East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers asking for help to find a missing Knoxville teen.
15 year-old Tashawn Lambert was last seen by his Dad on May 23rd who believes his son could be staying with a friend on Alliance Drive.
He attended Gresham Middle School. If you have any information, you are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee baseball team is headed back to the Palmetto State to begin its tournament run at the NCAA Clemson Regional, hosted by the Clemson Tigers at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
The Volunteers are making their fourth straight NCAA Regional appearance and 13th trip to NCAA Tournament in program history.
UT will be the No. 2 seed in the regional and face off against No. 3 seed Charlotte in its opening game on Friday, June 2 at 6 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
The top seed in the regional and No. 4 national seed Clemson will take on No. 4 seed Lipscomb in their opening game on Friday at 1 p.m.
The Clemson Regional will feature some of the nation’s hottest teams, including three conference champions. Tennessee is 15-5 over its last 20 games, including an 11-4 record over its final five SEC series after a 5-10 start to league play.
Clemson had arguably the best finish to the season of any team in the country, winning 21 of its last 22 games, including 16 straight entering the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers went 4-0 to claim the ACC Tournament crown after finishing second in the regular-season standings behind No. 1 overall seed Wake Forest.
Charlotte was victorious in 10 of its final 11 games, including five wins in a row over a four-day span to capture the Conference USA Tournament title last weekend. Lipscomb went 17-5 down the stretch to capture both the Atlantic Sun regular season and tournament titles, as well.
All-session and single-session tickets for the Clemson Regional will go on sale Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. To purchase tickets, click HERE.
The complete weekend schedule and broadcast details will be added to this release on UTSports.com when they become available.
Friday, June 2
Game 1 – Clemson vs. Lipscomb |1 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Game 2 – Tennessee vs. Charlotte | 6 p.m. ET (ESPNU)
Saturday, June 3
Game 3 – Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2 | TBD
Game 4 – Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 | TBD
Sunday, June 4
Game 5 – Winner of Game 3 vs. Loser of Game 4 | TBD
Game 6 – Winner of Game 5 vs. Winner of Game 4 | TBD
Monday, June 5
Game 7 (if necessary) – Winner of Game 6 vs. Loser of Game 6 | TBD
-UT Athletics
ANAHEIM, Calif. – VFL Ben Joyce of the 2022 Tennessee baseball team earned his big-league call-up on Sunday, having his contract selected by the Los Angeles Angels.
Joyce becomes the first player from the 2022 draft class to be called up to the Major Leagues. The 2022 class was a historic one for the Volunteers, as a program-record 10 individuals were selected across the three days of selections. Joyce was immediately assigned to Double-A Rocket City and played in 27 games with the Trash Pandas before his promotion, posting five saves and five holds while striking out 44 batters in 28.2 innings.
He becomes the 45th player in program history to make it to the big leagues and joins Garrett Crochet, Yan Gomes and Nick Senzel as current major-leaguers who played at Tennessee.
Joyce and the Angels face the Miami Marlins at 4:07 p.m. ET on Sunday at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.
-UT Athletics
Box Score | Tennessee Quote Package | Tennessee Press Conference
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Electric pitching and a late-inning offensive explosion led No. 4 Tennessee to a 9-0 win over No. 13-seeded Texas Saturday at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium, earning the Lady Vols a trip to the Women’s College World Series for the first time in eight years.
UT’s trip to Oklahoma City for the WCWS marks the eighth time in program history and the first since 2015. The victory also gives Tennessee 49 wins on the season – the most since winning 52 games in 2013.
Tennessee held a one-run lead through five before tacking on a pair of runs in the sixth. The Lady Vols blew the game open and seized complete control of the contest with six runs in the seventh. UT’s nine-run output ties the most-ever runs scored in a super regional game in program history.
Kiki Milloy opened the game with a leadoff double – advancing to third on an error – and was brought home by Zaida Puni who reached on a fielder’s choice.
In the circle, Payton Gottshall got the start for the Lady Vols and carried a perfect game into the fifth inning before she allowed a free baserunner on a six-pitch walk. The righty surrendered just two hits on the night – giving up a single in the sixth and seventh.
The senior fanned five batters in the win and improved to 16-1 on the year.
Tennessee added to its one-run lead in the sixth, as Live Oak, Texas, native Destiny Rodriguez laced a single to right to plate Giulia Koutsoyanopulos and Rylie West. Rodriguez started both games of the super regional versus Texas, going 4-for-7 at the plate over the two games.
The Lady Vols scored six runs in the seventh on five hits and two Longhorn errors. Freshman Jamison Brockenbrough continued her hot streak with an RBI single for the first run in the frame. With the bases loaded, Koutsoyanopulos pushed a single into right field that was misplayed and rolled all the way to the wall.
