NO SIR EEE
The Sultan Of Swat
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#1 Tennessee Volunteers
(40-9) Overall (17-7) SEC
@
Vanderbilt Commodores
(33-16 Overall) (11-13) SEC
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – No. 1/1 Tennessee will look to continue its push for an SEC regular-season title this weekend when it makes the short trip west to take on in-state and conference rival No. 25/NR Vanderbilt at Hawkins Field in Nashville. The Volunteers enter the weekend having won seven consecutive SEC series, which is the longest current streak in the league, and are one game out of first place in the overall league and SEC Eastern division standings behind Kentucky. UT will also look to keep its success against in-state opponents going, as it boasts a 15-3 record against fellow Volunteer State foes since the start of the 2022 season.
Fans can also listen to the Voice of Tennessee Baseball John Wilkerson call the action all series long on the Vol Network (FM 99.1/AM 990) and its participating affiliates throughout the state. A free audio stream will also be available on UTSports.com, the Tennessee Athletics App and the Varsity App.
GAME 2: RHP Drew Beam (12 GS, 6-2, 3.39 ERA) vs. LHP Carter Holton (11 GS, 6-3, 4.88 ERA)
GAME 3: LHP Zander Sechrist (12 GS, 1-0, 4.14 ERA) vs. TBA
in Knoxville: Vols lead, 100-60-1
in Nashville: Commodores lead, 100-79-1
at Neutral Sites: Vols lead, 6-3
Last 10 Meetings: Vols lead, 8-2
Last Meeting: W, 10-5 – April 23, 2023 in Knoxville
After a prolonged period of success by Vandy, the Big Orange have dominated the series as of late, winning seven consecutive games against their in-state rival with back-to-back series sweeps in 2022 and 2023, as well as a victory in Hoover during their 2022 SEC Tournament title run. UT's seven-game win streak is its longest in the series since recording eight straight victories from May 8, 1993 through May 19, 1994.
Christian Moore is having an SEC Player of the Year caliber season for the Big Orange. The junior second baseman leads the league with a .430 batting average and 46 hits in conference play while ranking second in slugging percentage (.907), home runs (15) and total bases (97) and third in RBIs (32).
Moore was named the NCBWA National Player of the Month for April after leading the team in numerous offensive categories, including batting average (.452), runs (20), hits (28), doubles (five), home runs (10), RBIs (27), total bases (63), slugging percentage (1.016) and on-base percentage (.507).
The Brooklyn, New York, native, also led the SEC in hits, while ranking second in RBIs and slugging percentage to help lead Tennessee to a stellar 13-3 record for the month with series wins over Auburn, No. 25 LSU, No. 3 Kentucky and Missouri.
SEC Success Under Vitello
During the five-plus seasons in which Tennessee has played SEC games under head coach Tony Vitello, the Vols are 104-70 in league play. In the six full seasons prior to Vitello taking over (2012-17), UT was 81-120 in SEC play.
The Vols are 78-36 in SEC regular-season play since 2021, which is the best record in the league in that span, three games better than Arkansas (75-39). Including postseason games, the Vols are 86-39 against SEC foes since 2021. UT has posted 15 series sweeps in conference play under Vitello: 2024 (2), 2023 (3), 2022 (6), 2021 (2), 2019 (1), 2018 (1). In the six year's prior to Vitello taking over, (2012-17) Tennessee swept just two SEC series.
Bullpen Locking It Down
Over their past four series, Tennessee's bullpen has a 2.78 ERA in 68.0 innings with 80 strikeouts and just 16 walks while holding opposing hitters to a .234 batting average.
Last weekend in Gainesville, Vols' relievers posted an 18-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio and did not give up an earned run in 13.0 innings of work. During UT's series sweep of Missouri (4/25-4/27), the bullpen allowed just one run over 13.0 innings pitched for a 0.69 ERA while combining for 11 strikeouts and just four walks.
Success on Sundays, Series Finales & Rubber Games
UT has played some of its best baseball on Sundays, posting an 9-1 record on Sunday this year. The Vols are also 11-1 in series finales this season after last Saturday's 16-3 run-rule victory at Florida to win the series.
After an unusual season in 2023 where they only played two rubber games all year, six of the Vols' eight SEC series so far this season have featured a rubber game. Tennessee is 5-1 in those games, having won five consecutive decisive game threes against the likes of No. 18 Ole Miss, No. 22 Georgia, Auburn, No. 3 Kentucky and Florida. Under Vitello (2018-pres.), the Vols are an impressive 18-10 in rubber games including a 17-9 mark in SEC play.
(40-9) Overall (17-7) SEC
@
Vanderbilt Commodores
(33-16 Overall) (11-13) SEC
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – No. 1/1 Tennessee will look to continue its push for an SEC regular-season title this weekend when it makes the short trip west to take on in-state and conference rival No. 25/NR Vanderbilt at Hawkins Field in Nashville. The Volunteers enter the weekend having won seven consecutive SEC series, which is the longest current streak in the league, and are one game out of first place in the overall league and SEC Eastern division standings behind Kentucky. UT will also look to keep its success against in-state opponents going, as it boasts a 15-3 record against fellow Volunteer State foes since the start of the 2022 season.
BROADCAST INFO
Kevin Ingram (PxP) and Andrew Harris (analyst) will have the call for Friday's series opener on SEC Network+ at 7 p.m. ET before Tom Hart (PxP) and VFL Chris Burke (analyst) call the action for a pair of national TV broadcasts on Saturday (3 p.m. ET on SEC Network) and Sunday (3 p.m. ET on ESPN2).Fans can also listen to the Voice of Tennessee Baseball John Wilkerson call the action all series long on the Vol Network (FM 99.1/AM 990) and its participating affiliates throughout the state. A free audio stream will also be available on UTSports.com, the Tennessee Athletics App and the Varsity App.
