Did you catch Maren Morris and JP Saxe‘s recent appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden – the two were there singing their song “Line By Line”.
You can check out their performance right here…
Photo Credit: Alex Ferrari
Pavolony Named to Buster Posey Award Watch List
WICHITA, Kan. – Tennessee junior Connor Pavolony was named to the 2021 Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Watch List, the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission announced on Tuesday afternoon.
Pavolony is in his third as the Vols’ primary catcher this season. The junior backstop put up respectable numbers while starting 34 games as a freshman in 2019 before getting off to a fantastic start to the 2020 season. When the season was called, Pavolony was tied for second on the team with a career-high four home runs and ranked second on the team with a .737 slugging percentage. He also ranked fourth on the team with a .342 batting average and fifth on the squad with 12 RBI despite playing in just 12 of the team’s 17 games. Pavolony is one of the top defensive catchers in the league, as well, boasting a strong arm and quick release.
The Georgia native caught the attention of media outlets and scouts alike heading into his junior campaign, earning preseason second-team All-America honors from D1Baseball.com while also coming in at No. 39 on the organization’s top 2021 College MLB Draft Prospects list. He was named the third best catcher in the country by D1Baseball.com in their preseason power rankings of the position.
Pavolony is one of 69 players named to the watch list, which will be narrowed down to the semifinalists on May 20. Ballots will be sent to the national voting committee at the end of May for a vote to determine the three finalists. The finalists will be announced on June 7. A final vote among the national committee will occur during the College World Series and all three finalists will be brought to Wichita, where the winner will be announced at a date that is yet to be determined.
The complete list of watch list candidates can be seen HERE (PDF).
-UT Athletics
Raleigh Keegan Is An Honest “Handyman” Here to Help
Raleigh Keegan has a new song out for fans — “Handyman.”
He co-wrote the track, and with every project he works on, there’s always one constant beginning point for Raleigh’s writing, “A song for me always starts with honesty.”
Talking about the track, Raleigh says, “’Handyman’ is an honest take on how I function in some parts of my life. It’s about how often it feels like I am better at helping others than I am at dealing with my own issues. It’s about being there and being good at being a fixer for your loved ones, even if you feel a bit helpless with your own struggles.”
He co-wrote this latest song with Marshall Altman — in fact, Raleigh has had hand in co-writing all of the tracks on his upcoming project — keeping that honesty front and center on everything he sings.
On March 14th, Raleigh will go from singing “Handyman” to being one — as he’s taking part in a Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville project to benefit a single mom of 3.
Raleigh, a crew of volunteers, and 5 lucky local contest winners will all be on site to help finish off the work that is needed on the new home.
There’s still time if you want to enter to do some good and hang with Raleigh Keegan all at the same time. The contest runs until 5pm CT on Wednesday, March 10 — fans can get more information about how to enter HERE. Habitat for Humanity follows CDC and local guidelines for COVID precautions on the build site.
As he’s working on the home site, you might hear Raleigh singing this one to make the work go by faster — check out “Handyman”
Photo Credit: David McClister
Softball Preview: #22 Tennessee vs. Austin Peay
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Following a perfect 5-0 weekend at the Reveille Classic in Bryan-College Station last weekend, the No. 22 Tennessee softball team returns home to Sherri Parker Lee Stadium for a mid-week encounter with in-state foe, Austin Peay. First pitch is slated for 5 p.m. ET and the action can be seen on SEC Network+.
BROADCAST INFO
Fans can stream the matchup between the Lady Vols and the Governors using the ESPN App, or by accessing WatchESPN at espn.com/watch.
Wednesday’s contest can be heard on your local Vol Network affiliate and online on UTsports.com. Fans will be able to listen to Brian Rice describing the action.
QUICK HITS
KIKI DOES IN FACT LOVE US
Sophomore outfielder Kiki Milloy is the reigning SEC Player of the Week following a stellar weekend at Texas A&M.
The Woodinville, Washington native went 8-of-13 at the dish, with four homers and eight RBI’s to help lead UT to five wins, with four coming by run-rule.
Coming into Wednesday’s game, Milloy ranks second in the SEC in home runs, with 10 and 12th in RBI’s with 19 through 18 games. She also leads the conference in stolen bases with 12.
DOMINANCE IN THE CIRCLE
In its last 10 games, Tennessee has allowed just four runs, on the backs of stud pitchers Ashley Rogers, Callie Turner and Samantha Bender.
Last week, both Bender and Turner became the first Lady Vol duo to toss no-hitters in the same season since 2012, doing so against Central Michigan and Lamar.
Junior standout, Rogers, currently leads the SEC with 94 strikeouts and ranks seventh in the league with a sparkling, 0.70, earned run average.
DEFENSE WINS
Tennessee leads the SEC in both runs allowed (17) and fielding percentage (.986), while committing just six errors—the fewest in the league—across its 18 games played.