All three runners on base scored as Koutsoyanopulos charged around the diamond and slid in safely at home. Tennessee scored its final run of the game after a pair of singles and a fielder’s choice brought Puni to the plate. She yanked a hot shot right at the third baseman who could not field it cleanly, allowing the Lady Vols’ ninth and final run of the game to score.
In all, UT collected 10 hits against Texas who also committed five errors in the game. Citlaly Gutierrez got the ball to start the game for the Longhorns, going 5.2 innings and allowing three runs on four hits. Sophia Simpson came on in relief and recorded two outs but surrendered three runs on two hits.
Mac Morgan – Friday night’s starter – followed Simpson and also notched just a pair of outs. She gave up three runs on four hits.
Gutierrez suffered the loss and ends the season 13-6.
NOTABLE
Wrangling Cattle: Tennessee and Texas are now tied 5-5 in the all-time series with UT holding a 4-1 advantage at home on Rocky Top. In the postseason, the Lady Vols are 3-0 versus the Longhorns.
Record Attendance: A record 2,472 fans filled Sherri Parker Lee Stadium on Saturday to watch as the Lady Vols advanced to the Women’s College World Series for the first time in eight seasons. The total surpassed the previous mark of 2,459.
Ticketing Note: The Tennessee Athletics Ticket Office will have no tickets for sale to the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City. Please visit NCAA.com/tickets for ticket information.
UP NEXT
Tennessee will play in the Women’s College World Series for the first time since 2015, facing the winner of the Tuscaloosa Super Regional – Northwestern or Alabama – in its first game in Oklahoma City.
-UT Athletics
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – With a trip to the 2023 Women’s College World Series on the line, the fourth-seeded Lady Vols welcome No. 13 seed Texas to Sherri Parker Lee Stadium for the NCAA Knoxville Super Regional.
Tennessee is looking to punch its ticket to Oklahoma City for the eighth time in program history and for the first time since 2015.
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Fans are encouraged to visit the Tennessee softball gameday information page before making their way to Sherri Parker Lee to familiarize themselves with gameday policies and procedures.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
The two-team super regional will take place Friday to Sunday as a best-of-three series, with the winner advancing to the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City.
Friday, May 26
SPL gates open at 2:30 p.m.
4:00 p.m. – Game 1 (Texas vs. Tennessee)
Saturday, May 27
SPL gates open at 1:30 p.m.
3:00 p.m. – Game 2 (Tennessee vs. Texas)
Sunday, May 28 (if necessary)
SPL gates open 90 minutes prior to first pitch
TBD – Game 3 (Texas vs. Tennessee)
PARKING
Sherri Parker Lee Stadium
2323 Stephenson Dr.
Knoxville, TN 37996
Parking is available for free in lots S14 and C25 adjacent to Sherri Parker Lee Stadium and Regal Soccer Stadium. Reserved bus parking is only available by pre-arrangement from the Event Management office by calling (865) 974-1205. There is no public RV or bus parking in Lee Stadium lots.
All fans looking to attend the softball regional should be prepared for traffic congestion. Fans are reminded that parking shuttles will be free and available at the Agriculture Campus all weekend. When Stephenson Drive lots are full, fans will be directed to the free Ag Campus Parking and Shuttles on River Drive.
Shuttle information:
Friday, May 19: Beginning at 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 20: Beginning at 11:00 a.m. (Gates will open at 11:30 a.m.)
Sunday, May 21: Beginning at 12:00 p.m. (Gates will open at 12:30 p.m.)
BACK TO SUPERS
UT is back in the Super Regionals for the first time since 2019 and is hosting supers for the first time since 2017. It is the 12th time in program history the Lady Vols have advanced to Super Regionals. Tennessee owns an 83-44 record in the postseason showcase and is in the NCAA Tournament for the 20th time.
SCOUTING TEXAS
Texas (45-13-1)
Head Coach: Mike White (Record at Texas: 205-69-2)
Series Record: Texas leads 5-3
Key Player/Stat: Entering this weekend’s NCAA Knoxville Super Regional, Texas’ top three RBI leaders are true freshmen: Viviana Martinez (52), Reese Atwood (43) and Leighann Goode (41). The Longhorns are the only Division I softball team in this year’s NCAA Super Regionals to have its top three RBI leaders to be true freshmen.
-UT Athletics
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Former two-time American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year and top-six Heisman Trophy finisher McKenzie Milton, who shined at quarterback under head coach Josh Heupel, has joined Tennessee’s football staff as an offensive analyst.
Milton, a native of Mililani, Hawaii, launches his coaching career after an inspirational journey as a player in lifting UCF to the pinnacle of college football. He led the Knights to 27-6 record as a starter—including an undefeated 2017 season—to go along with two AAC championships, two New Year’s Six Bowl appearances and multiple top-10 Heisman Trophy finishes.
