KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Riding 16 strikeouts from its pitching staff and timely late hitting, the top-ranked Tennessee baseball team defeated Missouri, 8-3, in the series opener Friday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Tennessee (29-1, 10-0 SEC) collected its 10th consecutive victory to start SEC play, the longest conference win streak to open the year since Florida had 10 in 1994. The Volunteers also notched their 21st overall victory in a row, extending a program record.
Vols C Evan Russell / Credit: UT Athletics
It was an all hands on deck effort from the pitching staff as eight different Vols toed the rubber with no one throwing longer than 2.2 innings. UT’s pitchers punched out 16 Mizzou batters, led by Chase Burns (5), Will Mabrey (3), Ben Joyce (3) and Blade Tidwell (3). Mark McLaughlin tallied the win, his first this season and fourth of his career.
Seven Big Orange starters got a hit in the game and six drove in a run, highlighted by a 3-for-4 game from Christian Scott who started Tennessee’s rally in the seventh. Evan Russell provided the big blast, sending a three-run shot over the wall in left field for UT’s 73rd homer this season.
Missouri (18-9, 3-7 SEC) struck first, hitting a 2-run homer in the top of the first off the top of the scoreboard. Trevor Austin walked before Luke Mann’s big fly drove him in to put the Tigers up 2-0 early.
Tennessee’s offense got on the board in the home half of the fifth when Trey Lipscomb cranked his 12th home run of the season over the fence in left, a solo blast to cut the deficit to one run.
The Tigers added to their lead with three consecutive two-out hits in the top of the sixth, but the Vols quickly struck back in the bottom half as Luc Lipcius scored on an RBI groundout from Drew Gilbert after singling to jumpstart the UT offense.
Tennessee got a pair of runs in the seventh to take its first lead of the game. It all started when Scott legged out a hustle-double on a looper to left center. Jorel Ortega followed it up with a double laced down the left-field line, then Cortland Lawson collected the third hit in a row, an RBI single to left to score the go-ahead run. The Vols would not concede the 4-3 advantage after that, and added some insurance runs in the eighth inning, highlighted by a three-run shot from Russell that curled around the foul pole in left field.
NOTABLE
HAVE A DAY, C. SCOTT: Christian Scott’s three hits tied his career high. He last did it on Feb. 19, 2019 against Northern Kentucky, his first collegiate game.
DOUBLE-DIGIT HITS x18: For the 18th time this season, Tennessee finished with double-digit hits. It took until May 1 for the Vols to have 18 10-plus hit games in 2021.
SITTIN’ ‘EM DOWN: Tennessee finished the night with 16 strikeouts, it’s second-highest total in a game this season (18 vs. UNC Asheville). It was its most against an SEC opponent since striking out 16 batters against LSU on June 12, 2021 in the NCAA Super Regionals. It was also the most in a regular-season game against a conference foe since striking 17 vs. LSU in 11 innings on March 27, 2021.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — New Tennessee wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope met with members of the media on Thursday following the Volunteers’ ninth spring practice. In addition, quarterback Hendon Hooker, tight end Jacob Warren and wide receivers Jalin Hyatt and Ramel Keyton discussed their progress this spring.
Tennessee will hold a “Fast Friday” practice tomorrow before embarking on its second spring scrimmage at 1 p.m. Saturday. The scrimmage is closed to the public on site.
Vols WR Ramel Keyton / Credit: UT Athletics
However, Volunteer Village at Humanities Plaza will welcome fans and feature two big screens that will carry the scrimmage. In addition to live interviews with head coach Josh Heupel, VFLs and other guests on the screen, Volunteer Village will showcase food trucks, music and activities for all ages from noon-3 p.m. Saturday. Fans visiting Vol Village are encouraged to park in Lot G10. The Pride of the Southland Pep Band and Tennessee Spirit Team will perform at approximately 12:40 p.m.
On what the transition has been like moving up in roles…
“It’s been a really great transition. It’s been smooth. I’ve been really blessed to have a group that has already bought in to me and kind of what I’m about. Those guys knew what my expectations were coming in and they’ve done a good job of taking that, taking it head-on and pushing with it. So, the detail part, me trying to really push them and get to their core, they’ve responded really well. I’ve been super pleased as a position coach to have a group bought in to what I’m about, and they actually have taken that one themselves in their own roles. Preaching amongst their teammates and holding their teammates accountable. It’s been seamless, transition-wise, so far.”
On what the moment was like when he found out he was getting promoted…
“It was good. I feel like I still haven’t come down from it. We kind of have been 90 miles an hour since then. Honestly, the biggest thing I took from that was the kids and their reactions. That gave me a ton of joy knowing that those guys had that confidence in me and they were going to bat for me wanting me to be their guy. That was the most fulfilling part of it all. I still haven’t come down from it. If you talk to me in June once things slow down, I’ll probably have an answer.”
On if he still talks to Coach Kodi Burns…
“I do. I talk to him, one, because he’s a friend. He did a great job helping me be groomed last year. We talk, obviously, about football. We bounce some ideas off. A lot of my conversations with him are life conversations. Who we are at the core, is similar. I think we do a great job staying in touch and pouring into each other that way. I talk to him about once a week.”
On how he makes the wide receiver room his room…
“I think no matter where you are or who you’re around, you’re going to learn something from everybody. I think there is a duality in that, you always have to be yourself also. So, you do pull things that you learn, that you get from other people, but I still always have to be myself and do it in a mode where I’m still me, because the kids recognize that. If you’re not you, it’s kind of hard for them to respond to it. I do learn things and pull things from other people that I see that I like, but I’m always going to do it the way I would do it in my manner and my fashion.”
