NO SIR EEE
The Sultan Of Swat
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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 2 Tennessee begins its SEC slate this Friday night as the Volunteers host eastern division foe South Carolina to kick off a three-game series at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. The Vols enter SEC play on an eight-game winning streak after going 5-0 last week and starting this week with a 7-1 victory over Eastern Kentucky on Tuesday.
BROADCAST INFO
Friday and Sunday's games will be streamed live on SEC Network+ with Andy Brock (PxP) and Charlie Puleo (color) calling the action. Saturday's game will be broadcast on the SEC Network with John Schriffen (PxP) and VFL Chris Burke (color) on the call.
The online broadcast 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 call the games on the Vol Network (FM 99.1/AM 990) as well as UTSports.com and the Tennessee Athletics App.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE/PROJECTED STARTING PITCHERS
Game 1 – Friday, March 18 (6:30 p.m.)
RHP Chase Burns (3-0, 0.45 ERA) vs. RHP Noah Hall (0-2, 9.42 ERA)
Game 2 – Saturday, March 19 (12 p.m.)
RHP Chase Dollander (2-0, 3.79 ERA) vs. RHP Will Sanders (3-0, 2.52 ERA)
Game 3 – Sunday, March 20 (1 p.m.)
RHP Drew Beam (3-0, 1.59 ERA) vs. LHP Matthew Becker (1-0, 2.25 ERA)
SERIES HISTORY
Overall: South Carolina leads, 66-40
In Knoxville: South Carolina leads, 24-22
In Columbia: South Carolina leads, 39-16
Neutral Sites: South Carolina leads, 3-2
Last Meeting: W, 5-4 (May 22, 2021)
After playing each other to close the regular season in 2021, the Vols and Gamecocks will meet to open SEC play this year. After getting swept in three straight series from 2016-18, Tennessee has won its series against Carolina in each of the past two years.
NOTABLE
Climbing in the Polls
The Vols continued their climb in the rankings after going 5-0 last week. Tennessee is ranked as high as No. 2 in the nation this week by Collegiate Baseball News and is a consensus top 10 team overall. UT's No. 2 ranking is tied for the highest ever in program history.
SEC Opening Weekend
For the first time under head coach Tony Vitello and the first time since 2017, Tennessee opens SEC play at home. The Vols also opened conference play against South Carolina in that 2017 season. The Big Orange will be looking to notch their second straight series win on SEC Opening Weekend after taking two of three at Georgia last season.
The Vols are 5-8 in SEC openers at home since 1980 and 32-45 all-time in SEC openers. They will be looking for their first victory in an SEC opener against the Gamecocks (0-2).
Strikeout Kings
Tennessee's pitching staff has been racking up the strikeouts so far this season. Vols' pitchers totaled 60 strikeouts over their five games last week, including 15 in the second game of Friday's doubleheader against Rhode Island. UT's pitching staff has recorded double-digit strikeouts in 13 of its 17 games this season and ranks fifth nationally in strikeouts per nine innings (12.2).
Knoxville Cleaning Service
After its series sweep over Rhode Island last weekend, UT has swept three opponents already this season. Since Vitello took over as head coach in 2018, Tennessee has swept 15 weekend series (not including tournaments).
Series Sweeps by Year Under Vitello
2022: 3 | 2021: 5 | 2020: 2 | 2019: 3 | 2018: 2
KNOCKSville Bomb Squad
The Vols hit 13 more home runs last week and three on Tuesday to increase their NCAA-leading total to 46. Tennessee tied its single-game program record with seven long balls in last Wednesday's 10-2 victory over James Madison. Those seven homers came from six different players.
The Big Orange have homered at least once in 15 of its 17 games this season and have hit multiple home runs 11 times already this year. In total, 13 different players have gone deep this season and 12 of those players have hit multiple homers.
OPPONENT SCOUT
South Carolina Gamecocks
- Record: 10-6 (0-0 SEC)
- 2021 Postseason: NCAA Columbia Regional (1-2)
- 2022 SEC Preseason Poll: 5th in Eastern Division
- Head Coach: Mark Kingston (5th Season)
- Preseason Honors:
- RHP Will Sanders (Preseason All-SEC)
- Stat Leaders:
- Batting Avg: Michael Braswell (.429)
- Runs: Michael Braswell (17)
- Hits: Michael Braswell (27)
- Home Runs: Andrew Eyster/Kevin Madden (3)
- RBI: Andrew Eyster (23)
- Stolen Bases: Braylen Wimmer (5)
- Wins: Aidan Hunter/Will Sanders (3)
- Saves: Michael Braswell (3)
- ERA (min. 1 IP/G): John Gilreath (0.84)
- Innings Pitched: Will Sanders (25.0)
- Strikeouts: Will Sanders (28)
Starting with Friday's SEC opener, an exciting new area will be in place for fans this season. Friday SEC Block Parties will take place for ticketed fans on Pat Head Summitt Street for every Friday SEC contest (weather permitting). The area will only be accessible for fans with tickets to Friday's game.
Friday's SEC Block Parties will feature music, giveaways, face painting, food/beverage options, VolShop sales locations and Vol Network sponsor activations. Additionally, VFL Sterl the Pearl will join various SEC weekend games to add to the electricity in Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Food, drink, and anything else acquired at the block party can be brought inside the stadium. Gates 10A and 11 will be open for fans to use to enter the stadium. Fans may come and go from stadium to the block party as they please.
ON DECK
The Vols finish their 10-game homestand with a midweek matchup against Butler on Tuesday, March 22 at 6:30 p.m. at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Tickets for the game can be purchased by visiting AllVols.com.
