Due to expected cold temperatures after sun down on Friday and Saturday night, Tennessee has decided to move up the start times for Games 1 and 2 of its series against Georgia State this weekend.
Friday’s contest (originally slated for a 6:30 p.m. start) will now begin an hour earlier at 5:30 p.m. ET.
Saturday’s game (originally scheduled for a 6 p.m. start) will now begin three hours earlier at 3 p.m. ET.
Sunday’s series finale remains slated for a 1 p.m. ET first pitch.
All three games will be streamed live on SEC Network + and the ESPN app.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Another tough test awaits the 17th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers this weekend as Georgia State comes to town for a three-game series at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
The Panthers (4-6) have played arguably the toughest schedule of any team in the country thus far, with all 10 of their games coming against ranked opponents.
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Relying on the expertise of public health authorities, the state of Tennessee, appropriate university and government agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we are implementing a number of new initiatives at Tennessee Baseball gamedays this spring. The well-being of our student-athletes, fans and staff are our top priorities and guide our decisions. Exposure to COVID-19 is an inherent risk in any public location where people are present; we cannot guarantee you will not be exposed during your visit.
The Southeastern Conference in August released several conference-wide fan health and safety guidelines for all member institutions this fall. The Tennessee-specific measures outlined on this page are in line with, and in addition to, the SEC’s guidelines.
Parking
Baseball parking is located primarily in Lots GF1, G16, and C1.
Additional on-street parking is located in C10 along Todd Helton Dr. and Chamique Holdsclaw Dr. and along West Volunteer Blvd.
Handicap parking is located in marked handicap spaces on Pat Head Summitt St. and in the G16 Volunteer Blvd. garage. The 2021 parking map can be seen HERE (PDF).
For more information and gameday info, visit the Tennessee Baseball Gameday Information page by clicking HERE.
Ticket Information
Season tickets for this season are sold out. There are limited seating options still available for select games in the Porch and Deck areas. Fans should contact Maggie Coates at 865-974-9579 or [email protected] for more information.
There are no single-game general admission tickets being sold at the stadium this season. Single-game tickets can be purchased via Vivid Seats by clicking HERE.
BROADCAST INFO
All three of this weekend’s contests are slated to be streamed live on SEC Network + and the ESPN app. Will Boling (PxP) and Charlie Puleo (color) will have the call for each game.
Fans can also listen to the games on UTSports.com and the UT Gameday app, as John Wilkerson and Vince Ferrara call the action.
PROJECTED STARTING PITCHERS
Game 1 – 6:30 PM: RHP Chad Dallas (1-0) vs. RHP Ryan Watson (1-0) Game 2 – 6:00 PM: RHP Blade Tidwell (0-1) vs. RHP Trey Horton (0-0) OR LHP Cameron Jones (0-0) Game 3 – 1:00 PM: TBD vs. RHP Trey Horton (0-0) OR LHP Cameron Jones (0-0)
SERIES HISTORY
Overall: Tennessee leads, 15-1
In Knoxville: UT leads, 10-0
In Atlanta: UT leads, 5-1
Neutral Sites: N/A
Last Meeting: W, 3-2 (March 7, 2004)
This weekend’s series will be the first meeting between the two programs since the Vols swept the Panthers in Knoxville back in 2007. All three games in that series were decided by two or fewer runs. Tennessee has dominated the all-time series, winning 16 of the 17 games, including a perfect 10-0 record in Knoxville.
NOTABLE
Hunley and Walsh Leading Pitching Staff
Veteran hurlers Sean Hunley and Redmond Walsh have been the backbone of Tennessee’s pitching staff this season despite not starting any games. The senior duo is a combined 4-0 on the year and has allowed just 11 hits and three earned runs in 20.2 combined innings of relief.
Hunley ranks second on the team with 12.2 innings pitched and played a major role in both of UT’s wins over Indiana State last weekend. The Mount Juliet native is also tied for the team lead with 16 strikeouts and has held opposing hitters to a .136 batting average. Walsh earned the win in Sunday’s series finale against the Sycamores and also has one save this season. He has yet to allow an earned run and is holding batters to a .167 average in eight innings pitched.