On how much he was thinking about being in the role that he is now…
“I think you always have to have the mentality that I’m the guy. Coach Heupel does a good job of putting systems in place where everybody is adding value, in recruiting, when we are teaching on the field, when we are building our players personally. You have to be able to add value. In order to do that, you have to take on the role like ‘Hey, I’m the receivers coach.” It’s no different than what we teach the players, next man up. As soon as I’m not preparing like I’m that guy, when that opportunity comes I’m not going to be ready. So, the entire time, I’m not knowing this is going to come, but I’m preparing that way. Now, I’m giving the kids the most that I can, I’m able to add value and help them in any realm that I am able too.”
On taking on more responsibility in recruiting…
“In recruiting it’s obviously a bigger adjustment because it’s SEC, it’s a bigger level than what I’m used to. Recruiting to me is based on relationships and is based on communication. Those two things happen to be two of my strong points. It has been great because again, Coach Heupel has systems in place. It’s kind of like the Heupel way where you’re in here, you’re going to recruit. You’re going to figure out how to get guys here. Figure out how to get guys and build relationships with them. Then it’s just being more intentional with the relationship piece and the communication piece.”
“Jalin Hyatt has done a great job of changing his body, for one. He’s about 180 right now. He is doing a great job of embracing physicality. I think he kind of saw himself in high school and at younger years as a speed guy. We talked, even before I got the role, about him embracing physicality and bringing that part of his game out. He’s done a great job of embracing that. I think mentally, off the field he’s taken a huge jump. He’s in the building 24 hours. A lot of times I’m leaving late at night and he’s either pulling off or about to walk out of the building as well. He’s done a great job of buying in and it’s consistent. Right? Regardless of what result he’s getting at practice week-to-week. Whether he’s having a great day or if he’s having an average day, he’s in the building, he’s staying consistent. I think he truly understands the process right now. I like where he is.”
On if Jalin Hyatt is a guy who can play multiple positions…
“Your guys that are able to do things that add value, you’ve got to find ways to put them everywhere. He obviously has played outside before in high school, he’s obviously played slot before with us. So, we’re going to do a good job of getting him in different spots. He’s picked that up well, he’s cross-trained well.”
On adjusting his daily schedule in transition to wide receivers coach…
“Again, I got blessed and really lucky because Coach Heupel had doing a great job of having systems in place so it was almost seamless. He’s got set times aside for us during the day that, this is allotted for recruiting. He’s got set times aside for us to get with players. He’s done a great job of having systems in place already and it’s been seamless. I’m just more intentional with our guys, because it’s a bigger group, I’ve got a bigger responsibility. Those systems have been super helpful.”
On coaches who have been mentors for him…
“Obviously, everybody on staff is great, leaning on Coach Golesh a lot, Coach Heupel a lot, Coach Elerbee and Coach Halze have been great. Their wives have been great. It’s crazy because the day I got it, I go home and I’m getting married next year to my fiancé. She’s talking about all the wives called her. They’re giving her contacts to realtors and I’m like ‘I didn’t know we were moving.’ It goes to show the culture here. Everybody is willing to give a hand, everybody wants to see you be successful. Again, I feel super lucky and super blessed to be around people like that in this position.”
On the young receivers…
“Those guys have been extremely awesome. We’ve created a culture where guys want to be in the building. Those four young guys, Cameron Miller, Chas Nimrod, Marquarius White and Kaleb Webb have been great. They’re always in the building, they always want to learn. The game is starting to slow down. We’re at that point in spring where slowing down is not moving as fast for them and you’re able to see those guys make plays and really who they are. They’ve embraced the culture and really come in here and done the work. You see that, and the older guys see it. They know the competition is real. If I’m not on my p’s and q’s, if I’m not paying attention to detail. We’ve got four young guys in here that are hungry. That just elevates the play in the room. Those young guys have been great, each one of them.”
On what he has learned from coaches that will help him in this new position…
“I can kind of be a drill sergeant. I’m usually screaming a lot. I think one thing that Coach Kodi Burns did well is that he had a great pulse of when to press the gas and when to pull off. A lot of times in a drill it’s been rapid and intense, and you don’t want to be too pushy. You still want guys to be able to hear you. So, the next drill, if we have something similar or a mistake you may see me grab guys and talk to them and be more intentional and intimate with them. I think having that ability to change paces and being able to feel the group is something important I’ve learned from him.”
“Cedric Tillman is a great athlete. He’s a big and strong kid, an uber competitor. His next thing is the detail and the fine detail of becoming a route runner. Before we got here, he didn’t play a bunch and he knows that. Really, coming into the offseason, it’s a lot of detail work at the top of routes and releases for him to become a complete receiver and truly be able to get open and separate against any coverage or leverage.”
“Both guys have been really bright, both guys have been bright spots. Both guys are playing outside. Jimmy Holiday was, of course, a special team’s guy, and he’s done a good job of embracing his role on offense. He’s showed up and made a lot of good plays. He’s a guy that played quarterback in high school, so he has the intellect piece and understands what’s going on. Right now, we’re seeing him play fast. Ramel Keyton, I think, is surprising me. The guys always say he’s the surprisingly ones of the better athletes in the room. He comes off the ball, and he’s got long strides, so you don’t know how fast he’s running. He can move. He’s also a big target and a big body. He does a great job down the field with his big catch radius for 50/50 balls. He does a good job of contesting catches. For both guys to be consistent, they have to preach the details and harp on the details. When we’re tired or not tired we need to be harping on those things to build consistency.”
“Absolutely. I think that’s why you recruit competitive kids. Coach Heupel preaches desperate, hungry guys. We want guys that are hungry. In the call of battle and when bullets are flying that’s what you want to get from a competitive guy. You’re not going to think about it, not bat an eye. They’re going to go try and compete their butts off, add value and go win the rep. I think each of those guys have a tenacious competitive spirit. That’s what we like about those guys. That’s why you recruit those type of guys.”