“McKenzie represents everything that is great about college football,” Heupel said. “His perseverance, determination and leadership are attributes that made him successful as a player and will no doubt translate to him being an outstanding future coach. He’s always been a student of the game and understands the why behind what we do. We are thrilled to welcome McKenzie, Jany and Madden to Rocky Top.”
“I couldn’t be more excited about starting my coaching career at Tennessee and reuniting with Coach Heupel,” Milton said. “I am grateful to Coach Heupel and Director of Athletics Danny White for giving me this opportunity. Their leadership makes a difference. I look forward to helping the program in any way I can.”
In three seasons on the field for UCF from 2016-18, Milton threw for 8,683 yards and 72 touchdowns—both of which ranked fourth in school career annals. His 9,761 yards of total offense ranks third in UCF history, while his passer efficiency rating of 152.3 is also third in school record books. Milton was responsible for 92 touchdowns and owned a 61.8 completion percentage.
After a freshman season of 2016 in which he started 10 games, Milton took his game to another level in guiding the Knights to a 13-0 record in 2017 and a victory over Auburn in the Peach Bowl. He was tabbed as the game’s most valuable player. Milton finished eighth in voting for the Heisman Trophy, and he was a finalist for the Manning Award. He broke single-season program records for passing yards (4,037), passing touchdowns (37), passing efficiency (179.29) and passing yards per attempt (10.2).
The 2018 season saw his game elevate even more in Heupel’s first campaign with the Knights as he finished sixth in the voting for the Heisman Trophy. UCF completed an undefeated 11-0 regular season, and Milton was once again the catalyst throwing for 2,663 yards and 25 touchdowns. On Nov. 23, 2018, Milton’s playing career was in jeopardy as he suffered a devastating knee injury that required reconstructive surgery.
Undeterred by the major injury, Milton still became the first two-time AAC Offensive Player of the Year. After multiple surgeries, Milton sat out the 2019 season but was cleared to resume football activity in 2020 through his hard work and determination. He spent the 2020 season with the Knights before enrolling at Florida State as a graduate transfer in 2021.
On Sept. 5, 2021—1,018 days since the devastating injury—Milton made his triumphant return to the field in primetime, helping the Seminoles rally from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to force overtime against Notre Dame. He played in six games with four starts that season for Florida State, completing 81-of-139 passes for 775 yards and three touchdowns.
His inspirational journey was recognized as he earned the 2021 Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year and the ACC Piccolo Award. He also was a nominee for the Orange Bowl FWAA Courage Award.
Milton, the 2014 Hawaii Gatorade Player of the Year, earned his undergraduate degree from UCF in sport and exercise science in December 2019 before completing a master’s degree in educational leadership in May 2022.
He and his wife, Jany, have an 11-month-old son, Madden.
-UT Athletics
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – With kickoff of one of the most anticipated seasons in program history 100 days away, Tennessee Athletics has exhausted its football season ticket inventory with 70,500 purchased.
The sellout figure emphatically eclipses the department’s strategic plan goal of 61,000 by 9,500. The approaching 127th campaign of Volunteer football also saw a 96 percent season ticket renewal rate. In addition, Tennessee has sold over 9,000 new season tickets for 2023.
It marks the second time in the past 22 seasons that UT has sold out of its football season ticket inventory, last doing so in August 2016. The feat of selling out a 100,000-plus seat venue comes in an era of stadium downsizing across the country, further illustrating the passion of Vol Nation.
Rise Glorious, Tennessee Athletics’ comprehensive strategic plan, unveiled ambitious season-ticket benchmarks through the 2026-27 athletic year. Last season, the department surpassed its goal of 56,000 with 61,490 season tickets sold. The plan also called for selling 70,000 season tickets for the 2026-27 athletic year.
“Vol Nation continues to show the entire nation why they are the best fan base in college sports,” said Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White. “To be sold out of season tickets for the 2023 season is a testament to their unbridled passion and support of Tennessee Football. We can’t wait to see all our loyal fans on Rocky Top this fall!”
White has spearheaded the strategic vision of the Neyland Stadium renovation project and numerous fan experience enhancements since his arrival. Fueled by gifts to the My All Campaign, progress on upgrades to the historic venue continue.
Head coach Josh Heupel, the 2022 Associated Press SEC Coach of the Year, enters his third season at the helm of the program. Heupel has produced an 18-8 record, seven victories over Top 25 teams, the Vols’ first New Year’s Six berth in the College Football Playoff era and a No. 6 final ranking in 2022.