Beck Breaking Out
Sophomore outfielder Jordan Beck has been the Vols’ most dangerous hitter this season with a team high three home runs and 12 RBI through 10 games. Beck has reached base in all nine games he’s played in this season, with hits in seven of those contests. His 12 RBI rank 20th nationally and fourth in the SEC entering this weekend’s series.
Spence Continues to Produce
Senior shortstop Liam Spence has been the Vols’ most consistent hitter so far this season, leading the team with a .333 batting average, 10 runs and 13 hits. The Australian has a hit in nine of UT’s 10 games this season and has scored a run in eight games.
Non-Conference Dominance
Tennessee has been extremely successful against non-conference competition since the start of the 2019 season, posting a 49-9 record in that time.
The Vols’ 26 victories against non-conference teams during the 2019 season were their most since winning 30 in 2000. UT was 15-2 in non-league games last season and is off to an 8-2 start this year.
Vols in the Polls
Tennessee entered the 2021 season ranked in the Top 25 nationally in four of the six major polls. This year marked the first time that the Vols had been ranked in the preseason Top 25 since 2007, when UT was ranked as high as No. 11 to begin the season.
The Vols current rankings entering this week are listed below.
Tennessee Current Top 25 Rankings
USA Today #17
D1Baseball.com #18
NCBWA #18
Baseball America #22
OPPONENT SCOUT
Georgia State Panthers
2021 Record: 4-6 (0-0 Sun Belt)
2019 Postseason: N/A
Head Coach: Brad Stromdahl (2nd season) // Has already led the Panthers to four ranked wins this season.
The Panthers’ four ranked wins have been even more impressive considering the fact that they were picked to finish last in the Sun Belt’s east division.
Georgia State has already recorded wins over No. 14 West Virginia (two), No. 2 Vanderbilt and No. 10 Georgia Tech.
Senior catcher Elian Merejo was named to the Sun Belt Preseason All-Conference Team as a designated hitter. He enters this weekend’s series leading the team with three doubles, two homers and nine RBI.
Sophomore RHP Ryan Watson is projected to start Friday night’s series opener and has led the Panthers’ pitching staff so far this season with a 1-0 record, 2.70 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 10.0 innings pitched.
GAME PROMOTIONS
Upcoming 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.
ON DECK
Following this weekend’s series, the Vols travel to Charlotte for a Tuesday midweek game against the 49ers. The game is slated to begin at 4 p.m. ET.
Carly Pearce was back in her home state today (March, 4th) for the unveiling of her display in the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame & Museum.
Carly was on hand to accept the honor, saying “This is so special to me. I love Kentucky so much, I have state tattooed on my wrist because I love it so much!”
Speaking in front of a costume that her mom made for Carly when she was going to perform “Blue Moon of Kentucky” in her 4th grade school talent show — which she went on to win — Carly added, “You dream of one day impacting…all I ever wanted to do was sing country music and just to know that I am making my home state proud in a way that I always hoped to, and following in the footsteps of so many people in this Museum makes me very very happy, and just very honored to be here.”
Carly also treated the people at the event and those watching online to 3 of her songs which she sang acoustically, “Every Little Thing,” “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” and “Next Girl.”
You can watch the event of the unveiling of Carly Pearce’s exhibit at the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame & Museum as it happened right here…
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – No. 25/19 Tennessee makes its second attempt at a road tournament this weekend as the team heads to College Station, Texas for the Reveille Classic (March 5-7). The Lady Vols, who are coming off of a 7-0 week, played their first 13 games at home for the first time in program history.
UT will open Friday with a doubleheader against Campbell (11 am ET) and Lamar (1:30 p.m.) at Davis Diamond, before a late afternoon start on Saturday against host-team and conference-mate Texas A&M at 4 p.m. Saturday concludes for the Lady Vols with a rematch against Lamar at 6:30 p.m. The weekend concludes with a follow-up contest against the Camels at 11 a.m.
Broadcast Info
Radio broadcast will be available for all of Tennessee’s contest during the weekend on UTsports.com with Brian Rice on the call.
Tennessee’s nonconference matchup against in-conference opponent Texas A&M will be live streamed on SECN+.