“Chas Nimrod is an outside guy. He’s got some freaky traits. He can really run and he does a great job of tracking the ball down the field. He’s still getting used to the physicality piece. It’s a different level than high school where he was at. He’s showed some flashes and at times he looks really good. He’s going to continue to come along, continue to work because of who he is. I’ve been really pleased with him. Squirrel can freaking run. He doesn’t bat an eye when things get chaotic. He is flying around and if someone is trying to be physical, he matches that intensity and physicality. He has the smallest statute but the biggest heart in the room. I love that kid. They both have been great additions.”
On his individual goals this spring and what he wanted to get better on this offseason …
“Really, the mental aspect of the game. Just trying to capitalize on every opportunity I can to get in there with the coaches and go over film, talk through different situations, and just approach the game from a mental standpoint. As a player-coach kind of thing on the field, being in total control of the offense and just being efficient.”
On manipulating the defense in games…
“That’s something that I have been trying to implement into my game from last year transitioning, to this year. So really just studying defenses and studying how they’re thinking and studying their responsibilities helps me in trying to manipulate them or moving them out of spaces, so I can hit guys running in windows or sitting in windows. It’s all just a learning process and getting reps in practice and experimenting here and there has definitely benefitted me.”
“Last year, he was a great support system when he went down and I came in and whenever he’s in, I’m the same way. We’re each other’s biggest fans and biggest critics, as well. Whenever I’m coming off the field or I can still be on the field, I can hear Joe in the back being like ‘Hendon move that safety’ or ‘work on your feet.’ It’s just little things that definitely keep us both motivated to get better and push each other to be the best we can be.”
On continuity with the system and how it has helped this spring…
“That’s the biggest thing. There is actually a lot of progress being made. We can see people developing and growing within the system, rather than, the issue we were having last year was just purely mental errors or missed assignments. Now, we can coach things like effort, you know, having your hat on the right side when you’re insert blocking. Having details in the routes rather than telling someone they ran the wrong route. That’s been huge for us to be able to just develop our game. I think you’ll be able to see it in the way we play.”
On his individual goals this spring and what he wants to work on this offseason…
“My individual goal this spring was to become more confident in my ability to do everything to be every down: run blocking, pass blocking, running routes, catching balls. I think me and Princeton Fant have both done a good job in the past, but we both understand that we are nowhere near where we want to be personally, for ourselves, and where the team needs us to be. So, I think just going into it everyday understanding that I’m trying to be the last piece of the puzzle to the offense and just helping it run as smoothly as possible, has been my goal. Also, continuing to grow as a leader. I feel like I have challenged myself a lot recently, in the past few months, of stepping up and I guess just being that guy that will call people out when they are wrong and having the confidence in myself and my abilities that I’m doing the right things, so that when people look at me, look at how I work, and how I show up every day, they will be inspired, and encouraged to follow me and do the same.”
On being the last piece of the puzzle for the offense…
“Obviously, we play on tempo all the time, right? The tight end, as you can see if you pay attention on film and on the TV, you can see we’re generally the last one getting set because we’re moving from … maybe we’ve been out in the slot on one play and now we’re coming back into the core. Maybe we need to change our alignment from the right side of the core to the left side of the core. So, understanding and having the confidence in our preparation is what I’m trying to say. We’re able to go out and be that – ‘You’re not waiting on me, I’m set, I’m ready to go, I know exactly where I need to be, I know exactly where my assignment is.’ Now we can truly play with that tempo. That’s what I mean by last piece of the puzzle. We’re really the deciding factor as to whether we can push the ball, whether we can protect, whether we can hit that seam on a run play, whatever it may be.”
On his consistency and amount of time spent in the facility this offseason…
“I had to look back last season on what I did wrong. That was the biggest thing I had to do. I had to meet with Coach Kelsey Pope and Coach Kodi Burns, when he was here, and just try to change everything that I did last season, because obviously it didn’t work. So, we got back to the planning board. I tried to stay consistent in coming in here 24/7, you know getting on jugs, film, just things like that to better myself and better this team.”
On internal competition amongst wide receivers, specifically the four freshmen…
“You know here it’s Tennessee. We’re going to get the best guys here, that’s just every year. Every time we’re out there its competition. You know, nobody has a spot, nobody’s comfortable. We’re all working to get better and I’m very proud of the freshman. Squirrel (Marquarius White), I try to stay hard on him because he reminds me of myself when I came in, you know. Weight wise and a lot of physicality things he still needs to work on, but he’s going to be a great player. He’s getting used to the offense, fast, quick, you know he’s going to be a very good player.”
On how last years’ experience has changed his spring…
“I wouldn’t say simple but we are focusing on details, like what we missed last year in the season. Even though it is kind of like we are doing the same thing, we are focusing on the details. Last year, the losses we had were because we messed up on the details, so we are focusing on them so that when the game happens next year, we won’t make those same mistakes. So, the second season is going to be better.”
On having coach Kelsey Pope working with receivers…
“I think coach Pope is a good coach. I feel like he develops us as a group, as men. Every single day in meetings, we go over a word of the day. It is nothing about football, it is about life personally. So, I feel like that aspect brings everyone in the room closer together and with the football part, he really makes us focus on the details because sometimes we don’t see it, but he can see it. He basically knows all of us in the room. He knows our strengths, our weaknesses and what we need to work on. So it helps a lot.”
On the transition with coach Pope and him being at UT last year…
“It is easy because we aren’t looking at it like ‘Okay, he is just trying to do this and that.’ He really wants us to win and really wants to see us succeed. No matter who you are. You can be a walk-on, starter, whatever it is. He still wants everyone to succeed. I think that is a good aspect of him.”
On his opportunities this season…
“I am very excited. I feel like there are some things I need to work on to actually elevate my game. I feel like once I work on those things, it will be showcased in a way that I would like to be imagined. But, I just want to do anything to help the team. If it is me stepping up to make plays, I can do that.”
