KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A three-run homer by James Madison redshirt senior Kate Gordon made the difference as the No. 9-seeded Lady Vols fell 3-1 to the 22nd-ranked Dukes on Saturday at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium. Tennessee will gear up for an elimination game tonight against the winner between Eastern Kentucky and No. 25 Liberty, with first pitch scheduled for 35 minutes after the conclusion of that contest.
JMU ace Odicci Alexander pitched a complete-game effort to lead the Dukes (36-1) to their 26th consecutive victory. In seven innings pitched, she allowed one earned run on six hits with five strikeouts and three walks.
Ashley Rogers was dealt the loss with three unearned runs allowed. The Athens, Tennessee, native pitched six innings, collecting seven strikeouts and allowing no walks for the second-straight game in postseason play.
Six Lady Vols recorded one hit each on the afternoon, with senior first baseman Ashley Morgan driving in the lone run on an RBI single in the first inning.
Hitting as the visiting team in front of a home crowd, the Lady Vols (42-14) used back-to-back singles from a couple of All-SEC players to gain an early 1-0 lead in the top half of the opening frame. Sophomore outfielder Kiki Milloy knocked a hit through the middle, stole second and was sent home by Ashley Morgan’s RBI single to center field.
The Dukes capitalized on a pair of Tennessee miscues to score three runs in the bottom of the second. With two runners on by way of a fielding error and HBP, Gordon lifted a pitch to left center for a three-run shot off the scoreboard.
After giving up the home run, Rogers went on to retire the side in order three times in her final four innings in the circle. In the bottom of the fifth, the Lady Vol ace got out of a bases-loaded jam to keep the game in reach with a called strikeout.
UT had its opportunities over the final five innings, but ultimately left six runners on base during that stretch.
UP NEXT
Tennessee will play an elimination game against the winner between Eastern Kentucky and No. 25 Liberty for a spot in the Knoxville Regional final. First pitch for tonight’s matchup will fire 35 minutes after the conclusion of the contest between the Colonels and Flames.
COLUMBIA, S.C. – No. 4 Tennessee secured its first series victory in Columbia since 2006 with a 5-4 win over No. 15 South Carolina in Saturday’s rubber game at Founders Park.
The Vols led 5-1 entering the eighth but had to withstand a furious rally from the Gamecocks over the final two innings to hold on for the win, which secured a top-four seed in next week’s SEC Tournament.
The win was the 42nd of the season for Tennessee, marking its most regular-season victories since winning 43 in 1995.
Connor Pavolony’s three-run homer in the fourth inning proved to be the difference as the Vols held on for the win after South Carolina scored three runs in the eighth to cut its deficit to one.
Luc Lipcius capped off an impressive series with two hits, a walk and two runs scored while Evan Russell also finished with a pair of hits.
After allowing a home run in the first, Vols’ starter Blade Tidwell settled in and was fantastic over the next six innings before running into trouble in the eighth. The freshman right hander had six strikeouts and allowed four runs on six hits to earn the win and improve to 7-3 on the year.
Senior right hander Sean Hunley earned his second save of the series and seventh of the season with two shutout innings of relief. The Mount Juliet, Tennessee, native was able to get the Vols out of the eighth inning with the lead still intact and then struck out the final three batters of the game.
The Gamecocks jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first as leadoff man Brady Allen hit the first pitch he saw over the wall in left center for his second homer of the series.
The Vols evened things up with a run of their own in the top of the second thanks to a two-out RBI single by Pete Derkay to score Lipcius, who singled earlier in the inning and stole second to move into scoring position.
After a scoreless third inning, the Big Orange put up a four-spot in the fourth to take a 5-1 lead. They opened the inning with three straight hits, the last of which was an RBI double from Jordan Beck. Two batters later, Pavolony blasted a three-run homer to dead center field to put UT ahead by four.
After scoring three runs in the eighth, Jeff Heinrich led off the ninth with a double to put the tying run in scoring position, but Hunley responded by striking out Joe Satterfield, Allen and Andrew Eyster to strand Heinrich on second and end the game.
Tennessee (42-14 // 20-10 SEC) will head to Hoover next week as a top-four seed and will have a first-round bye. The Vols will play their first game in the tournament on Wednesday (time and opponent TBD).
NOTABLE
VOLS SECURE TOP-FOUR SEED: With Saturday’s win, Tennessee locked up a top-four seed and a first round bye in next week’s SEC Tournament for the first time since 2005 (No. 3 seed). The Vols can finish no lower than the No. 3 seed, but still have a chance to be the No. 2 seed and win the SEC Eastern Division should Vanderbilt lose to Kentucky this afternoon. UT’s 20 SEC victories this season are its most since finishing with 22 conference wins in 1995.