Quick Hits
Pitchin’ Weekend
UT is coming off of an undefeated weekend in the circle, headlined by current SEC Pitcher of the Week and junior Ashley Rogers. Rogers recorded a career-best 18 Ks vs Central Michigan and joined elite company as she became just the fourth pitcher in UT history to achieve that mark. Monica Abbott, Ellen Renfroe and Megan Rhodes-Smith, who is in her first year as UT’s pitching coach, are the others. Rogers’ highmark ties for eighth all-time. After Rogers’ noteworthy performance redshirt junior Samantha Bender got the starting nod. In her first start of 2021, Bender threw the program’s first solo no-hitter since 2016 when Erin Gabriel pitched a perfect game against Jacksonville in a 10-0 run rule. Bender, a Chambersburg, Pa., native made 13 appearances in 2020 and finished with a 5-1 record and 2.77 ERA. She also added two saves to the ledger in 43.0 innings of work.
Hit Makers
The Lady Vols are outhitting opponents 100-40 and 44 percent of their hits have been for extra bases including 24 home runs. Tennessee ranks fourth in the SEC and 11th nationally in home runs per game (1.85). UT’s home run total is ahead of where the 2015 team, which registered 100 yard balls in a season, was 13 games in.The Orange and White’s 18 doubles so far rank sixth in the SEC and 24th nationally. Senior outfielder and lead-off hitter Amanda Ayala currently leads the team with 17 hits, nine of which have been extra-base hits (4 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR), while sophomore outfielder Kiki Milloy, who is leading the team with 16 runs, holds the current team-high six home runs. Yard balls account for 50 percent of Milloy’s hits at the moment.
A Score of Success
The 2021 season marks the 20th season that co-head coaches Ralph Weekly and Karen Weekly have managed the Lady Vol ball club. The NFCA Hall of Famers (Ralph was inducted in 2011, Karen was inducted in 2018) boast an overall record of 1,408-466-2 at Tennessee. In their time on Rocky Top, the program transformed into a national powerhouse, with 18 consecutive seasons in the top 25 polls. Since 2001, the Weekly’s have guided players to 36 All-America selections, 64 NFCA All-Region nods, five SEC Player of the Year honors, three SEC Pitcher of the Year titles, 60 All-SEC selections and a deluge of distinguished recognitions. Some of the sports’ most respected names once sported the Orange and White, including Olympian Monica Abbott, considered one of the greatest pitchers of all time, India Chiles, Ivy Renfroe, Rainey Gaffin, Madison Shipman, Sarah Fekete, Raven Chavanne and Aubrey Leach, to name a few. The Weekly’s, who also were co-heads at Chattanooga, have led the Lady Vols to seven WCWS appearances and were SEC Co-Coaches of the Year in 2004 and 2007.
Scouting Report Campbell 2021 record: 4-4, 0-0 Big South Series record: UT leads 4-0 Last outing: First-ever meeting Key player/stat: The Camels are coming off of a 1-3 weekend against EKU. Their lone win was an 8-0 shutout of the Colonels in five innings, while two of the losses were determined by one run. Campbell is led by the Claudia Ware and Alexa Pagano, who have combined for 14 starts this season and are both batting .375. Ware, who was a member of the All-Big South Freshman Team in 2019, leads her team with nine hits that includes a pair of doubles and a pair of triples. The redshirt sophomore is on a four-game hitting streak.
Lamar 2021 record: 2-13, 0-0 Southland Last outing: First-ever meeting Key player/stat: The Cardinals have faced a tough slate so far with four contests against top 25 opponents, including No. 7 Texas, No. 11 Oklahoma State (twice) and No. 23 Baylor. Lamar has show signs of fight in a couple of contest after taking down Houston 6 -4 in game 2 of a doubleheader after losing 14-5 (5) in game 1, which was the season opener.
Texas A&M 2021 record: 6-2, 0-0 SEC Series record: UT leads the series 15-5 Last outing: No. 11 UT lost 6-4 in a 10-inning thriller in Knoxville Key player/stat: The Aggies are coming off a three-game sweep of a respected Tulsa program behind the offense of Haley Lee who leads the league in homeruns per game (0.62), seventh nationally. Junior Lee also paces the conference in slugging percentage with 1.167 average – that number ranks 14th in the country. Collectively, the Aggies 0.38 triples per game rank fourth in the SEC and 25th nationally.