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Top-ranked Tennessee is back in action at Lindsey Nelson Stadium as the Vols host divisional foe Missouri this weekend.
The Big Orange will look to continue their record-setting start to SEC play as they look to become just the second team in the history to start league play 10-0 since expansion in 1992.
UT Baseball / Credit: UT Athletics
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
For the most updated gameday information related to Tennessee baseball, please visit our Gameday Central page by clicking HERE. The baseball Gameday Central page contains info in regard to tickets, parking, stadium policies and more.
TICKET INFORMATION
Season and single-game tickets for all remaining home contests are SOLD OUT. Limited standing room only tickets will go on sale for all games 90 minutes prior to first pitch at the Lindsey Nelson Stadium ticket office.
Single-game tickets for all games can also be purchased through Vivid Seats, the exclusive resale marketplace for Tennessee Athletics, by clicking HERE.
In order to keep Lindsey Nelson Stadium as full as possible, we are encouraging season ticket holders who are unable to use their tickets for a game(s) to either transfer your tickets to someone else (Instructions HERE).
BROADCAST INFO
Friday and Sunday’s games will be streamed live digitally on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app while Saturday’s contest will be broadcast live on the SEC Network with Mike Morgan and Todd Walker on the call.
The online broadcasts can be accessed on any mobile device through WatchESPN. WatchESPN can be accessed through the ESPN App, or online at espn.com/watch.
Fans can also listen to the Voice of Tennessee Baseball John Wilkerson and Vince Ferrara call the game on the Vol Network (FM 99.1/AM 990) as well as UTSports.com and the Tennessee Athletics App.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE/PROJECTED STARTING PITCHERS
Game 1 – Friday, April 8 (6:30 p.m.) RHP Chase Burns (6-0, 1.15 ERA) vs. RHP Spencer Miles (2-2, 5.70 ERA)
Game 2 – Saturday, April 9 (7 p.m.) RHP Chase Dollander (5-0, 2.58 ERA) vs. LHP Tony Neubeck (2-1, 4.70 ERA)
Game 3 – Sunday, April 10 (12:30 p.m.) RHP Drew Beam (6-0, 0.88 ERA) vs. RHP Austin Marozas (1-0, 4.05 ERA)
SERIES HISTORY
Overall: Mizzou leads, 14-10 In Knoxville: Mizzou leads, 8-4 In Columbia: Series tied, 6-6 Neutral Sites: N/A Last Meeting: W, 10-2 (5/9/21 in Columbia)
The Vols recorded their first-ever series sweep over Mizzou last season in Columbia. UT will be aiming for its first series win against the Tigers in Knoxville since the first meeting between the two teams in 2013.
NOTABLE
Good As Gold Tennessee’s entire weekend pitching rotation (Chase Burns, Chase Dollander, Drew Beam) was named to the Golden Spikes Award Midseason Watch List by USA Baseball on Tuesday. The Vols were tied with Texas and Vanderbilt for the most players on the list with three each. The trio of Beam, Dollander and Burns have combined to go 17-0 with a 1.52 ERA this season.
Vols Off to Historic Start With last weekend’s sweep, Tennessee became the first team in 28 years to start SEC play 9-0, joining the 1994 Florida Gators who started 10-0. The Vols’ 28-1 record is the best through the first 29 games of a season in program history.
Vols Cleaning Crew Tennessee recorded its sixth series sweep this season after taking all three games on the road at then No. 3/9 Vanderbilt this past weekend. It was the first time that the Vols had swept the Commodores since 2009.
UT’s six series sweeps are its most in a single season since 2004 when it also had six. Since Vitello took over as head coach, the Vols have swept 18 weekend series (not including tournaments).
Series Sweeps by Year Under Vitello 2022: 6 | 2021: 5 | 2020: 2 | 2019: 3 | 2018: 2
Midseason Accolades The Vols were well-represented in D1Baseball.com’s Midseason Report, which was released on Thursday afternoon. Four members of the team were recognized by the publication.
Tony Vitello: Top Coach RHP Chase Burns: Top Pitcher & Top Freshman | Midseason All-America Team (SP) RHP Drew Bream: Midseason All-America Team (SP) OF Drew Gilbert: Midseason All-America Team (OF)
OPPONENT SCOUT
Missouri Tigers
Record: 18-8 (3-6 SEC)
2021 Postseason: N/A
2022 SEC Preseason Poll: 7th in East
Head Coach: Steve Bieser (6th year)
Preseason Conference Honors: N/A
Stat Leaders:
Batting Avg: Nander De Sedas (.373)
Runs: Josh Day (31)
Hits: Josh Day (35)
Home Runs: J. Day/L. Mann (6)
RBI: Torin Montgomery (22)
Stolen Bases: Ross Lovich (9)
Wins: Landry/Troesser (3)
Saves: Austin Cheeley (4)
ERA (min. 10 IP): Austin Troesser (1.93)
WHIP (min. 10 IP): Austin Troesser (0.99)
Innings Pitched: Spencer Miles (30.0)
Strikeouts: Nathan Landry (38)
GAME PROMOTIONS
Gameday promotions for all Tennessee athletics home events can be found on the UT Fan Experience page by clicking HERE.
Fans are encouraged to download the My All App for their phones and devices this season. The app is available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store and will allow fans to participate in in-game trivia, the custom filter selfie cam and more throughout the year.
NEW TO LINDSEY NELSON STADIUM
With a palpable excitement surrounding the program, Lindsey Nelson Stadium has added some new and improved seating areas and fan amenities to increase capacity and provide a better fan experience this season.
One of the first things fans will see upon arriving is an additional deck of porches behind the left-field wall as well as new chair-back bleacher seating down the left-field line.