PROBABLE STARTING PITCHERS
GAME 1: LHP Chris Stamos (4 GS, 3-0, 3.32 ERA) vs. RHP Bryce Cunningham (12 GS, 6-3, 4.36 ERA)GAME 2: RHP Drew Beam (12 GS, 6-2, 3.39 ERA) vs. LHP Carter Holton (11 GS, 6-3, 4.88 ERA)
GAME 3: LHP Zander Sechrist (12 GS, 1-0, 4.14 ERA) vs. TBA
SERIES HISTORY
Overall: Vols lead, 185-163-2in Knoxville: Vols lead, 100-60-1
in Nashville: Commodores lead, 100-79-1
at Neutral Sites: Vols lead, 6-3
Last 10 Meetings: Vols lead, 8-2
Last Meeting: W, 10-5 – April 23, 2023 in Knoxville
After a prolonged period of success by Vandy, the Big Orange have dominated the series as of late, winning seven consecutive games against their in-state rival with back-to-back series sweeps in 2022 and 2023, as well as a victory in Hoover during their 2022 SEC Tournament title run. UT's seven-game win streak is its longest in the series since recording eight straight victories from May 8, 1993 through May 19, 1994.
NOTABLE
C-Mo Making Strong Case for SEC Player of the YearChristian Moore is having an SEC Player of the Year caliber season for the Big Orange. The junior second baseman leads the league with a .430 batting average and 46 hits in conference play while ranking second in slugging percentage (.907), home runs (15) and total bases (97) and third in RBIs (32).
Moore was named the NCBWA National Player of the Month for April after leading the team in numerous offensive categories, including batting average (.452), runs (20), hits (28), doubles (five), home runs (10), RBIs (27), total bases (63), slugging percentage (1.016) and on-base percentage (.507).
The Brooklyn, New York, native, also led the SEC in hits, while ranking second in RBIs and slugging percentage to help lead Tennessee to a stellar 13-3 record for the month with series wins over Auburn, No. 25 LSU, No. 3 Kentucky and Missouri.
SEC Success Under Vitello
During the five-plus seasons in which Tennessee has played SEC games under head coach Tony Vitello, the Vols are 104-70 in league play. In the six full seasons prior to Vitello taking over (2012-17), UT was 81-120 in SEC play.
The Vols are 78-36 in SEC regular-season play since 2021, which is the best record in the league in that span, three games better than Arkansas (75-39). Including postseason games, the Vols are 86-39 against SEC foes since 2021. UT has posted 15 series sweeps in conference play under Vitello: 2024 (2), 2023 (3), 2022 (6), 2021 (2), 2019 (1), 2018 (1). In the six year's prior to Vitello taking over, (2012-17) Tennessee swept just two SEC series.
Bullpen Locking It Down
Over their past four series, Tennessee's bullpen has a 2.78 ERA in 68.0 innings with 80 strikeouts and just 16 walks while holding opposing hitters to a .234 batting average.
Last weekend in Gainesville, Vols' relievers posted an 18-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio and did not give up an earned run in 13.0 innings of work. During UT's series sweep of Missouri (4/25-4/27), the bullpen allowed just one run over 13.0 innings pitched for a 0.69 ERA while combining for 11 strikeouts and just four walks.
Success on Sundays, Series Finales & Rubber Games
UT has played some of its best baseball on Sundays, posting an 9-1 record on Sunday this year. The Vols are also 11-1 in series finales this season after last Saturday's 16-3 run-rule victory at Florida to win the series.
After an unusual season in 2023 where they only played two rubber games all year, six of the Vols' eight SEC series so far this season have featured a rubber game. Tennessee is 5-1 in those games, having won five consecutive decisive game threes against the likes of No. 18 Ole Miss, No. 22 Georgia, Auburn, No. 3 Kentucky and Florida. Under Vitello (2018-pres.), the Vols are an impressive 18-10 in rubber games including a 17-9 mark in SEC play.
OPPONENT SCOUT
Vanderbilt Commodores (33-16, 11-13 SEC)- Head Coach: Tim Corbin (22nd season)
- 2023 Postseason: NCAA Nashville Regional (1-2)
- Rankings: D1Baseball – NR | USA Today – RV | Baseball America – NR | NCBWA – 25 | Perfect Game – NR
- 2024 SEC Preseason Poll: 3rd in Eastern Division
- Preseason All-Conference Selections (2)
- SS Jonathan Vastine (2nd Team)
- LHP Carter Holton (2nd Team)
- Stat Leaders:
- Batting Avg: Jayden Davis (.319)
- Runs: RJ Austin (41)
- Hits: RJ Austin (60)
- Home Runs: Alan Espinal (9)
- RBI: RJ Austin (47)
- Stolen Bases: RJ Austin (21)
- Wins: B. Cunningham / C. Holton (6)
- Saves: R. Ginther / B. Seiber (4)
- ERA (min. 20 IP): Miller Green (2.19)
- Innings Pitched: Bryce Cunningham (64.0)
- Strikeouts: Cater Holton (89)
ON DECK
The Vols finish the regular season with four home games next week, starting with their final midweek contest of the year against another in-state foe in Belmont on Tuesday at 5 p.m. UT will then host No. 13/13 South Carolina for a Thursday-Saturday series at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
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