SERIES WIN IN COLUMBIA: The Vols ended a lengthy streak of series losses in Columbia on Saturday. With its 5-4 win over the Gamecocks, Tennessee recorded its first road series win over South Carolina since 2006.
RUBBER GAME WINS: Saturday’s win was UT’s fifth in a winner-take-all rubber game this season with all five coming in conference play. The Vols are now 5-2 on the year in rubber games, including a perfect 4-0 record on the road.
ROAD WARRIORS: Tennessee finished the regular season with a perfect 6-0 record in road series this season, including winning all five of its SEC series away from home. Prior to this season, the Vols had never won five SEC road series in a single season. Their 16-5 road record this year was the best in the SEC.
DALLAS – Tennessee’s Jake Rucker has been selected as one of 42 semifinalists for the 2021 Dick Howser Trophy, as announced by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association on Friday afternoon.
Now in its 34th year, the Dick Howser Trophy is awarded in memory of the former Florida State University All-America shortstop and major league player and manager, who died of brain cancer in 1987, and is regarded by many as college baseball’s most prestigious award. Criteria for consideration of the trophy include performance on the field, leadership, moral character and courage, qualities that were exemplified by Dick Howser’s life.
Rucker has been one of the Vols’ most consistent players in a breakout junior campaign while helping lead Tennessee to its most successful regular season in over 15 years. The junior third baseman ranks among the national and SEC leaders in hits and doubles while ranking second on the team with a .344 batting average and 50 RBI.
The Greenbrier, Tennessee, native was named the SEC Co-Player of the Week on April 26 after a huge series at Texas A&M, tying a career high with three hits in all three games while also hitting four doubles and a home run in the series win over the Aggies. Rucker was also tabbed as a preseason third-team All-American by Baseball America.
The SEC led all conferences with 14 semifinalists named to this year’s list. The finalists will be announced on Thursday, June 10. Due to COVID-19 protocols at TD Ameritrade Stadium in downtown Omaha, the announcement of this year’s winner will be done via Zoom. The winner will be unveiled on the MLB Network.
The view the complete list of semifinalists, click HERE.
COLUMBIA, S.C. – A three-run homer from Brady Allen in the fifth inning was the difference as No. 4 Tennessee fell to No. 15 South Carolina on Friday night at Founders Field.
The Gamecocks evened the series with the win, forcing a decisive rubber game tomorrow afternoon at high noon.
Pete Derkay had his second straight multi-hit night and also scored a run while Jordan Beck finished with a pair of singles, as well. Luc Lipcius and Connor Pavolony drove in the Vols’ two runs on the night with a solo home run and an RBI single in the third and fourth innings.
Will Heflin gave the Big Orange 4.1 quality innings, finishing with six strikeouts while allowing two runs on four hits. Junior right hander Camden Sewell was stellar in relief, striking out five and allowing just one hit in 3.1 innings, but that one hit was Allen’s three-run homer in the fifth that proved to be the difference.
South Carolina starter Brett Kerry was able to hold UT at bay for most of the night, scattering seven hits and allowing just two runs while striking out eight batters in seven innings.
Just like Thursday’s game, the Vols opened the scoring with a run in the top of the third inning to take a 1-0 lead. Derkay led off with a double off the left-field wall and came around to score one batter later on an RBI single by Pavolony.
Lipcius extended Tennessee’s lead to two with his second home run of the series, a solo shot to right field with two outs in the fourth inning. It was the 11th long ball of the year for the redshirt-junior first baseman.
After threatening and coming up empty in the fourth, the Gamecocks led off the fifth with a pair of singles to put pressure on Heflin once again. After a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners, UT went to the bullpen to try and escape the jam. However, Allen went deep off of Camden Sewell to give the Gamecocks a 3-2 lead before Sewell retired the next two batters to end the inning.
The Vols had a chance to tie or retake the lead in the top of the seventh with runners on second and third with only one out, but Kerry got Pavolony and Liam Spence to pop up to escape the jam unscathed and preserve Carolina’s one-run lead.
Julian Bosnic pitched two scoreless innings to finish the game and earn his fourth save of the year.
Tennessee will look to take the series and secure a top-four seed in the SEC Tournament with a win in tomorrow’s rubber game, which will begin at noon and be televised on the SEC Network.
NOTABLE
DERKAY HAVING SOLID SERIES: Vols’ designated hitter Pete Derkay is putting together one of his best series of the season. After a 2-for-3 performance on Friday, the Georgia native is now 4-for-7 with three runs scored, two doubles and an RBI in the series.
