-215-5109 for Spanish-speaking assistance.
The Knox County Health Department is offering free dental services for ages 1 to 21 in June and July at two locations. (Courtesy: WVLT)
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee and Syracuse will begin the 2025 college football season in the Aflac Kickoff Game on Aug. 30 from Atlanta’s Marcedes-Benz Stadium at noon ET on ABC, the network announced Tuesday.
The 2025 Aflac Kickoff Game between the Orange and Volunteers is one of only three opening weekend matchups between two teams who made last season’s final College Football Playoff rankings.
“We’re expecting a sea of orange in Mercedes-Benz Stadium as we open up the 2025 season from the Capital of College Football,” said Gary Stokan, Peach Bowl, Inc. CEO and president. “It should be an exciting matchup between a CFP team from last year in Tennessee against an up-and-coming Syracuse program who finished the previous season ranked after defeating three top-25 teams.”
Tennessee is set to return to the Aflac Kickoff Game after winning its two previous trips in 2012 vs. NC State and a double-overtime thriller in 2017 vs. Georgia Tech.
This will mark only the fourth meeting between the two programs dating back to 1966. The Vols hold a 3-0 all-time record vs. the Orange, including a 33-9 win in their most recent meeting during the 2001 season. Notably, the two teams last played in a noon kickoff against each other to open Tennessee’s 1998 national championship season, a 34-33 UT victory.
Both teams will battle for The Old Leather Helmet Trophy, one of college football’s newest rivalry-style icons. Traditionally, winners of The Old Leather Helmet don the helmet on the field after the game, starting with the head coach and then rotating from player to player as the team celebrates its victory.
Tickets to the season-opener are on sale now at AllVols.com.
GATLINBURG, TN (WOKI) Great Smoky Mountains National Park will offer the first Cades Cove Vehicle-Free Day of the year on June 18. Vehicle-free days provide opportunities for pedestrians and cyclists to experience the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road without motor vehicles.
Vehicle-free days will continue every Wednesday through September 24.
Reminders for vehicle-free day:
Safety first: Always wear a helmet when cycling and adhere to the posted speed limit of 20 miles per hour. Wearing a helmet could save your life.
Park smart: Vehicle-free days are popular and parking is limited. Please park only in designated spots to keep roads safer and to protect roadside ecosystems. Don’t forget to grab your parking tag before heading out!
Timing is everything: Avoid the morning rush! Arriving in the afternoon could give you a much more relaxed experience. If there is no parking available, you will be asked to return later in the day.
Pack wisely: Due to the terrain of the Cades Cove Loop Road, it often takes people longer than they expect to bike or hike the road. Bring essentials like food, water and a first aid kit to be prepared. Remember, there is no cell service here, so plan accordingly!
Know the rules: Only non-motorized bicycles, as well as Class 1 and Class 2 E-bikes, are permitted (Class 3 E-bikes are prohibited). All other motorized and non-motorized vehicles, such as scooters, skateboards and hoverboards, are not allowed.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – The City of Knoxville has announced free live music will soon return to downtown Knoxville.
Concerts on the Square will be held on Tuesdays in May, June and September, and on Third Thursdays from May through September, all from 7-9 p.m.
The festivities kick off on May 6 with the first Jazz Tuesday, which will feature Margherita Fava and the Knoxville Jazz Workshop. Third Thursdays will begin May 15 with the WIMZ Garage Band and feature a variety of musical styles each month.
Below are just some of the performers slated to be in Market Square throughout the summer into the fall:
Jazz Tuesdays
May 6: Margherita Fava and the Knoxville Jazz Workshop
May 13: Greg Tardy Quintet with Karns High School Jazz Band at 5:30 p.m.
May 20: Denin Slage-Koch
May 27: Mimi Terry Quartet
June 3: Donald Brown & Friends
June 10: Vance Thompson Quartet
June 17: Taber Gable
June 24: Ken Brown Quartet
Third Thursdays
May 15: WIMZ Garage Band
June 19: Brian Clay’s GRUUV Xperiencein collaboration with Beck Cultural Exchange Center for Juneteenth
July 17: Teen Spirit
Aug. 21: 7 Bridges: The Ultimate EAGLES Experience
Sept. 18: Square on the Square
City officials said attendees should bring their own chairs for first-come, first-served seating. While no food or beer will be sold on Market Square, food will be available from restaurants for take-out. However, alcohol can only be consumed inside establishments or on their patios.
MARYVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – The Blount County District Attorney behind the sentencing of a former gym teacher accused of inappropriately touching students released a statement explaining the laws as they currently stand and his reasoning behind the charges.
Joseph Dalton is a former gym teacher who was recently sentenced for several charges of assault against elementary school students.
Dalton worked for several elementary schools in Blount County and faced multiple complaints from parents and students who said he assaulted them physically.
The former teacher was sentenced Wednesday to six months of supervised probation after pleading guilty to assault in September.