All porches for the 2022 season are sold out, however, the left-field bleachers will be sold as general admission seating. Additional food and beverage options will be located next to the new bleachers throughout the year. For SEC games, a VolShop location and food trucks will be located in that area, as well.
UT has removed the playground down the right-field line and re-branded the area as “The Deck”, which will feature a standing room only area for UT’s students while also providing additional concessions options to help negate congestion throughout the main concourse. In order to enhance the gameday experience, a Petro’s Chili & Chips, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Gameday Sausage kiosk and a new beer kiosk have been added to the deck area.
Vol fans can look for Coca-Cola, popcorn and beer at kiosks on the Plaza located down the first-base line. The VolShop will have hats and merchandise available on the Plaza, as well. The Fan Experience Hub, your one-stop shop for game programs, posters, schedule cards, contest info and more, will also be located in the Plaza area.
Tennessee’s MVP season-ticket holders will also be greeted with a brand new, completely renovated MVP Room this season.
Friday SEC Block Parties Friday SEC Block Parties will take place for ticketed fans on Pat Head Summitt Street for every Friday SEC contest (weather permitting). The area will only be accessible for fans with tickets to Friday’s game.
Friday’s SEC Block Parties will feature music, giveaways, face painting, food/beverage options, VolShop sales locations and Vol Network sponsor activations. Additionally, VFL Sterl the Pearl will join various SEC weekend games to add to the electricity in Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Food, drink, and anything else acquired at the block party can be brought inside the stadium. Gates 10A and 11 will be open for fans to use to enter the stadium. Fans may come and go from stadium to the block party as they please.
ON DECK
Tennessee will play Tennessee Tech in a neutral-site game at Smokies Stadium in nearby Kodak, Tennessee next Tuesday 6:30 p.m. before hosting Alabama at Lindsey Nelson Stadium next weekend.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Top-ranked Tennessee is back in action at Lindsey Nelson Stadium as the Vols host divisional foe Missouri this weekend.
The Big Orange will look to continue their record-setting start to SEC play as they look to become just the second team in the history to start league play 10-0 since expansion in 1992.
UT Baseball / Credit: UT Athletics
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
For the most updated gameday information related to Tennessee baseball, please visit our Gameday Central page by clicking HERE. The baseball Gameday Central page contains info in regard to tickets, parking, stadium policies and more.
TICKET INFORMATION
Season and single-game tickets for all remaining home contests are SOLD OUT. Limited standing room only tickets will go on sale for all games 90 minutes prior to first pitch at the Lindsey Nelson Stadium ticket office.
Single-game tickets for all games can also be purchased through Vivid Seats, the exclusive resale marketplace for Tennessee Athletics, by clicking HERE.
In order to keep Lindsey Nelson Stadium as full as possible, we are encouraging season ticket holders who are unable to use their tickets for a game(s) to either transfer your tickets to someone else (Instructions HERE).
BROADCAST INFO
Friday and Sunday’s games will be streamed live digitally on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app while Saturday’s contest will be broadcast live on the SEC Network with Mike Morgan and Todd Walker on the call.
The online broadcasts can be accessed on any mobile device through WatchESPN. WatchESPN can be accessed through the ESPN App, or online at espn.com/watch.
Fans can also listen to the Voice of Tennessee Baseball John Wilkerson and Vince Ferrara call the game on the Vol Network (FM 99.1/AM 990) as well as UTSports.com and the Tennessee Athletics App.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE/PROJECTED STARTING PITCHERS
Game 1 – Friday, April 8 (6:30 p.m.) RHP Chase Burns (6-0, 1.15 ERA) vs. RHP Spencer Miles (2-2, 5.70 ERA)
Game 2 – Saturday, April 9 (7 p.m.) RHP Chase Dollander (5-0, 2.58 ERA) vs. LHP Tony Neubeck (2-1, 4.70 ERA)
Game 3 – Sunday, April 10 (12:30 p.m.) RHP Drew Beam (6-0, 0.88 ERA) vs. RHP Austin Marozas (1-0, 4.05 ERA)
SERIES HISTORY
Overall: Mizzou leads, 14-10 In Knoxville: Mizzou leads, 8-4 In Columbia: Series tied, 6-6 Neutral Sites: N/A Last Meeting: W, 10-2 (5/9/21 in Columbia)
The Vols recorded their first-ever series sweep over Mizzou last season in Columbia. UT will be aiming for its first series win against the Tigers in Knoxville since the first meeting between the two teams in 2013.
NOTABLE
Good As Gold Tennessee’s entire weekend pitching rotation (Chase Burns, Chase Dollander, Drew Beam) was named to the Golden Spikes Award Midseason Watch List by USA Baseball on Tuesday. The Vols were tied with Texas and Vanderbilt for the most players on the list with three each. The trio of Beam, Dollander and Burns have combined to go 17-0 with a 1.52 ERA this season.
Vols Off to Historic Start With last weekend’s sweep, Tennessee became the first team in 28 years to start SEC play 9-0, joining the 1994 Florida Gators who started 10-0. The Vols’ 28-1 record is the best through the first 29 games of a season in program history.
Vols Cleaning Crew Tennessee recorded its sixth series sweep this season after taking all three games on the road at then No. 3/9 Vanderbilt this past weekend. It was the first time that the Vols had swept the Commodores since 2009.
UT’s six series sweeps are its most in a single season since 2004 when it also had six. Since Vitello took over as head coach, the Vols have swept 18 weekend series (not including tournaments).
Series Sweeps by Year Under Vitello 2022: 6 | 2021: 5 | 2020: 2 | 2019: 3 | 2018: 2
Midseason Accolades The Vols were well-represented in D1Baseball.com’s Midseason Report, which was released on Thursday afternoon. Four members of the team were recognized by the publication.