Earlier this week, Miranda Lambert posted to her social media “We don’t know what we’re doing, but we know we’re supposed to be doing it.” and tagged Jack Ingram and Jon Randall.
Now we know what the trio was doing…working on a new music project!
Today Miranda announced a new album, The Marfa Tapes.
Talking about the new music collection Miranda says, “They’re raw. You can hear the wind blowing, the cows mooing… We wanted you to feel like you were right there with us, sitting around the campfire, escaping the world, disappearing into the music.”
Fans can check out the first song from The Marfa Tapes, — The album arrives May 7th — watch the music video for “In His Arms,” right here
For those unfamiliar with Marfa – it’s a city in the high desert of the Trans-Pecos in far West Texas, between the Davis Mountains and Big Bend National Park.
Miranda shares, “Every time I need an escape, I go to Marfa, TX. Jack Ingram, and Jon Randall come. We recharge. We get inspired by its beauty. We write songs.”
Turns out that Miranda has included songs that she’s written in Marfa on her last two albums, The Weight of These Wings and Wildcard. She says, “‘Tin Man’ was the 1st one we shared with you. ‘Tequila Does’ was the 2nd. In between, we’ve written 13 more. And it’s about time to start sharing them with y’all…”
For fans that want to have The Marfa Tapes on vinyl, you can preorder it here: ml.lnk.to/TheMarfaTapespre
The Frontmen of Country features 3 lead singers who ruled the 90s with hit after hit — Richie McDonald, Tim Rushlow, and Larry Stewart.
Richie recently stepped down from his lead singing duties in Lonestar to join onto The Frontmen full-time. Richie says, “I’ve been with Lonestar for almost 30 years and have enjoyed my time with the guys…with everything that has happened in the past year, it has made me think about other things I want to do in life. This opportunity with The Frontmen came up and I’ve decided to go a new direction. I’ve always enjoyed performing with Tim and Larry and I can’t wait to see how this new chapter unfolds.”
Larry Stewart, of Restless Heart, says that performing with Tim and Richie is not a new thing — but that was as separate groups. Now that the guys are together as one, he shares, “Touring the United States for country music fans coast-to-coast, backed by a world class band, performing hit after hit, will be exciting and something we have never done together. I’m looking forward to hitting the stage with these two great singers!”
Tim Rushlow of Little Texas thinks this new Super-Group will be a hit with fans, “I don’t know that I have ever seen three lead vocalists on a tour like this. There’s a common thread that runs through our collective catalog of hits and it will be awesome to sing them all in one concert event!” Tim added, “We are ecstatic to have this amazing opportunity to bring this show on the road and celebrate the music of three of the biggest bands from the ’90s in one night.”
With a pair of shows next month, The Frontmen’s schedule really picks up in the Fall…
April 16 – Grant, OK – Choctaw Casino Resort
April 17 – Sonora, TX – JL Bar Ranch and Resort
Sept 18 – Orange Park, FL – Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts
Sept 25 – Farmington, NM – Farmington Civic Center Theatre
Sept 27 – Yakima, WA – Central Washington State Fair
Oct 1 – Flint, MI – The Capitol Theatre
Oct 2 – Bristol, VA – The Cameo Theater
Oct 8 – Eau Claire, WI – Pablo Center at the Confluence
Oct 9 – Springfield, MO – Gillioz Theatre
Oct 23 – Tracy, CA – Grand Theatre Center for the Arts
Oct 29 – Buda, TX – Buck’s Backyard
Oct 30 – Hinton, OK – Sugar Creek Casino
Nov 4 – Whitecap, SK – Dakota Dunes Casino
Nov 5 – Calgary, AB – The Grey Eagle Event Centre
Nov 6 – Rama, ON – Casino Rama Entertainment Centre
Nov 11 – Green Bay, WI – Meyer Theatre
Nov 12 – Milwaukee, WI – The Northern Lights Theater
Nov 13 – Tonawanda, NY – Riviera Theatre and Performing Arts Center
Nov 14 – Warsaw, IN – Wagon Wheel Theatre
It’s not just music of the past bringing Richie, Tim and Larry together — fans who head out to see The Frontmen, will also get to hear their new song too, “If It Wasn’t For The Radio.”