DECISIVE RUBBER GAME: Tennessee is no stranger to rubber games this season, having played in six already this year. The Vols are 4-2 in those games, including a perfect 3-0 record on the road. A win on Saturday would clinch a top-four seed and a first-round bye in next week’s SEC Tournament.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Seven runs in the fifth and sixth innings lifted the No. 9-seeded Lady Vols to a convincing 8-1 victory over Eastern Kentucky to open the Knoxville Regional of the NCAA Softball Tournament Friday evening at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.
Junior pitcher Ashley Rogers spun her 24th complete game of the season and picked up the win, improving her record to 26-8 on the year. The Athens, Tennessee, native allowed one earned run on four hits while collecting six strikeouts with no walks surrendered.
Senior right fielder Amanda Ayala led the Big Orange at the dish, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored. Seven other Lady Vols recorded one hit each, highlighted by a three-run homer for senior shortstop Ivy Davis.
After back-to-back singles put runners on the corners in the bottom of the first, Tennessee (42-13) got on the board with an infield single to third by junior catcher Ally Shipman. Ayala crossed the plate to give the Big Orange a 1-0 lead in the early going.
Eastern Kentucky (35-16) responded in the top half of the second, tying the game as redshirt freshman Miranda Lopez roped an RBI double down the left field line to score Vianna Barron who had reached on a leadoff single.
With the game knotted at one apiece, EKU’s Mollie Paulick entered the circle in relief and both pitchers combined to retire 15 consecutive batters. Paulick led off the top of the fifth with a single to right center, but her pinch runner was left stranded after an outstanding leaping catch in left field by Cailin Hannon ended the frame and saved a potential run scoring opportunity for the Colonels.
Tennessee capitalized on its defensive momentum and regained the lead with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the fifth. After Kaitlin Parsons stole second, pinch hitter Madison Webber brought her home with a go-ahead single to left to make it a 2-1 ballgame. Webber later scored from second on an RBI single to center by Ayala that gave the Lady Vols a 3-1 advantage.
UT blew the game open with five runs in the bottom of the sixth, beginning with a one-out RBI single to third from Parsons that brought in freshman Kaylan Cole. With runners on the corners, Davis stepped up to the plate and launched her 16th home run of the season off the top of the left center field wall to drive in three more for the Lady Vols. Ayala capped her strong offensive outing with a single to right field, scoring Kiki Milloy from second.
After giving up two hits in the second, Rogers sat down 16 of her last 19 batters faced and retired the side in order on three occasions Friday evening. The junior ace held EKU scoreless for five-straight innings to end the game and cement the final score, 8-1.
UP NEXT
The No. 9-seeded Lady Vols will take on No. 22 James Madison Saturday at noon, with first pitch set for 12 p.m. ET at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium. The Dukes knocked off No. 25 Liberty 4-3 in the opening game of the Knoxville Regional.
Blake Shelton’s new album Body Language is out now!
This is Blake’s 12th studio album, and while it’s coming out on the heels of 2020, he says that this is not a “quarantine” album per say, “You know, I can’t sit here and say that this album was created during the pandemic, because it dates back way further than that. We’ve actually been working on this album for probably over 2 years now…I think, and we’ve recorded parts of it in Nashville, Oklahoma, Los Angeles…some of it out on the road that I don’t even remember where we were. But we were definitely able to focus in and finish the album during this pandemic. I think we only actually recorded 3 songs during the pandemic…believe it or not. Just been waiting for the right time to release this music.”
The album contains his number-1 hit with Gwen Stefani, “Happy Anywhere”…
Along with “Happy Anywhere” – Body Language also contains 11 additional tracks…including his current single “Minimum Wage,” which Blake recalls listening to, and loving the first time he heard the track after his longtime producer Scott Hendricks sent it to him, “First time I heard ‘Minimum Wage’ I think I was just driving around in my truck…Scott Hendricks had sent me some songs to listen to, and the song just absolutely energized me. I instantly had ideas in my mind of how we were going to make this record, how it was going to be produced, and things I wanted to ask Scott to try to make come to a reality…and he was able to do all that stuff. My favorite thing about the record…is the piano intro.”
The album’s title shares the name of a track on the project that was written by The Swon Brothers.
Zach and Colton Swon have stayed close to Blake ever since they appear on Team Blake during Season 4 of The Voice.