Tennessee’s 2023 home slate includes marquee games against South Carolina (Sept. 30), Texas A&M (Oct. 14) and Georgia (Nov. 18). The Vols open their season against Virginia in Nashville on Sept. 2 before returning to the friendly confines of Neyland Stadium for the home opener vs. Austin Peay on Sept. 9.
Tickets for the Sept. 2 season opener in Nashville are on sale now through the Nashville Sports Council and Nissan Stadium via Ticketmaster.com.
Fans interested in joining the season ticket waiting list can fill out the season ticket interest form at UTsports.com/seasontickets.
-UT Athletics
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Tennessee baseball’s Andrew Lindsey was named a Dick Howser Trophy Player of the Week on Tuesday afternoon by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association following his tremendous outing in the series opener at South Carolina.
Lindsey, who shared the Co-Pitcher of the Week accolade with Southern Miss’s Tanner Hall, was also named SEC Pitcher of the Week on Monday. The two honors mark the first of his career.
The junior from New Johnsonville, Tennessee was terrific against the Gamecocks, firing a career-high 8.1 innings while allowing just three hits and no walks in a shutout, 5-0, victory. To cap off his excellent start, the right-hander set down the final 17 batters he faced.
Lindsey reeled in his third quality start of the year and improved to 2-2 on the season. His performance led the way for the Vols’ eighth shutout of the season, the third-best total in the country as of May 23.
With the honor, Lindsey becomes the 16th different Volunteer to earn National Player or Pitcher of the Week honors. His recognition marks the 19th time a Vol has garnered acclaim overall, and he is the first to do so this season after the 2022 squad had four different honorees. It also marks the first time in program history the Vols have had a National Player or Pitcher of the Week in three consecutive seasons.
Lindsey and the Vols will await their postseason destination for the 2023 NCAA Tournament. The Selection Show will air on Monday, May 29 at noon ET on ESPN2. The 16 regional host sites will be revealed on Sunday, May 28 through social media (@NCAABaseball) and on the ESPN bottom line beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET.
-UT Athletics
Tennessee Athletics has earned its second straight SEC All-Sports title, presented by USA Today Network, as the Vols and Lady Vols finished first in both the men’s and women’s standings for the first time.
“I’m so proud of our student-athletes, coaches, staff and all the fans and donors who support us,” Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White said said White. “This is a team accomplishment, and everyone plays an important role. We are just getting started on Rocky Top, but this early success gives us the confidence to keep building!”
The rise to the top for Tennessee Athletics coincides with White taking over the department’s lead in 2021.
In addition to sweeping both SEC softball championships, Tennessee this year saw the following teams finish in the top four in their respective SEC races (regular-season standings or championship event): football (second East), men’s cross country (second), women’s swimming & diving (second), men’s tennis (second), men’s swimming & diving (third), women’s basketball (third), men’s golf (tied for third), soccer (third), women’s tennis (third) and men’s outdoor track & field (third).
In its first full academic year under White, Tennessee secured its first-ever SEC Overall All-Sports Trophy last May. Tennessee also finished first in the SEC Men’s All-Sports standings while earning a second-place finish in the SEC Women’s All-Sports standings a year ago.
This year, the second full academic year under White’s leadership, Tennessee became just the second SEC school to capture both the men’s and women’s titles in the same year.
2022-23 Men’s All-Sports Standings: 1. Tennessee 2. Florida 3. Alabama 4. Georgia 5. Texas A&M 6. Arkansas 7. Kentucky 8. LSU 9. Vanderbilt 10. Auburn 11. Mississippi State 12. Missouri 13. Ole Miss 14. South Carolina.
2022-23 Women’s All-Sports Standings: 1. Tennessee 2. Florida 3. Georgia 4. LSU 5. Alabama 6. Arkansas 7. South Carolina 8. Texas A&M 9. Auburn 10. Ole Miss 11. Kentucky 12. Vanderbilt 13. Mississippi State 14. Missouri.
-UT Athletics
Tennessee Athletics plans to host a “Big Orange Watch Party” at Regal Soccer Stadium adjacent to Sherri Parker Lee Stadium during this weekend’s NCAA Softball Super Regional games.
Regal Soccer Stadium’s field gate located near the Stephenson Drive RV parking area will open 90 minutes prior to each game of Tennessee’s best-of-three series against Texas. The Big Orange Watch Party is free for all fans and will feature a live big-screen game broadcast on the soccer videoboard, games for children, access to concessions and more. Chairs, coolers, glass bottles and glass containers are prohibited.
Fans attending the watch party will need to park in the FREE CF lot on the Ag campus at River Dr. Free fan shuttles from the Ag campus will begin 90 minutes prior to first pitch and will drop off near Joan Cronan Volleyball Center next to Regal.
Return shuttles will run until one hour after the conclusion of the game.
-UT Athletics