49-year-old Joseph Dalton(BCSO)
There has been an outcry in the Blount County community, and Fifth Judicial District Attorney General Ryan Desmond, who was over Dalton’s prosecution, released a statement explaining how the case developed, the laws currently in place and his reasoning behind the charges.
Desmond said he became aware of an incident involving a young student in early 2023, and after an extensive review of surveillance video from every class Dalton had participated in, investigators found “multiple concerning incidents where the teacher had physical contact with students which we deemed to be inappropriate.”
Currently, Desmond said Tennessee’s criminal laws on sexual battery require contact with the “intimate parts” of a victim. However, none of the videos or accusations showed that Dalton had touched any of the students in that way, meaning that while his actions were concerning and inappropriate, it did not qualify as sexual battery or any other sexual offense under state law.
The DA said his office was then faced with the question of closing the case and investigation because the conduct did not amount to sexual battery, but he said closing it was “unacceptable.”
After researching the law, Desmond said the only criminal offense that fit the facts and evidence was assault through the “offensive touching” of another, which is a Class B misdemeanor and carries a maximum punishment of six months.
Desmond said he found it to be worth it to prosecute the charges despite the sentence being minimal because “the alternative was to do nothing.” He said if more serious charges had been supported with evidence that they would have been pursued, but that was not the case.
Desmond added that he doesn’t disagree with people’s belief that the sentence is insufficient, saying he would support an effort to amend the law to address scenarios like this.
He said the law as it currently exists is “clearly insufficient,” but he made the decision that some action had to be taken and said he stands by that decision. Dalton was sentenced to the maximum punishment of six months of supervised probation.
Desmond is not the only official to speak out about the case. Blount County Mayor Ed Mitchell called out the school district’s administration and said the current laws need to be changed.
State records obtained by WVLT News show Dalton still has a valid teaching license even after being sentenced on the charges.
Below is Desmond’s full statement on the case:
I have always believed in honesty and transparency. So while I understand that it may be difficult for some to accept, it is my sincere hope that being straightforward and open will help most understand what has transpired. The mission of the District Attorney’s Office is to seek justice, protect the community, and, in all instances, try to do the right thing.
In the later parts of 2023, I became aware of an incident where a young student at one of our local schools felt like one of their teachers was acting in an inappropriate manner. These allegations were the first time I had ever heard of this teacher.
Shortly thereafter, individuals came to me to express concerns that the teacher in question had been the subject of similar allegations numerous times in the past. I directed my criminal investigator to pull all available surveillance video from every class the teacher had participated in for the entire school year to that point. After careful review, we located multiple concerning incidents where the teacher had physical contact with students which we deemed to be inappropriate. We notified the parents of the students involved and continued the investigatory process of collecting statements and any possible related evidence.
It is important to note at this point, that the Tennessee criminal laws on sexual battery require contact with the “intimate parts” of a victim. None of the videos or subsequent evidence for these allegations showed that the teacher in question had touched the “intimate parts” of any of the students involved. While the teacher’s conduct was concerning and inappropriate, it did not qualify as sexual battery or any other sexual offense under current Tennessee law.
We then faced a question, if the conduct did not amount to sexual battery, should the case and investigation then be closed? I found this answer to be unacceptable.
Instead, we carefully researched the law and found the only criminal offense that fit the facts and evidence before us. That criminal offense was assault through the “offensive touching” of another. It was our conclusion that while the conduct did not meet the threshold of sexual battery, it was contact that was offensive to a reasonable person, and certainly to the parents of these children.
Assault by offensive touching under Tennessee law is a Class B misdemeanor. The maximum punishment for a B misdemeanor is 6 months.
We were again faced with a choice. Was it worth it to prosecute charges knowing the sentence would be minimal? The alternative was to do nothing. I was elected to protect the citizens of our community, and the right choice was clear. Considering past efforts by the school system to curtail this teacher’s behavior had clearly not been effective, doing nothing was not an option I could accept.
I made the decision to charge this teacher with five counts of offensive touching assault. This decision was not made lightly. It was made knowing full well that many would think the charges and the sentence would be woefully insufficient. We can only do what the law allows, and the job of my office is to apply the facts and evidence to the law. If there were more serious charges which were supported by the evidence, they would have been pursued. That was not the case.
I understand people believe the sentence for these crimes is insufficient. I do not disagree. I would certainly support any effort by the legislature to amend the law to address scenarios wherein a person in a position of trust has inappropriate contact with children in their care.
The law for these crimes, as it currently exists, is clearly insufficient. Despite that inadequacy, when faced with this issue I ultimately made the decision that some action had to be taken. I stand by that decision.Fifth Judicial District Attorney General Ryan Desmond
MARYVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – The Blount County District Attorney behind the sentencing of a former gym teacher accused of inappropriately touching students released a statement explaining the laws as they currently stand and his reasoning behind the charges.
Joseph Dalton is a former gym teacher who was recently sentenced for several charges of assault against elementary school students.