Tony Vitello: Top Coach RHP Chase Burns: Top Pitcher & Top Freshman | Midseason All-America Team (SP) RHP Drew Bream: Midseason All-America Team (SP) OF Drew Gilbert: Midseason All-America Team (OF)
OPPONENT SCOUT
Missouri Tigers
Record: 18-8 (3-6 SEC)
2021 Postseason: N/A
2022 SEC Preseason Poll: 7th in East
Head Coach: Steve Bieser (6th year)
Preseason Conference Honors: N/A
Stat Leaders:
Batting Avg: Nander De Sedas (.373)
Runs: Josh Day (31)
Hits: Josh Day (35)
Home Runs: J. Day/L. Mann (6)
RBI: Torin Montgomery (22)
Stolen Bases: Ross Lovich (9)
Wins: Landry/Troesser (3)
Saves: Austin Cheeley (4)
ERA (min. 10 IP): Austin Troesser (1.93)
WHIP (min. 10 IP): Austin Troesser (0.99)
Innings Pitched: Spencer Miles (30.0)
Strikeouts: Nathan Landry (38)
GAME PROMOTIONS
Gameday promotions for all Tennessee athletics home events can be found on the UT Fan Experience page by clicking HERE.
Fans are encouraged to download the My All App for their phones and devices this season. The app is available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store and will allow fans to participate in in-game trivia, the custom filter selfie cam and more throughout the year.
NEW TO LINDSEY NELSON STADIUM
With a palpable excitement surrounding the program, Lindsey Nelson Stadium has added some new and improved seating areas and fan amenities to increase capacity and provide a better fan experience this season.
One of the first things fans will see upon arriving is an additional deck of porches behind the left-field wall as well as new chair-back bleacher seating down the left-field line.
All porches for the 2022 season are sold out, however, the left-field bleachers will be sold as general admission seating. Additional food and beverage options will be located next to the new bleachers throughout the year. For SEC games, a VolShop location and food trucks will be located in that area, as well.
UT has removed the playground down the right-field line and re-branded the area as “The Deck”, which will feature a standing room only area for UT’s students while also providing additional concessions options to help negate congestion throughout the main concourse. In order to enhance the gameday experience, a Petro’s Chili & Chips, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Gameday Sausage kiosk and a new beer kiosk have been added to the deck area.
Vol fans can look for Coca-Cola, popcorn and beer at kiosks on the Plaza located down the first-base line. The VolShop will have hats and merchandise available on the Plaza, as well. The Fan Experience Hub, your one-stop shop for game programs, posters, schedule cards, contest info and more, will also be located in the Plaza area.
Tennessee’s MVP season-ticket holders will also be greeted with a brand new, completely renovated MVP Room this season.
Friday SEC Block Parties Friday SEC Block Parties will take place for ticketed fans on Pat Head Summitt Street for every Friday SEC contest (weather permitting). The area will only be accessible for fans with tickets to Friday’s game.
Friday’s SEC Block Parties will feature music, giveaways, face painting, food/beverage options, VolShop sales locations and Vol Network sponsor activations. Additionally, VFL Sterl the Pearl will join various SEC weekend games to add to the electricity in Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Food, drink, and anything else acquired at the block party can be brought inside the stadium. Gates 10A and 11 will be open for fans to use to enter the stadium. Fans may come and go from stadium to the block party as they please.
ON DECK
Tennessee will play Tennessee Tech in a neutral-site game at Smokies Stadium in nearby Kodak, Tennessee next Tuesday 6:30 p.m. before hosting Alabama at Lindsey Nelson Stadium next weekend.
ATHENS, Ga. — Coming off back-to-back series wins in league play, the 11th-ranked Tennessee softball team travels to Athens, Georgia, this weekend to take on the No. 16/15 Bulldogs in a three-game series at Jack Turner Softball Stadium. Friday and Saturday’s games are set for 6 p.m. and 2 p.m., respectively, with Sunday’s series finale scheduled for a 1:30 p.m. first pitch.
The first two games of the weekend set will be broadcasted online via SEC Network+, available at ESPN.com/watch and the ESPN app. Sunday’s series finale will be nationally televised on ESPN2, with Eric Frede (play-by-play) and former Lady Vol All-American Madison Shipman (color analyst) on the call.
A live audio broadcast for all three games featuring voice of the Lady Vol softball team Brian Rice can be streamed at UTSports.com and heard locally in Knoxville on AM 990.
Kiki Milloy – Lady Vols / Credit: UT Athletics
SUNDAY SLUGFEST: Tennessee (25-10, 7-4 SEC) launched a season-high five home runs on its way to a series-clinching 10-1 victory vs. Mississippi State this past Sunday. The five homers were UT’s most since hitting five against Mississippi State on April 19, 2015 and finished one shy of the program record six HRs vs. Virginia Tech on May 17, 2014.
Freshman DP McKenna Gibson celebrated her 19th birthday with her first career grand slam in the bottom of the third inning, while Zaida Puni and Kelcy Leach each posted solo homers in the fifth. Super senior 1B Ashley Morgan had two bombs and ended the game with her second homer of the afternoon in the sixth, crushing a two-run shot to right-center to cement the run-rule victory.
FANTASTIC FRESHMAN: Lady Vol rookie Lair Beautae has adjusted to the college game tremendously. In 11 SEC games, she leads Tennessee in batting average (.389), runs (13) and hits (14). Her 13 runs scored in conference play lead the SEC, while her 14 hits rank fourth in the league.
MASHING IT: The Lady Vols have crushed 57 home runs through 35 games this season, and UT’s 1.63 HRs/game rank fourth in the SEC and 12th in the country. Tennessee has multiple homers in 16 games this season, already matching its total from last year, and UT is 14-2 on the year when hitting two-plus home runs.