OFFENSE HELPS WITH WINNING TOO
The Lady Vols have exploded at the plate of late, averaging 7.9 runs per game and currently rank third in the SEC in batting average (.358) and second in slugging percentage, hitting ropes at a rate of .674.
The Lady Vols lineup also features seven regular starters hitting above .350 and four batters slugging above .800 through 18 games.
SCOUTING AUSTIN PEAY
2021 Record: 6-4 Overall, 1-2 OVC
Series Record: Tennessee leads, 17-0.
Last Outing: A dominant 10-0 victory for the Lady Vols in Knoxville on March 17, 2010.
Key Player/Stat: The Governor’s arrive in Knoxville after dropping 2-of-3 in a road series with OVC foe Southeast Missouri. Senior Brooke Pfefferle leads Austin Peay in batting average (.406), slugging percentage (.625) and on-base percentage (.513).
UP NEXT
The Lady Vols will open up SEC play this weekend with a three-game series against LSU. First pitch for Friday’s game is set for 6 p.m. ET, while Saturday and Sunday’s contests are slated for 1 p.m. ET. Saturday’s game will also be televised on SEC Network.
-UT Athletics
Matthew Butler Awarded NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee senior defensive lineman Matthew Butler has been awarded an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, the organization recently announced.
Butler becomes the second UT football student-athlete to earn the honor in the past four years, joining Parker Henry (2018). Previous Volunteer recipients include: Peyton Manning (1997), Tim Irwin (1980), Mike Mauck (1977), Tim Priest (1971) and Don Dembo (1971).
“The NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship has the potential to continue to further my education,” Butler said. “We live in a world where education is paramount and knowledge is power. It’s good to shatter stereotypes and continue to strive toward my goals. Thank you to Tennessee and the NCAA for their consideration and recognition for this scholarship. I am thankful and honored.”
In January, Butler announced his return for his second senior season at UT. He anchors the defensive line in 2021 after ranking fourth on the squad in tackles last fall with 43. He added three tackles for loss, two sacks, four quarterback hurries and one forced fumble while starting all 10 games.
Off the field, Butler has been equally impressive. A four-time SEC Academic Honor Roll recipient, Butler earned his undergraduate degree in political science in December. A was a member of the 2018-19 VOLeaders Academy and a 2019 CoSIDA Academic All-District 3 First Team honoree.
The NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship was created in 1964 to promote and encourage graduate education by rewarding the Association’s most accomplished student-athletes through their participation in NCAA championship and/or emerging sports. The one-time non-renewable scholarships of $10,000 are awarded three times a year corresponding to each sport season (fall, winter and spring). Each sports season there are 21 scholarships available for men and 21 scholarships available for women for use in an accredited graduate program.
In maintaining the highest broad-based standards in the selection process, the program aims to reward those individuals whose dedication and effort are reflective of those characteristics necessary to succeed and thrive through graduate study.
-UT Athletics
Pons, Johnson, Springer Earn SEC Postseason Honors
One Tennessee basketball senior and a pair of freshmen earned SEC postseason honors from the league’s head coaches, it was announced Tuesday.
For the second straight year, Yves Pons was named to the SEC All-Defensive Team. The senior from Fuveau, France, led the Vols and ranked fourth in the SEC with 1.8 blocks per game during league play this season. His 126 career blocks rank 10th all-time in program history.
Pons also logged a career-high 16 steals on the year while ranking second on the team with nine charges drawn.
Pons joins current Dallas Mavericks starter Josh Richardson as the only Vols ever to earn multiple selections to the SEC All-Defensive Team. Richardson earned the honor in 2014 and 2015.
Two Vols landed on the coaches’ eight-man SEC All-Freshman Team, as first-year standouts Keon Johnson and Jaden Springer distinguished themselves during conference play. Tennessee was the only team to place multiple players on this year’s All-Freshman Team. Springer (12.7 ppg) and Johnson (12.1 ppg) were Tennessee’s top-two scorers in SEC action this season.
Over UT’s 17-game SEC slate, Springer also led the Vols in assists (3.3 apg). A remarkably efficient scorer, he shot .463 from the field, .400 from 3-point range and .800 at the free-throw line. He had five 20-point games against SEC opposition, highlighted by a 30-point performance in the win over Georgia.
Johnson’s 2.6 assists per game ranked second on the squad during SEC play. He added 15 steals and shot an impressive .453 from the field. Overall this season, Johnson’s fearless play saw him lead the Vols in charges drawn (11) and diving efforts (13). The Shelbyville, Tennessee, native logged a pair of 20-point efforts during SEC play. Vol fans will remember his 27-point explosion at Kentucky, as he led a second-half rally that lifted Tennessee to victory at Rupp Arena.
The Volunteers enter this week’s SEC Tournament as the No. 4 seed. The Big Orange travel to Nashville on Wednesday afternoon and tip off in the quarterfinals against a to-be-determined opponent (Florida, Vanderbilt or Texas A&M) Friday at 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
For a complete listing of the SEC coaches’ postseason awards, click HERE.
