NO SIR EEE
The Sultan Of Swat
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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Top-ranked Tennessee hosts Bellarmine for its lone home game this week on Tuesday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. First pitch between the Vols and Knights is set for 6:30 p.m.
The Vols are coming off another series win last weekend, taking two of three games from No. 24 Alabama after dropping the series opener on Friday night.
BROADCAST INFO
Tuesday's game will be streamed live on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app with Andy Brock calling the action. 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.
PROJECTED STARTING PITCHERS
LHP Zander Sechrist (2-0, 2.08 ERA) vs. RHP Drew Buhr (0-2, 6.00 ERA)
SERIES HISTORY
Overall: First Meeting
In Knoxville: 0-0
In Louisville: 0-0
Neutral Sites: 0-0
Last Meeting: N/A
Tuesday will mark the first-ever meeting between Tennessee and Bellarmine, who is in the midst of its second season of Division I competition after transitioning from Division II following the 2020 season.
NOTABLE
Ortega Named SEC Player of the Week
UT second baseman Jorel Ortega was named the Southeastern Conference Player of the Week after ranking among the league leaders in a handful of offensive categories. Ortega led the SEC with a .563 batting average for the week and also tied for the league lead with nine hits, recording at least one base knock in all four games played and three multi-hit performances. He also tied for second in the SEC with six runs scored last week, scoring at least once in every game. His 17 total bases ranked third in the conference, as well.
Ortega is the second Vols to earn SEC Player of the Week honors this season, joining fellow infielder Trey Lipscomb. For more info on Ortega's weekly honor, click HERE.
More SEC Benchmarks
With Sunday's win over Alabama, the Vols improved to 14-1 in SEC play and won their fifth straight series against conference foes this year. Tennessee joined elite company with its 14-1 SEC start, becoming just the sixth team all time to achieve that feat and the first since Vanderbilt in 2013. UT was actually the first program to reach that mark, doing so in 1951. That squad was the only one ever to start 16-1 in SEC play.
Lipscomb Putting Up Monster Numbers
Senior third baseman Trey Lipscomb has put together a breakout season and ranks among the nation's top hitters this year. After homering twice and driving in five runs in Sunday's win over the Tide, Lipscomb now ranks third in the nation with 57 RBIs and five nationally with 15 long balls. Lipscomb also leads the SEC in both of those categories as well as total bases (111) and has driven in at least five runs in three different games this season, while no other Vol has done so more than once.
OPPONENT SCOUT
Bellarmine Knights
- Record: 7-28 (5-10 ASUN)
- 2021 Postseason: N/A
- 2022 ASUN Preseason Poll: 11th
- Head Coach: Larry Owens (9th year)
- Preseason Conference Honors:
- OF Matt Higgins (1st team)
- Stat Leaders:
- Batting Avg: Matt Higgins (.356)
- Runs: Matt Higgins (40)
- Hits: Matt Higgins (48)
- Home Runs: Matt Higgins (12)
- RBI: Matt Higgins (43)
- Stolen Bases: Matt Higgins (13)
- Wins: Braunecker/Pender (2)
- Saves: Ecklar/Parrish (1)
- ERA (min. 15 IP): Gavin Braunecker (4.50)
- WHIP (min. 15 IP): Gavin Braunecker (1.35)
- Innings Pitched: Nolan Pender (56.1)
- Strikeouts: Gavin Braunecker (44)
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I gotta admit, I had to look at this a second or third time to see it. lol