ON-BASE MACHINE: Lady Vol junior Kiki Milloy has reached base in 28 consecutive games, a streak that began on Feb. 18 vs. Clemson. It is the third-longest active on-base streak in the country, trailing UNCG’s Delaney Cumbie (31) and San Diego State’s Mac Barbara (29).
HBP UNIT: The Lady Vols lead the SEC with 59 hit by pitch this season. Kiki Milloy and Ashley Morgan lead the squad and rank second in the league with 13 HBP apiece, while Ivy Davis sits eighth in the conference with nine. UT is the only team in the nation with three players sporting nine-plus HBP this season.
NOTING THE DAWGS: Georgia (31-7, 5-4 SEC) enters the weekend on a two-game losing skid, dropping the final two games of a road series at No. 4 Alabama. Under first-year head coach Tony Baldwin, the Bulldogs opened conference play with back-to-back series wins over South Carolina and Texas A&M.
Series Record: Tennessee leads 43-37
In Athens: Tennessee leads 19-17
Last Meeting: Georgia took game three of the last year’s series in Knoxville, winning 11-8 in nine innings. Ashley Morgan drove in four of UT’s runs with a pair of two-RBI doubles.
Key Stat: The Bulldogs returned all nine members of last season’s starting lineup, and the offense brought back a large portion of the 2021 squad’s production: 80 of 83 home runs, 95% of the run production and 149 extra-base hits.
UP NEXT: The Lady Vols make a trip to the Appalachian Mountains for a midweek non-conference matchup at Western Carolina on Wednesday, April 13. First pitch is set for 6 p.m., and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.
ATHENS, Ga. — Coming off back-to-back series wins in league play, the 11th-ranked Tennessee softball team travels to Athens, Georgia, this weekend to take on the No. 16/15 Bulldogs in a three-game series at Jack Turner Softball Stadium. Friday and Saturday’s games are set for 6 p.m. and 2 p.m., respectively, with Sunday’s series finale scheduled for a 1:30 p.m. first pitch.
The first two games of the weekend set will be broadcasted online via SEC Network+, available at ESPN.com/watch and the ESPN app. Sunday’s series finale will be nationally televised on ESPN2, with Eric Frede (play-by-play) and former Lady Vol All-American Madison Shipman (color analyst) on the call.
A live audio broadcast for all three games featuring voice of the Lady Vol softball team Brian Rice can be streamed at UTSports.com and heard locally in Knoxville on AM 990.
Kiki Milloy – Lady Vols / Credit: UT Athletics
SUNDAY SLUGFEST: Tennessee (25-10, 7-4 SEC) launched a season-high five home runs on its way to a series-clinching 10-1 victory vs. Mississippi State this past Sunday. The five homers were UT’s most since hitting five against Mississippi State on April 19, 2015 and finished one shy of the program record six HRs vs. Virginia Tech on May 17, 2014.
Freshman DP McKenna Gibson celebrated her 19th birthday with her first career grand slam in the bottom of the third inning, while Zaida Puni and Kelcy Leach each posted solo homers in the fifth. Super senior 1B Ashley Morgan had two bombs and ended the game with her second homer of the afternoon in the sixth, crushing a two-run shot to right-center to cement the run-rule victory.
FANTASTIC FRESHMAN: Lady Vol rookie Lair Beautae has adjusted to the college game tremendously. In 11 SEC games, she leads Tennessee in batting average (.389), runs (13) and hits (14). Her 13 runs scored in conference play lead the SEC, while her 14 hits rank fourth in the league.
MASHING IT: The Lady Vols have crushed 57 home runs through 35 games this season, and UT’s 1.63 HRs/game rank fourth in the SEC and 12th in the country. Tennessee has multiple homers in 16 games this season, already matching its total from last year, and UT is 14-2 on the year when hitting two-plus home runs.
ON-BASE MACHINE: Lady Vol junior Kiki Milloy has reached base in 28 consecutive games, a streak that began on Feb. 18 vs. Clemson. It is the third-longest active on-base streak in the country, trailing UNCG’s Delaney Cumbie (31) and San Diego State’s Mac Barbara (29).
HBP UNIT: The Lady Vols lead the SEC with 59 hit by pitch this season. Kiki Milloy and Ashley Morgan lead the squad and rank second in the league with 13 HBP apiece, while Ivy Davis sits eighth in the conference with nine. UT is the only team in the nation with three players sporting nine-plus HBP this season.
NOTING THE DAWGS: Georgia (31-7, 5-4 SEC) enters the weekend on a two-game losing skid, dropping the final two games of a road series at No. 4 Alabama. Under first-year head coach Tony Baldwin, the Bulldogs opened conference play with back-to-back series wins over South Carolina and Texas A&M.
Series Record: Tennessee leads 43-37
In Athens: Tennessee leads 19-17
Last Meeting: Georgia took game three of the last year’s series in Knoxville, winning 11-8 in nine innings. Ashley Morgan drove in four of UT’s runs with a pair of two-RBI doubles.
Key Stat: The Bulldogs returned all nine members of last season’s starting lineup, and the offense brought back a large portion of the 2021 squad’s production: 80 of 83 home runs, 95% of the run production and 149 extra-base hits.
UP NEXT: The Lady Vols make a trip to the Appalachian Mountains for a midweek non-conference matchup at Western Carolina on Wednesday, April 13. First pitch is set for 6 p.m., and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.
The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) on Thursday released the second set of national standings for the 2021-22 LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup.
With the Fall and first Winter scoring seasons now complete, Tennessee stands at No. 11 in the Directors’ Cup standings. Click HERE (PDF) to view the current standings.
Director’s Cup / Credit: UT Athletics
Thursday’s update represents a 25-place jump for Tennessee, which stood tied for 36th after the publication of the Fall standings. UT’s 381 points during the Winter scoring season were seventh-most in the country and second-most among SEC schools.