For more info on Richie, Larry and Tim’s new group, check out them out at The Frontmen Of Country and you can listen to their song “If It Wasn’t For the Radio” right here…
Austin City Limits has become a fan and country music artist favorite.
The program, which launched in 1974, as attracted every country music act you can think of to its stage, and along the way has developed a strong and loyal fanbase.
Over the years the Austin City Limits stage has be graced by country music legends like Loretta Lynn, Marty Robbins, Charley Pride, Waylon Jennings, Alan Jackson, Vince Gill, Dolly Parton, and Garth Brooks, to name a few.
It’s proud tradition continues with stars like Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley, Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, and Chris Stapleton…all making ACL a must-do on their career check-list.
During Woman’s History Month, Austin City Limits honors the female country artists that have appeared on the program over the years…
Now for fans looking to relive those amazing moments from Austin City Limits – they partnered with Time Life to create a massive collection of 164 live uncut performances dating from 1974 to 2018 — and the collection includes the original 1974 pilot episode of the series featuring the one and only Willie Nelson.
Check out this preview of the collection…
Time Life cordially invites country music fans everywhere to experience these wonderful performances, collaborations, bonus interviews, and more on 10 DVDs and an exclusive collectible memory book. For more info, head to TimeLife.com/ACL,
Photo Courtesy of Austin City Limits and Time Life.
While many artists have had to adapt their ways of doing their jobs, and finding music…for Blake Shelton, it turns out that he’s been getting socially distanced music for a decade now.
Blake says “Finding music is no different during this pandemic, and the shutdown and quarantine phase…it’s no different than it’s been the last ten years, because I don’t live in Nashville, I live in Oklahoma, and then when I’m not there, I’m traveling, or I’m in LA filming The Voice. So, most of the music is either emailed to me, or sent to me on a disc, that I just listen to on my own time. So, that part of it hasn’t been much different.”
Blake and Gwen Stefani are nominated for ACM Music Event of the Year for one of those socially distanced discovered songs – “Nobody But You.” Find out if they take home the trophy for it when the ACM Awards air on April 18th
Until then you can check out the music video for their track right here…
ACM Female Vocalist of the Year nominee Ashley McBryde thinks that it’s OK to be a little uncomfortable when you listen to her ACM nominated Song of the Year “One Night Standards” from her ACM nominated Album of the Year, Never Will.
Ashley says, “’One Night Standards’ was an exercise in honesty…and it can be a little uncomfortable at times, but I think almost any of us, could stand to be a little uncomfortable for at least 3 and half minutes – especially when it comes to honesty.”
Ashley McBryde has 4 nominations going into this year’s ACM Awards, Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year for “One Night Standards” – which she’s nominated for as performer and songwriter. Check out the ACM Awards on April 18th to see which award Ashley brings home.
Check out the video for “One Night Standards” right here…which when you string the videos for “One Night Standards,” “Martha Divine” and “Hang In There Girl,” Ashley might think about an Oscar nom.
Shy Carter‘s single “Good Love” is at country radio right now, and next Friday you can catch it on Today!
When Shy got to break the news about performing on the 3rd hour of the Today on March 12th, he shared “Woooooooooo!!!!! Hallelujah!!! The TODAY show!!!! I’m so so grateful!! It’s gonna be fun!! Thanks to everyone who has helped make this happen!!!”
Shy also added, “I’m beyond excited to be on the TODAY Show. I’m extremely grateful that this legendary show is welcoming me to come and sing. It means the world to me, and we are going to be performing a very special acoustic version of ‘Good Love.’ I can’t wait! Wooo!”
Talking about the track Shy says, “This song, ‘Good Love,’ is all about somebody really being there for you when you feel like you can’t make it. When you feel you’re dying…you’re on your last breath, they come around and they show you that kind of love, and that kind of compassion and let you know that they won’t let you fall. That they’ll bring you through, and it brings you back to life. It gives you new energy, new hope, new passion, and this song is a testament to those kind of people coming through for you.”
Make sure to check out Shy on Today on the 12th, but until then you can check out the music video for his “Good Love” right here…