Blake loves the song they wrote, and feels a special connection to the lyrics “’Body Language’ is a song that my friends The Swon Brothers co-wrote, and I just love the song because it has such a unique melody, and I actually, honestly, really relate to the song. The first verse really hit home with me. After 20 years of touring with loud music blowing my brains out…I’m actually going a little bit deaf I think…that’s what the first verse is about if you ask me.”
Before the album reaches fans, Blake has a very specific way to test if his new music is ready for release “When I complete a recording, normally the first place I listen to it is just on my iPhone…believe it or not. I think you can really tell a lot about a mix, and a song if you can hear it on that tiny little speaker…if it jumps out at ya…that’s usually the first place I listen to it, and I know that’s weird but I feel like if you can make something sound incredible on that tiny speaker, then you’ve done something.”
9. “The Girl Can’t Help It” (Ben Hayslip, Josh Osborne, Mark Holman)
10. “The Flow” (Shane McAnally, Ross Copperman, Josh Osborne)
11. “Neon Time” (Jaron Boyer, Michael Tyler, Ben West)
12. “Bible Verses” (Joe Fox, Andrew Peebles, Brett Sheroky)
Fans will have a chance to hear music from Blake’s new album in person this summer when he heads out on his Friends and Heroes 2021 tour.
Blake shared that his “friends” includes a very special group of country hit makers, “I’m excited to welcome Martina McBride, Tracy Byrd, Trace Adkins and my very special guest Lindsay Ell to the Friends and Heroes 2021 Tour”
BLAKE SHELTON’S FRIENDS AND HEROES 2021 DATES:
All tickets on sale 6/10 at 10am local time except where noted
August 18: Omaha, NE / CHI Health Center*
August 20: Denver, CO / Ball Arena*
September 2: Philadelphia, PA / Wells Fargo Center
September 3-4: Washington, D.C. / The Anthem
September 9: Nashville, TN / Bridgestone Arena
September 10: Evansville, IN / Ford Center
September 11: Rosemont, IL / Allstate Arena*
September 16: North Charleston, SC / North Charleston Coliseum
September 17: Greenville, SC / Bon Secours Wellness Arena
September 18: Duluth, GA / Infinite Energy Center
September 23: St. Louis, MO / Enterprise Center
September 24: Tulsa, OK / BOK Center
September 25: Fort Worth, TX /Dickies Arena
September 30: Grand Rapids, MI / Van Andel Arena
October 1: Detroit, MI / Little Caesars Arena*
October 2: Milwaukee, WI / Fiserv Forum*
*Rescheduled date. These shows are on sale now. If you previously purchased tickets for one of these shows and you’re no longer able to attend, you may request a refund within 30 days. To be eligible, you must have purchased your tickets through Ticketmaster and not have transferred, posted, or sold them.
Body Language from Blake Shelton is out now, and it features his current single “Minimum Wage.”
Jordan says that his was only able to make his EP Buy Dirt because of the time he had last year due to the quarantine…
Jordan shares, “This EP, Buy Dirt, it’s been my last year. You know, I think I’ve learned a lot about myself, and I’ve been able to kind of reprioritize some stuff. I think it’s good to be busy. I’ve kind of always leaned on being busy as this really, really good thing. Being busy is good because that means you have a lot of work or whatever. But unfortunately, when you’re busy and you’re on the road, a lot of things that should come first kind of get pushed to the side. I kind of had to figure that out, and the pandemic really put it right in front of my face. And so, My writing changed, and I think that’s what a lot of these songs on Buy Dirt kind of reflect.”
Buy Dirt Track Listing:
“Blow Up Your TV” (Written by John Prine and Jeffrey Bradford Kent)
“Buy Dirt” (feat. Luke Bryan) (Written by Jordan Davis, Jacob Davis, Josh Jenkins, Matt Jenkins)
“Need To Not” (Written by Jordan Davis, Jacob Davis, Josh Jenkins, Matt Jenkins)
“Drink Had Me” (Written by Jordan Davis, Ashley Gorley, Emily Weisband, Paul DiGiovanni)
“Lose You” (Written by Jordan Davis, Paul DiGiovanni, Josh Kerr, Josh Dorr)
“Almost Maybes” (Written by Jordan Davis, Jesse Frasure, Hillary Lindsey)
“I Still Smoked” (Written by Jordan Davis, Randy Montana, Jonathan Singleton)
“Trying” (Written by Jordan Davis, Ashley Gorley, Emily Weisband, Paul DiGiovanni)
The title track for Buy Dirt features a very special guest singer – Luke Bryan. Dylan shares how Luke got involved with the track, “We sat around the fire after a golf tournament one day, smoking cigars and talking about everything BUT music. That conversation always stuck with me. Luke isn’t just a great entertainer; he’s a great Dad, a great husband, and a great friend, too. That’s what ‘Buy Dirt’ embodies. When I wrote ‘Buy Dirt,’ I knew he could relate to the song’s message. I took a chance and asked him to join me on the recording, and he said ‘yes’.”