“It’s great to see our teams listed near the top of the standings—credit to our talented student-athletes and coaching staffs,” Tennessee Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White said. “We believe the Directors’ Cup is a valuable metric in measuring the overall health and success of an athletics program. When we’re scoring points across several sports, that means we’re performing well in the postseason and our student-athletes are achieving competitive success. We’ve got our entire athletic department working hard every day to build a championship culture that will bring Tennessee back to national prominence. This is a good step, but we obviously have a lot more work to do.”
Tennessee’s average finish in the last five completed Directors’ Cups was 33.2 (the cup was cancelled in 2019-20). Last year, Tennessee finished 26th in the Directors’ Cup year-end standings with 748 points for the entire academic year. This year, UT carries 547 points into the Spring scoring season.
As the Vols and Lady Vols compete to build on Tennessee’s point total this Spring, several sports appear well-positioned. Tennessee baseball owns a 28-1 (9-0 SEC) record and is the nation’s unanimous No. 1 team. Men’s tennis—the defending SEC Tournament champion—stands at No. 5 in the national polls and is returning to full strength after some key injury absences earlier this season.
Tennessee softball (No. 11) rowing (No. 17) and men’s golf (No. 18) also are each ranked in those respective top-25 polls. Men’s track & field finished third at last month’s NCAA Indoor Championships and hopes to ride that momentum into a strong outdoor season this Spring as well.
The SEC currently leads all Division I conferences with seven institutions in the top 25 – Kentucky (9th), Arkansas (10th), Tennessee (11th), Alabama (12th), Ole Miss (14th), Florida (21st) and LSU (24th).
The LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup was developed as a joint effort between NACDA and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution’s finish in NCAA Championships. The all-sport competition dates to the 1993-94 academic year.
Tennessee’s best-ever Directors’ Cup finish was seventh in 2006-07. UT owns 14-all-time top-20 finishes, with the most recent coming in 2009-10 (16th).
The second set of Winter standings will be released later this month, and final standings for the 2021-22 academic year will be released in early July.
As Tennessee seeks to build on its championship tradition across all sports, the ongoing My All Campaign is fueling the pursuit of enhanced championship resources to support student-athletes’ academic and competitive pursuits.
2021-22 Directors’ Cup – Tennessee Scoring
FALL – 166 points Soccer – 64 points Volleyball – 50 points Women’s Cross Country – 27 points Football – 25 points
Tennessee women’s basketball standout Rae Burrell has accepted an invitation to be in New York City on Monday for WNBA Draft 2022 presented by State Farm and will be among 12 prospects in attendance.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert will announce the picks live on ESPN with exclusive coverage beginning at 7 p.m. ET. The draft will also be available live on the ESPN App.
Rae Burrell – Lady Vols / Credit: UT Athletics
Top prospects will take part live as the WNBA Draft presented by State Farm returns to an in-person event for the first time since 2019, with the acclaimed Spring Studios, located in the Tribeca section of New York and the home to such iconic events as Fashion Week and The Tribeca Film Festival, serving as the venue for the evening’s events.
Expected to join Burrell in attendance are center Shakira Austin (Ole Miss), guard Kierstan Bell (Florida Gulf Coast), guard Veronica Burton (Northwestern), guard Nia Clouden (Michigan State), center Elissa Cunane (NC State), forward Emily Engstler (Louisville), guard Destanni Henderson (South Carolina), forward Naz Hillmon (Michigan), guard Rhyne Howard (Kentucky), forward Nyara Sabally (Oregon) and forward NaLyssa Smith (Baylor).
In preparation for the WNBA Draft 2022 presented by State Farm, ESPN2 will broadcast the first-ever WNBA Draft Preview Show on Saturday, April 9 (1:30 p.m. ET). LaChina Robinson will host the 30-minute special with analyst Rebecca Lobo. Together they will break down the top draft prospects, discuss team needs and whose stock is on the rise following the NCAA Tournament.
Burrell, who overcame an early-season injury to finish her career at Tennessee ranked No. 36 in all-time scoring with 1,131 points, is expected to become the 44th Lady Vol taken in all WNBA Drafts and the 42nd in drafts featuring only college players. She is slated to become the second UT player taken during the Kellie Harper era, following No. 9 overall pick Rennia Davis in 2021.
In mock drafts, Burrell is projected to be taken anywhere from No. 7 to No. 12 in the first round. If that is the case, she would become the 19th UT player taken in that round (17th in college-only drafts) and give the program first-round picks in back-to-back drafts for the first time since 2005 and 2006.
Burrell, a native of Las Vegas, was injured in the opener vs. Southern Illinois and missed the next 12 contests. She bounced back to play in 21 additional games, starting 12 of them including the last eight. She ended the season at 12.3 ppg. and 3.9 rpg., but she gained momentum heading down the stretch, tallying 16.6 ppg., 5.6 rpg. and 3.2 apg. over her last five contests, including the SEC and NCAA Tournaments.
After scoring a season-high 22 points and pulling down six rebounds vs. No. 4/4 Louisville in the NCAA Sweet 16. Burrell was named to the Wichita Region All-Tournament Team. Prior to her injury, she had been on preseason watch lists for the Wade Trophy, Wooden Award and Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy and projected as a preseason All-American and first-team All-SEC pick. Burrell was a second-team All-SEC pick in 2020-21 while averaging 16.8 ppg. and 4.6 rpg.
“Draft Central” on WNBA.com will enable fans to access multiple offerings in advance of and throughout the WNBA Draft 2022 presented by State Farm, including an interactive Draft Board, prospect profiles with insights powered by SAP, in-depth features on the top draft prospects and coverage of all draft events. Fans will also be able to access an array of content across @WNBA channels that will include the unique stories and personalities of the prospects via Instagram and TikTok, a Twitter Spaces Mock Draft Debate and cross platform live coverage including the “Orange Carpet.”