Dalton worked for several elementary schools in Blount County and faced multiple complaints from parents and students who said he assaulted them physically.
The former teacher was sentenced Wednesday to six months of supervised probation after pleading guilty to assault in September.
49-year-old Joseph Dalton(BCSO)
There has been an outcry in the Blount County community, and Fifth Judicial District Attorney General Ryan Desmond, who was over Dalton’s prosecution, released a statement explaining how the case developed, the laws currently in place and his reasoning behind the charges.
Desmond said he became aware of an incident involving a young student in early 2023, and after an extensive review of surveillance video from every class Dalton had participated in, investigators found “multiple concerning incidents where the teacher had physical contact with students which we deemed to be inappropriate.”
Currently, Desmond said Tennessee’s criminal laws on sexual battery require contact with the “intimate parts” of a victim. However, none of the videos or accusations showed that Dalton had touched any of the students in that way, meaning that while his actions were concerning and inappropriate, it did not qualify as sexual battery or any other sexual offense under state law.
The DA said his office was then faced with the question of closing the case and investigation because the conduct did not amount to sexual battery, but he said closing it was “unacceptable.”
After researching the law, Desmond said the only criminal offense that fit the facts and evidence was assault through the “offensive touching” of another, which is a Class B misdemeanor and carries a maximum punishment of six months.
Desmond said he found it to be worth it to prosecute the charges despite the sentence being minimal because “the alternative was to do nothing.” He said if more serious charges had been supported with evidence that they would have been pursued, but that was not the case.
Desmond added that he doesn’t disagree with people’s belief that the sentence is insufficient, saying he would support an effort to amend the law to address scenarios like this.
He said the law as it currently exists is “clearly insufficient,” but he made the decision that some action had to be taken and said he stands by that decision. Dalton was sentenced to the maximum punishment of six months of supervised probation.
Desmond is not the only official to speak out about the case. Blount County Mayor Ed Mitchell called out the school district’s administration and said the current laws need to be changed.
State records obtained by WVLT News show Dalton still has a valid teaching license even after being sentenced on the charges.
Below is Desmond’s full statement on the case:
I have always believed in honesty and transparency. So while I understand that it may be difficult for some to accept, it is my sincere hope that being straightforward and open will help most understand what has transpired. The mission of the District Attorney’s Office is to seek justice, protect the community, and, in all instances, try to do the right thing.
In the later parts of 2023, I became aware of an incident where a young student at one of our local schools felt like one of their teachers was acting in an inappropriate manner. These allegations were the first time I had ever heard of this teacher.
Shortly thereafter, individuals came to me to express concerns that the teacher in question had been the subject of similar allegations numerous times in the past. I directed my criminal investigator to pull all available surveillance video from every class the teacher had participated in for the entire school year to that point. After careful review, we located multiple concerning incidents where the teacher had physical contact with students which we deemed to be inappropriate. We notified the parents of the students involved and continued the investigatory process of collecting statements and any possible related evidence.
It is important to note at this point, that the Tennessee criminal laws on sexual battery require contact with the “intimate parts” of a victim. None of the videos or subsequent evidence for these allegations showed that the teacher in question had touched the “intimate parts” of any of the students involved. While the teacher’s conduct was concerning and inappropriate, it did not qualify as sexual battery or any other sexual offense under current Tennessee law.
We then faced a question, if the conduct did not amount to sexual battery, should the case and investigation then be closed? I found this answer to be unacceptable.
Instead, we carefully researched the law and found the only criminal offense that fit the facts and evidence before us. That criminal offense was assault through the “offensive touching” of another. It was our conclusion that while the conduct did not meet the threshold of sexual battery, it was contact that was offensive to a reasonable person, and certainly to the parents of these children.
Assault by offensive touching under Tennessee law is a Class B misdemeanor. The maximum punishment for a B misdemeanor is 6 months.
We were again faced with a choice. Was it worth it to prosecute charges knowing the sentence would be minimal? The alternative was to do nothing. I was elected to protect the citizens of our community, and the right choice was clear. Considering past efforts by the school system to curtail this teacher’s behavior had clearly not been effective, doing nothing was not an option I could accept.
I made the decision to charge this teacher with five counts of offensive touching assault. This decision was not made lightly. It was made knowing full well that many would think the charges and the sentence would be woefully insufficient. We can only do what the law allows, and the job of my office is to apply the facts and evidence to the law. If there were more serious charges which were supported by the evidence, they would have been pursued. That was not the case.
I understand people believe the sentence for these crimes is insufficient. I do not disagree. I would certainly support any effort by the legislature to amend the law to address scenarios wherein a person in a position of trust has inappropriate contact with children in their care.
The law for these crimes, as it currently exists, is clearly insufficient. Despite that inadequacy, when faced with this issue I ultimately made the decision that some action had to be taken. I stand by that decision.Fifth Judicial District Attorney General Ryan Desmond