The EP Buy Dirt – which is available now – also features Jordan Davis’ hit song “Almost Maybes.”
Gary LeVox‘s 5-song EP One On One is available now.
The new collection of songs with a Christian influence is Gary’s first post-Rascal Flatts project, and he says “It was time. You know, there’s time for a new season, and now’s the time…feels really good. I’m really excited about the new music.”
Gary adds, “One On One is my passion project and I have wanted to do this body of work for as long as I can remember. Two of my greatest passions, music and faith, are finally coming together.”
Gary shares, “Gospel and Bluegrass and Country…that’s just my foundation you know.”
When it came to working on the project – it was actually helped by the stay at home orders of 2020, “I’ve had plenty of time…of course, through this whole pandemic thing to really create and cut some new stuff and I’m just thrilled about it.”
One On One Track List:
1. “A Little Love” (featuring MercyMe)
2. “Never Forget” (featuring Jonathan McReynolds)
3. “While I Wait” (featuring Brittany LeVox)
4. “All I See” (featuring BRELAND)
5. “The Distance”
One On One from Gary LeVox, featuring “The Distance” is available now.
Max Ferguson and Connor Pavolony – Vols / Credit: UT Athletics
COLUMBIA, S.C. – A sixth-run fourth inning provided No. 4 Tennessee all the runs it would need in a 10-4 series-opening win over No. 15 South Carolina on Thursday night at Founders Park.
The Volunteers recorded five of their 12 hits during the six-run fourth, including a pair of two-run homers from Luc Lipcius and Max Ferguson to take a 7-0 lead. Ferguson and Lipcius both finished with two hits, three RBI and a run scored.
Pete Derkay also had a nice night at the, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI double, including UT’s first hit of the game in the third inning. Five Vols finished with multiple hits on the night.
Chad Dallas bounced back from a tough start last weekend with a great performance on Thursday night to earn the win and improve to 9-1 on the year. The Texas native retired 10 batters in a row at one point and finished with eight strikeouts in a career-high 7.2 innings pitched.
The Vols opened the scoring with a run in the top of the third. Derkay recorded the first hit of the game with a leadoff single to center field before Connor Pavolony reached on a walk. Liam Spence advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt and Ferguson got the job done with a sacrifice fly to score Derkay and give UT a 1-0 lead.
After Dallas retired the side in order to end the third, Tennessee exploded for six runs on five hits in the top of the fourth to chase Gamecock’s starter Brannon Jordan. Lipcius and Ferguson both hit two-run bombs to right field while Derkay and Pavolony both had RBI hits in the inning, as well.
South Carolina responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning as Wes Clarke hit his SEC-leading 21st homer of the year to cut UT’s lead to 7-2.
The Gamecocks pulled within three on another two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth by Andrew Eyster. Sean Hunley came on in relief of Dallas and got Braylen Wimmer to strike out looking to end the inning.
A two-out rally gave the Big Orange some more insurance runs in the top of the ninth. After Ferguson was picked off at first for out No. 2, Rucker singled up the middle and came all the way around to score one batter later on a triple by Gilbert off the right-field wall. Evan Russel followed with an RBI double and Lipcius came through with an RBI single to make it 10-4.
Hunley allowed a single in the ninth but induced a double-play ball and another ground out to end the game and earn his sixth save of the year.
The Vols will go for the series win tomorrow at 7 p.m. in game two of the series. Fans can watch the action live on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app.
NOTABLE
SKID SNAPPED: Entering Thursday night’s contest, Tennessee had lost 11 straight road games at South Carolina. The win was the Vols’ first in Columbia since a 5-4 victory on April 6, 2012.
BIG FLIES: Luc Lipcius and Max Ferguson both hit their 10th homers of the season during UT’s six-run fourth inning. The Vols have now homered in 14 of their last 15 SEC games and have hit multiple long balls in nine of those contests.
DOUBLE-DIGIT RUNS: Thursday night’s 10-run output marked the eighth time this season that Tennessee has scored double-digit runs in an SEC game and the 15-time overall this year. The Vols are 15-0 in those games this season.
#ROADVOLS: Tennessee improved upon its SEC-best road record with Thursday’s victory over the Gamecocks. The Vols are now 15-4 on the road this season and 10-3 in road conference games.
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