-UT Athletics
Kenny Chesney Previews “Knowing You” Music Video – Which Arrives Friday
Kenny Chesney recently released his latest single, “Knowing You” — and this Friday, the music video for the track arrives for fans.
Talking about the song Kenny says, “‘Knowing You’ sounds like coming home in a lot of ways. This is the essence of all the music that country is. When you hear it, something inside tingles, because it’s more than production tricks, the guitars, or how hard the drums hit. It’s just so pure. Country at its very best is true, it’s from the heart. This song is just that… it’s all heart.”
Check out the preview clip for the “Knowing You” music video right here…
Kenny adds, “While it’s a simple country song, ‘Knowing You’ is the kind of song that can hold anyone. However the other person faded from your life, you’re always better for what was shared. And wherever they are, you know they’re living their best life, shining and doing the same thing for someone else… and that’s pretty rich. I wanted to make a video where you could see it, even feel that connection and how it holds you going forward. To me, the people who touch your life in profound ways are everything, so this song and this video are for them.”
The “Knowing You” music video premieres Friday (March 12) at 10am CT on YouTube.
Until then you can listen to the song here…
Photos Courtesy of Kenny Chesney
Niko Moon Is Having a “Good Time” at Number-One!
Niko Moon was very excited to share with his fans that with their support, “Good Time” has hit number-one on the country airplay chart!
Niko says that with out them, he’d just be a guy in his house playing guitar.
Watch Niko’s message here…
Check out the music video to Niko Moon’s number-one song “Good Time” right here…
Photo Credit: Matthew Berinato
Trisha Yearwood Is COVID Negative and Sharing Her New Cookbook Cover
This week, Trisha Yearwood gave fans a health update, and also shared the cover to her new cookbook, Trisha’s Kitchen – Easy Comfort Food for Friends and Family.
Trisha first announced, “I got the official news that I am COVID negative. Thank you all for your love, support messages and sweet tweets!”
She added, “My incredible husband (Garth Brooks) is literally Superman and never got COVID – but still took all the precautions to keep everyone we know and love safe!”
Trisha commented that “Don’t they say good news comes in 3s??!!”
It was then that she shared news about her upcoming cookbook, “Today I can finally share with you the cover of my new cookbook Trisha’s Kitchen. Garth said, good news begets good news, let’s share it with the world today and spread the love! Let me know what you think of the cover. You can get your copy September 28!”
Trisha’s fans know that she can cook up a comforting, delicious meal that will feed a family! Like her earlier bestsellers, Trisha’s Kitchen will include new family favorites and easy-to-make comfort foods, with stories about her family and what’s really important in life.
The 125 recipes include dishes her beloved mother used to make, plus new recipes like Pasta Pizza Snack Mix and Garth’s Teriyaki Bowl. Every recipe tells a story, whether it’s her grandma’s Million Dollar Cupcakes, or her Camo Cake that she made for her nephew’s birthday.
Trisha says: “I love to cook now more than I ever have, because for me, cooking is about love. It’s sharing a meal with family and friends and talking about our lives. It’s working out thoughts in my head about what I need to conquer or accomplish while I’m working on a homemade pastry crust. Sometimes the feel of cold butter in my hands working through the flour just makes me see things more clearly.”
Fans can preorder Trisha’s Kitchen right here https://bit.ly/3caInZv
Fans can also check out Trisha’s version of “Shallow” with her husband Garth Brooks.
Photo Credit: Russ Harrington
Granger Smith Stars With His Wife In Music Video for “Hate You Like I Love You”
Granger Smith‘s music video for this his new song “Hate You Like I Love You” has a very special guest star — his wife Amber Bartlett.
Posting this picture from the video shoot Granger said, “Here’s a good representation of our marriage. Me beat up, tired, ripped, bloody and burned. Amber flawless and composed.”
Talking about the song, Granger shares, “‘Hate You Like I Love You’ is one of the songs I’m really, really excited about and have been ever since the day I wrote it. I was on the bus in 2019 with some good buddies of mine and I brought up the scenario to them that really intrigued me. I said ‘Hey. What is the opposite of love?’ and they all quickly answered, ‘Well, hate of course.’ Nope. The opposite of love is indifference. Like complete apathy. Like ‘I don’t care.’ And actually, hate is a close relative of love. I mean it takes the same passion, the same extreme emotional effort to hate as it does to love. So, what if I wrote this song about the fellow who is hopelessly in love with this girl that he can’t have. And what if he’s trying everything he can do to make that leap of his love and turn it into hate. And that should be easy right? You would think. Well we discussed it for a bit on the bus and then the lyrics and the melody came quick “
That conflict of love and hate is represented well in the video for the song “Hate You Like I Love You” — which you can check out right here — starring Ganger and his wife Amber.
Headline Photo Courtesy of Broken Bow Records
Additional Photos Courtesy of Granger Smith
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